1-Creating Tiramisu Brownies: begins with preparing the espresso-infused base, which takes about 1 hour for prep, followed by 25 minutes of baking and 30 minutes of cooling for a total of roughly 1 hour and 55 minutes. Start by melting the salted butter and 14 ounces of coarsely chopped 70% bittersweet chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, stirring until smooth and glossy. In a separate large bowl, beat 5 large eggs with 1 cup packed dark brown sugar, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt (or ½ teaspoon if iodized), and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is thick and pale, incorporating that essential espresso punch from 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder.

2-Once the chocolate mixture has cooled slightly, gently fold it into the egg mixture to maintain its airy texture. Then, sift in 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder, and the espresso powder, folding carefully to avoid overmixing. Pour this batter into a parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking pan and bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes, until the top cracks slightly and feels soft to the touch don’t overbake to keep that fudgy consistency. After baking, let the brownies cool completely on a wire rack, which helps set the structure for the next layers.

3-For the espresso mascarpone cream, beat 8 ounces mascarpone cheese with 1 cup heavy cream until combined, then add ¼ cup granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, and 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder. Whip this until soft peaks form, about 1-2 minutes; to prevent thinning, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks separately and gently fold it into the mascarpone mixture. Spread this cream evenly over the cooled brownies and dust generously with 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. For best results, refrigerate before serving, and consider preparing the cream a day ahead for enhanced flavor melding. If you’re looking for more baking inspiration, check out our banana chocolate chip muffins recipe for additional treat ideas.