Azarenka, the 21-year-old eighth seed from Belarus, took full advantage of Sharapova's struggles, as the former world number one held serve just once and committed 43 unforced errors.
Azarenka had won nine straight games to take control when Sharapova dug in, finally holding serve and breaking Azarenka twice to close to 4-3 in the second set.
Once again, however, Sharapova was broken, giving Azarenka a 5-3 lead with her seventh double fault of the match.
In the next game, Sharapova saved two match points before Azarenka double-faulted on break point.
But Sharapova couldn't follow up. Azarenka gave herself a third match point with a backhand winner down the line, and Sharapova then belted a forehand into the net to give Azarenka a second Miami title to go with her victory over Serena Williams in the 2009 final.
The two Miami titles are the biggest of the Azarenka's career.
With the victory, Azarenka is projected to rise to number six in the world, the highest ranking of her career.
Although both Serena and Venus Williams missed the tournament, Azarenka's path to the final included victories over Kim Clijsters and Vera Zvonareva.
Despite her defeat, Sharapova is expected to return to the top 10 for the first time in two years.
She won three Grand Slam titles between 2004 and 2008, but has struggled to regain that form since surgery on her right shoulder late in 2008.
Since then she has won titles in Tokyo in in 2009 and Memphis and Strasbourg last year, but has yet to claim a major crown.
Sharapova also fell to 0-3 in Miami finals, adding another runner-up finish here to those in 2005 and 2006.
She has lost her last four finals appearances, yet Sharapova said the fact that she's reaching the title matches is encouraging.
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