Spiced Chai Espresso Tiramisu
Indulge in the delightful layers of our Spiced Chai Espresso Tiramisu. This unique dessert combines the bold flavors of traditional tiramisu with aromatic chai spices, espresso, and creamy mascarpone cheese. Each bite transports you to a cozy café with rich coffee and the warm, inviting scent of spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Perfect for gatherings or a special treat, this dessert is sure to impress your guests while satisfying your sweet tooth. Serve chilled and enjoy a harmonious blend of flavors in every delicious spoonful.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
2 cups (none)
Chai Tea Bags
2 (none)
Cloves
8 (none)
Cardamom Pods
4 (lightly crushed)
Slices of Ginger
4 (fresh)
Star Anise
1 (none)
Cinnamon Sticks
2 (none)
Brown Sugar
1/3 cup (none)
Espresso Powder
3 tablespoons (none)
Mascarpone Cheese
16 ounces (none)
Heavy Cream
1 3/4 cups (chilled)
Sugar
4 tablespoons (none)
Ladyfingers
7 ounces (none)
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2-3 tablespoons (for dusting)
Instructions
1
In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the chai tea bags, cloves, crushed cardamom pods, ginger slices, star anise, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, and espresso powder. Stir well and allow to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and steep for an additional 10 minutes. Strain the mixture to remove the solids and set aside to cool.
2
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, whisk the chilled heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
3
Gently fold the mascarpone cheese into the whipped cream until fully combined. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream.
4
Now it's time to assemble your tiramisu! Begin by dipping each ladyfinger into the cooled chai mixture, allowing them to soak briefly but not become overly soggy.
5
Arrange a layer of the soaked ladyfingers in the bottom of a trifle bowl or a serving dish.
6
Spread a generous layer of the whipped cream and mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.
7
Repeat the layering process: add another layer of soaked ladyfingers followed by the cream mixture, and then a final layer of soaked ladyfingers on top.
8
Finish with a piping of the remaining whipped cream and mascarpone mixture on the top layer.
9
Cover the tiramisu and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
10
Before serving, dust the top generously with unsweetened cocoa powder for an elegant finish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Chai Espresso Tiramisu?
It is a layered dessert that combines traditional tiramisu elements like mascarpone and ladyfingers with the aromatic flavors of chai spices and bold espresso.
What spices are needed for the soaking liquid?
The recipe calls for cloves, cardamom pods, fresh ginger slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks.
How long should I boil the chai and spice mixture?
The mixture should be boiled for 5 minutes after adding the tea bags, spices, sugar, and espresso powder.
Does the chai tea need to steep after boiling?
Yes, remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to steep for an additional 10 minutes.
Should I leave the whole spices in the liquid?
No, you should strain the mixture to remove the solids and tea bags before allowing the liquid to cool.
How much espresso powder is used in this recipe?
This recipe requires 3 tablespoons of espresso powder.
What type of ginger should I use?
The recipe specifies using 4 fresh slices of ginger.
How do I prepare the cardamom pods?
The 4 cardamom pods should be lightly crushed before being added to the boiling water.
How do I make the cream filling?
Whisk chilled heavy cream until soft peaks form, add sugar until stiff peaks form, and then gently fold in the mascarpone cheese.
How much mascarpone cheese is required?
You will need 16 ounces of mascarpone cheese.
What is the secret to a light mascarpone mixture?
The secret is to gently fold the mascarpone into the whipped cream to ensure you do not deflate the air in the cream.
How do I prevent soggy ladyfingers?
Dip each ladyfinger into the cooled chai mixture briefly; do not let them soak long enough to become overly saturated.
What kind of dish should I use for assembly?
You can use a trifle bowl or a standard serving dish to layer the tiramisu.
How many layers of ladyfingers are in this recipe?
The recipe calls for three layers of soaked ladyfingers.
How long should the tiramisu refrigerate before serving?
It should be refrigerated for at least 4 hours, though overnight is ideal for the flavors to meld.
What is the final topping for the dessert?
The dessert is finished with a dusting of 2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
How much heavy cream is needed?
The recipe uses 1 3/4 cups of chilled heavy cream.
What kind of sugar goes into the soaking liquid?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of brown sugar for the chai and espresso mixture.
Can I use regular sugar for the cream?
Yes, the recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of sugar to be added to the heavy cream.
How many chai tea bags are required?
You will need 2 chai tea bags.
How many ladyfingers are used?
The recipe calls for 7 ounces of ladyfingers.
Is this a no-bake dessert?
Yes, it is a no-bake dessert, making it an easy option for gatherings.
Do I need any special equipment?
An electric mixer is necessary to properly whisk the heavy cream and prepare the filling.
What is the liquid base for the soaking mixture?
The base starts with 2 cups of water.
How many cloves are used?
The recipe uses 8 cloves for the spice infusion.
Should the soaking liquid be hot or cold when dipping?
The liquid should be completely cooled before you begin dipping the ladyfingers.
What should the texture of the whipped cream be before adding sugar?
You should whisk the chilled heavy cream until soft peaks form before gradually adding the sugar.
Can I pipe the final cream layer?
Yes, the instructions suggest piping the remaining cream mixture on the top layer for an elegant look.
What are the key flavor profiles of this dish?
The main flavors are rich coffee, aromatic chai spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom), and creamy mascarpone.
How should the dessert be stored?
The tiramisu should be covered and kept in the refrigerator until it is ready to be served.