Creamy, rich, and full of aromatic spices, this Masala Chai Tiramisu is a slice of heaven! A no-fuss, eggless, no-bake dessert that's as well-loved as the classic easy tiramisu!
Masala chai tiramisu is a fun twist on the classic tiramisu. It incorporates an exquisite mix of spices - chai masala, popularly used to make Indian masala tea. The flavor of these spices comes through with every bite, but without overwhelming your taste buds.
I used black tea brewed with chai spices instead of coffee for soaking the ladyfinger cookies and also added the spice mix to the eggless mascarpone cheese filling. Bringing all the elements of the chai tiramisu is a breeze, really! Once you have the cheese filling, soaking liquid, and the cookies, the tiramisu comes together in minutes.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Chai tiramisu is a creamy, decadent no-bake dessert that is well loved by everyone- kids and adults alike.
- The chai masala flavors make this tiramisu so cozy and comforting.
- Making this eggless, alcohol-free tiramisu is really effortless and simple.
- It's a wonderful make-ahead dessert. Making it a day in advance also helps the flavors of the chai masala meld and shine.
- You can easily halve or double the recipe depending on the number of people you're serving it to.
Recipe Ingredients
Chai Masala: I love to make my chai spice blend at home. It takes no more than 5 minutes to grind up cardamom, fennel seeds, black peppercorn, cloves, and cinnamon along with ginger and nutmeg powder. You can use store-bought chai masala too.
Black tea: You can use black tea bags or loose tea leaves. My favorite brands to use are Twinning Assam Tea, Brooke Bond, and Wagh Bakri Tea.
Ladyfingers: I used store-bought because it saves time and they’re easily available. You can make them at home or use pound cake, sponge cake, or even homemade rusk instead.
Mascarpone cheese: This rich, velvety Italian cheese is perfect for making tiramisu. Make sure it's at room temperature so it blends quickly and well. You can use softened cream cheese as a substitute.
Whipping cream: Use chilled heavy cream for this recipe. I like to lightly whip the cream before adding it to the mascarpone cheese filling.
Sugar: I use icing or powdered sugar.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Masala Chai Tiramisu
Step 1: Add water to a saucepan. Bring it to a boil and add sugar, chai masala, and 2 tea bags. Brew for 5-7 minutes.
Step 2: Strain the sweetened black tea into a shallow bowl and let it cool.
Step 3: Combine mascarpone cheese, whipping cream, sugar, and chai masala in a large bowl.
Step 4: With a hand whisk or electric beater, whisk the ingredients until light and well combined.
Step 5: Dip the ladyfinger cookies in the cooled black tea, one at a time. Arrange them in a single layer.
Step 6: Evenly spread half of the chai-spiced mascarpone cheese filling on the cookie layer.
Step 7: Arrange another layer of chai-dipped ladyfingers on top.
Step 8: Spread the remaining mascarpone cheese filling on top of the cookies.
Step 9: Smoothen the mascarpone cheese mixture. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
Step 10: Dust with cocoa powder and serve!
Pro Tips
- Make sure your mascarpone cheese is at room temperature. That helps in making a smoother mixture faster and more easily.
- Sift your confectioner's sugar (icing sugar) if it's lumpy. You don't want sugar lumps in the creamy chai-spiced cheese filling.
- You can also whip the cream before adding it to the mascarpone mixture. If you do that, mix the ingredients with a spatula. You don't want to overbeat the cheese-cream mixture.
- You can add more chai masala to the black tea and mascarpone cheese mixture if you prefer a stronger flavor.
- You can add 3-4 tea bags if you like your black tea very strong.
- To avoid soggy cookies, give the cookies a quick dip in the cooled black tea, for about 1-2 seconds.
Masala Chai Tiramisu Recipe FAQs
Black tea is the best for this recipe for chai tiramisu. My favorite brands are Wagh Bakri, Brook Bond, and Twinnings Assam Tea. These are all easily available online or in Indian grocery stores. You can use tea bags or loose tea.
Italian ladyfingers are the best for making tiramisu. But you can use Lotus Biscoff like I did for my Biscoff Tiramisu. You can also use rusk or pound cake.
Yes, you can stir in Marsala wine, dark rum, or even Bourbon to the cooled black tea.
📖 Recipe
Masala Chai Tiramisu
Ingredients
- 20-24 Ladyfinger cookies
Spiced Black Tea
- 1.5 cup Water
- 1.5 tsp Chai masala
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tea bags Black tea You can also use 2 tbsp loose black tea.
Chai Spiced Mascarpone Filling
- 17 oz Mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup Confectioner's sugar
- 1.5 tsp Chai masala
- 3/4 cup Whipping cream
- Cocoa powder for dusting on top
Instructions
Spiced Black Tea
- Add water to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and add sugar, chai masala, and 2 tea bags. Let the tea brew for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from the stove, strain into a shallow bowl, and let it cool.
Chai Spiced Mascarpone Filling
- Add mascarpone cheese, sugar, chai masala, and whipping cream to a large mixing bowl.
- With an electric beater or hand whisk, whisk the ingredients for 2-3 minutes until well combined and light.
Assembly
- Dip the ladyfinger cookies in the cooled black tea, one at a time.
- Arrange the soaked cookies in a single layer in your serving dish.
- Evenly spread half of the chai spiced mascarpone cheese filling on the cookie layer.
- Repeat with another layer of chai-soaked cookies and spread out the rest of the filling on top of the second layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
- Dust with cocoa powder and serve. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can use homemade chai masala/chai spice or store-bought one.
- You can add more chai masala to the black tea and mascarpone cheese mixture if you prefer a stronger flavor.
- You can add 3-4 tea bags if you like your black tea very strong.
- Make sure your mascarpone cheese is at room temperature. That helps in making a smoother mixture faster and more easily.
- You can whip the cream before adding it to the mascarpone mixture. If you do that, mix the ingredients with a spatula. You don't want to overbeat the cheese-cream mixture.
- Sift your confectioner's sugar (icing sugar) if it's lumpy. You don't want sugar lumps in the cheese filling.
Natasha Minocha says
This chai tiramisu is such a hit in my house! I've already made it 4 times for my parties this festive season and everyone LOVES it!