This is my cozy, eggless spin on classic tiramisu! Instead of traditional espresso, ladyfinger biscuits (Löffelbiskuit) are quick-dipped into a fragrant, strongly brewed spiced chai tea. Layered with a velvety whip of mascarpone, heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar, then finished with a dusting of cardamom cocoa powder, it’s the ultimate warm-spiced, chilled no-bake dessert.
Place 1 tablespoon of loose chai (in a large tea bag) or 4 standard chai tea bags into a jug. Pour over 300ml of boiling water, stir in 1 tbsp of honey (or your preferred sweetener), and let it steep until completely cooled to room temperature.
In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until half-whipped. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue whipping until soft-to-medium peaks form.
In a separate bowl, whip the mascarpone cheese just a bit until smooth and loosened.
Add the whipped cream mixture to the loosened mascarpone and mix gently until fully combined and silky.
Quickly dip 9 ladyfingers into the cooled chai tea (2 seconds max per biscuit) and lay them side by side in the bottom of your dish. Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over the top.
Repeat by dipping the remaining 9 ladyfingers into the chai and arranging them over the first cream layer. Spread the remaining half of the cream smoothly over the top.
Mix 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder with 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom. Sift the mixture evenly over the top cream layer. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours (or overnight) before slicing and serving.
Easy Spiced Chai Tiramisu
Ingredients
Chai Soaking Liquid
- 1 tbsp loose chai tea (or 4 chai tea bags)
- 300ml boiling water
- 1 tbsp honey (or sweetener of choice)
Mascarpone Cream Layer
- 2 dl (200ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 250g mascarpone cheese, lightly loosened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 60g powdered sugar
Assembly & Topping
- 18 ladyfingers (Löffelbiskuit)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
Instructions
- Steep chai tea and 1 tbsp honey in 300ml boiling water until completely cooled, then pour into a shallow dish.
- Whip heavy cream until half-whipped, add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and finish whipping to soft peaks.
- Whip mascarpone cheese separately just a bit until smooth.
- Add the whipped cream mixture to the mascarpone and mix until combined.
- Quickly dip 9 ladyfingers (2 seconds total) into cooled chai and line the bottom of your dish.
- Spread half the cream mixture over the biscuits.
- Repeat with the remaining 9 dipped ladyfingers and top with remaining cream.
- Sift cocoa powder and ground cardamom over the top. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
- Ladyfinger Quantity: Using 18 ladyfingers total (9 per layer) creates the exact right structure for a 2-layer dish.
- Resting Time: Letting it sit in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight gives the ladyfingers time to fully absorb the spice from the chai.
- Fridge Shelf Life: Keep covered in the fridge—it stays fresh and holds its shape perfectly for up to 3 to 4 days!
Tips for Success
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Don’t Oversoak the Ladyfingers: Dip your ladyfingers into the cooled chai for just 2 seconds total—1 second per side! Over-soaking makes the base mushy instead of light and spongey.
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Cool the Chai Completely: Make sure the chai tea cools down to room temperature before dipping. Warm tea will melt the mascarpone cream layers.
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Do Not Overmix the Cream: Gently fold/whisk the mascarpone into the stiff whipping cream until just combined. Over-whisking can cause mascarpone to split or become runny.
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Resting & Storage: Let it chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving so the biscuits soften properly. It will stay fresh and delicious stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days!
Why You’ll Love This Dish
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Eggless & Effortless: Made without raw eggs, making the cream layer stable, light, and super beginner-friendly.
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Cozy Chai Flavor: Strong brewed loose chai brings an aromatic, warm spice note that pairs beautifully with rich cream.
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100% No-Bake: Perfect for preparing ahead of time without ever turning on the oven.
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Unique Cardamom Finish: A sifted blend of cocoa powder and ground cardamom on top elevates every single bite.
