Thai Tea Tiramisu
A stunning global fusion dessert: ladyfingers soaked in spiced Thai black tea, layered with creamy mascarpone cheese.
4.8 · 45 kitchen ratings
Published July 14, 2026 · By Julian Vance
Fusion of East and West
This Thai Tea Tiramisu is a prime example of culinary fusion. By substituting the traditional espresso soak with a spiced, sweetened black Thai tea concentrate, we create a dessert that is creamy, herbal, and sweet.
We tested multiple ratios of condensed milk to black tea to replicate the exact sweetness profile of a traditional iced Thai tea. Folded with rich Italian mascarpone, it creates a dessert that is light, aromatic, and incredibly delicious.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Intriguing Global Fusion: The aromatic cardamom and vanilla notes of Thai tea elevate the classic Italian dessert.
- Beautiful Contrast: Golden tea-soaked ladyfingers look stunning against the white mascarpone layers.
- No Eggs Required: A simpler, egg-free cream layer that stays perfectly whipped.
Health Benefits
- Polyphenols: Black tea leaves contain antioxidants that support heart and vascular health.
- Sustained Energy: Mascarpone provides healthy fats that slow down glucose absorption.
- Low Refined Sugar: Uses condensed milk and powdered sugar sparingly to balance flavors.
Pro-Tips for Perfection
- Brew it Strong: Thai tea must be brewed extremely strong. The flavor will dilutes once soaked into the cookies and paired with cream.
- Quick Cookie Dipping: Dip ladyfingers quickly. Soaking them for too long makes them turn mushy and weep liquid into the cream.
- Overnight is Best: Let the tiramisu sit in the fridge overnight. This gives the ladyfingers time to absorb moisture and soften into a cake-like texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular black tea?
You can use regular black tea, but you will lose the signature vanilla, star anise, and orange blossom notes that make Thai tea unique.
How long does tiramisu keep in the fridge?
Tiramisu will keep in the refrigerator covered for up to 4 days. It actually tastes best on days 2 and 3.
Can I make this dessert gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute traditional ladyfingers with gluten-free ladyfingers, which are widely available in health food stores.
Thai Tea Tiramisu
20m
10m
8
380 kcal
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Carbs
- 36 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Estimates only—values vary by brand and portion. Disclaimer
Ingredients
- 4 Thai tea bags or 1/2 cup loose Thai tea leaves
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 24 ladyfinger cookies (savoiardi)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder or Thai tea powder for dusting
Instructions
- 1
Brew the Thai tea leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes to create a very strong concentrate. Strain and stir in the condensed milk. Let cool completely.
- 2
In a medium bowl, whisk the mascarpone cheese until smooth.
- 3
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- 4
Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone cheese in batches until smooth and uniform.
- 5
Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled Thai tea concentrate (about 1-2 seconds per side) and arrange in a single layer at the bottom of an 8x8 inch baking dish.
- 6
Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the ladyfingers.
- 7
Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers and top with the remaining mascarpone cream.
- 8
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- 9
Dust with cocoa powder or ground Thai tea powder right before slicing and serving.
Kitchen Notes
Private notes stored in your browser (substitutions, timing tweaks, serving ideas). Not published publicly.
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