As the winter holidays approach and you’re planning your menu or searching for the perfect treat to contribute to a holiday party, consider bringing a tea-infused cheesecake to any soiree. Indulgent and flavorful, a tea-infused cheesecake is a wonderfully creamy, tea-riffic way to satisfy sweet-tooths and create a memorable dessert experience. Try any of these recipes for a bewitching dessert hour:
1. Earl Grey and Lavender-Infused Cheesecakes
This recipe from Tea Time creates individual cheesecakes that are a great option to present guests at a large party. Interestingly, each mini cheesecake contains a vanilla wafer at the base, providing a welcome dose of flavor and crunch. Heavy whipping cream is infused with earl grey tea leaves and lavender, then cooled for an hour before combining with cream cheese, sugar, and eggs. Bake, refrigerate, and garnish with fresh lavender for a picture-perfect finish.
2. Chai Cheesecake
This recipe from Betty Crocker calls for 6 chai black tea bags to flavor the filling. Other flavors include cinnamon, orange, and vanilla. Whipped cream and orange peel twists top the cake for a creamy, colorful finale.
3. Gluten-Free & Vegan Chai Pumpkin Cheesecake
This recipe from Food Faith Fitness delivers a healthy version of the classic sweet treat. The cheesecake gets special flavor from chai tea and guilt-free ingredients like unsweetened vanilla almond milk, flax meal, roasted salted cashews, coconut sugar, and honey/agave. The crust is made with coconut flour, and a combination of pecans, sugar, and chai tea provide a sweet, crunchy topping. Pair with a chai latte if you’re a total chai enthusiast.
4. Vegan & Gluten-Free Matcha Swirl Cheesecake
This recipe from Minimalist Baker uses matcha to infuse the dessert with powerful flavor and a gorgeous green hue. Dates, walnuts, and salt create the crust, which the author praises as an “insanely delicious base.” It’s also naturally sweetened with your choice of maple syrup or agave, making it a healthier choice than artificially sweetened cheesecakes. The filling relies on coconut milk and coconut yogurt for creaminess, making this a cheesecake recipe that vegans can indulge in, too.
5. Vegan & Gluten Free Rooibos Chai Cheesecake Bites
These cheesecake bites are the perfect way to indulge without giving yourself a stomach ache. Vegan, gluten free, and flavorful, they’ll be a hit everyone can enjoy at this year’s holiday affair. The crust is made by combining pecans, dates, walnuts, and coconut oil, then pouring rooibos tea over the mixture. The filling also uses rooibos tea to infuse a combination of cashews, cream cheese, maple syrup, and chia. Finally, loose-leaf rooibos, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pecan halves are sprinkled on top of the cheesecake for a final dusting of flavor.
6. Thai Tea Cheesecake with Chocolate Crumb Crust
This recipe from She Simmers will convert anyone who’s on the fence about infusing cheesecake with tea, since it converted the author herself: “I used to say that I didn’t think tea and tangy cultured dairy products belonged together,” the author writes. “This cheesecake has proven me wrong.” The cheesecake is flavored with brewed Thai tea, a black tea that’s typically spiced with star anise, tamarind, and cardamom. The chocolate crust made from graham crackers, butter, sugar, and cocoa powder provides a sweet base.
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