Baking with Black Tea: Elevate Your Desserts with a Flavorful Twist

Black tea isn't just for sipping, it’s the best tea for baking! Infusing black tea into cookies, cakes, and other desserts adds a rich depth of flavor, making each bite more aromatic and complex. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting, these black tea-infused deserts will elevate your baking game.

Why Bake with Black Tea?

Black tea introduces earthy, malty, and slightly floral notes to baked goods, enhancing both sweet and savory elements. There are several ways to incorporate black tea into baking:

• Infusing liquids: Steeping tea leaves in milk, water, or cream for a more subtle infusion.

• Grinding tea leaves: Mixing finely ground tea leaves directly into dry ingredients like flour or sugar.

• Tea-infused butter/oil: Heating tea leaves in butter or oil before straining and using the infused fat in baking.

If you are looking for the most flavorful Black Tea to bake with, you can find one from our collection of premium organic loose leaf Black Tea. 

Now, let’s dive into some delicious recipes that make the most of black tea’s flavor.

Vegan Orange & Black Tea Shortbread Cookies

A citrusy, aromatic shortbread that pairs beautifully with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour

• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons Himalayan Sunrise black tea leaves (reserve 1-2 pinches for garnish)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Zest and juice of 2 oranges (about 8 tablespoons juice)

• 2 cups olive oil

Instructions:

1. In a stand mixer or large bowl, combine flour, 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, black tea leaves, salt, orange zest, and 4 tablespoons of orange juice.

2. Gradually add olive oil while stirring until a soft dough forms.

3. Divide the dough into four equal parts and roll into 2-inch thick logs. Wrap each log in parchment paper and refrigerate for at least one hour.

4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. Unwrap the dough logs and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Optionally, roll the edges in sugar before placing them on the baking sheet, 2 inches apart.

6. Bake for 18 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.

7. Transfer to a cooling rack.

8. Optional frosting: Mix the remaining powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled Black Tea Shortbread Cookies and sprinkle with reserved tea leaves for garnish.

Recipe adapted from foodformyfamily.

Black Tea Cupcake Recipe

Moist and flavorful cupcakes infused with the bold taste of black tea.

Ingredients:

• 90 grams unsalted butter, softened

• 70 grams sugar

• 10 grams almond flour

• 4 grams of loose leaf black tea 

• 90 grams cake flour

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• Nuts for decoration (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Sift together cake flour, cornstarch, and baking powder.

2. Cream butter until smooth. Add sugar in 2-3 batches, beating until pale and fluffy.

3. Beat the eggs and add gradually to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well between additions.

4. Stir in almond flour and black tea leaves.

5. Fold in the sifted dry ingredients using a spatula until just combined.

6. Divide batter evenly into cupcake molds.

7. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

8. Let the Black Tea cupcakes cool completely before serving.

Recipe adapted from cookpad.

Black Tea-Infused Tiramisu Recipe

A unique twist on the classic Italian dessert, using black tea-infused ladyfingers and mousse.

Ingredients:

Black Tea Infused Ladyfingers:

• 3 eggs

• 70 grams sugar

• 70 grams cake flour

• 4 grams of loose leaf black tea

Mousse:

• 250 grams cream cheese

• 50 ml milk

• 2 egg yolks

• 40 grams sugar

• 150 grams heavy cream

• 30 ml water

• 4 grams gelatin

Instructions:

Ladyfingers:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding sugar.

3. Beat in egg yolks one by one.

4. Sift in cake flour and add tea leaves. Gently fold with a spatula.

5. Spread batter onto the baking tray and bake for 10 minutes.

Mousse:

1. Heat milk and dissolve cream cheese until smooth.

2. Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.

3. Combine water and sugar in a small pan. Bring to a boil, then slowly drizzle into the egg yolks while stirring.

4. Dissolve gelatin in warm water, add to the egg yolk mixture, then mix in cream cheese and whipped cream.

Assembling the Black Tea-Infused Tiramisu:

1. Layer ladyfingers in a dish, soak with tea-infused syrup, and spread mousse on top.

2. Repeat layering 1-2 more times, then refrigerate until set.

3. Dust with cocoa powder before serving and your Black Tea-Infused Tiramisu is ready.

Recipe adapted from cookpad.

Crispy Black Tea Cookies

Light, crisp, and full of aromatic black tea goodness.

Ingredients:

• 60 grams butter, softened

• 50 grams sugar

• 1 egg yolk

• 130 grams cake flour

• 2 grams of loose leaf black tea

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

2. Add egg yolk and mix well.

3. Sift in cake flour and tea leaves, then fold the dough together.

4. Wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Roll dough to 5mm thick and cut into shapes.

6. Bake for 17-20 minutes until golden and crispy.

Recipe adapted from cookpad.

FAQs about Black Tea Desert Recipes

Can I use any black tea for baking?

Yes! Assam, Darjeeling, and Earl Grey work great. Flavored black teas (e.g., vanilla or caramel) add extra complexity.

How do I grind black tea for baking?

Use a spice grinder, mortar and pestle, or simply crush the leaves with your hands.

What’s the best way to infuse tea into baked goods?

Steeping in warm milk or butter before using in a recipe enhances the flavor.

Can I replace black tea with other teas in these recipes?

Absolutely! Green tea, chai, and herbal teas can be great substitutes.

 

About the Author

Nishchal Banskota is the founder of Nepal Tea Collective, dedicated to offering the finest Nepali teas. With years of experience in the tea industry, Nishchal is passionate about sharing the culture and craftsmanship of Nepali tea with the global tea industry. Learn more about Nepal Tea Collective and explore a variety of award-winning teas that bring you closer to the heart of Nepal.