If you’re looking for a festive fall dessert to add to your repertoire, look no further! Pumpkin chai tiramisu is perfect for any occasion – Thanksgiving, halloween, Christmas, or any time that fall baking mood strikes. But here’s the thing about tiramisu – there’s no actual baking involved. At all. I’m all about a no-bake dessert! And since it can be made in advance (and is actually BETTER if served after 24 hours or so), you’ll be thrilled at how easy and stress-free, yet impressive, this tiramisu is. Tiramisu, translated, means “pick-me-up.” An appropriate name not only for how delicious it is – sure to cheer anyone up! – but also for the small amount of caffeine and, optionally, alcohol, there is in it. In this case, espresso is swapped out for chai concentrate, and marsala wine is swapped out for spiced rum. It’s cold and creamy and decadent yet light tasting – perfect for a post-feast treat when you think you can’t possibly eat another bite. I promise you’ll be able to find room in that full belly for this deliciousness!
Ingredients and Substitutions for Pumpkin Chai Tiramisu
How to make Pumpkin Chai Tiramisu
I recommend mixing all the different parts together, then beginning assembly – it will come together in mere minutes! In one bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. In another bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, mascarpone cheese, sugar, and maple syrup. Then fold the two together. In a small bowl, mix pumpkin pie spice mix and cocoa powder. Finally, in a shallow bowl, mix the chai concentrate and rum, if using. Now, you’ll assemble the pumpkin tiramisu. Dust the bottom of an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with the half of the cocoa powder and pumpkin spice mix (I use a small mesh sieve to do this, tapping the side with a spoon). Dip about half of the ladyfingers in the chai concentrate mixture, then add to the baking pan in a single layer, cutting down to size if necessary. Spread half the cream mixture on top. Repeat with the remaining ladyfingers and cream. Then dust the top with the remaining pumpkin spice cocoa mixture.
What other pan sizes can I use if I don’t have an 8×8?
While an 8×8 pan works perfectly for the ingredient amounts in this pumpkin tiramisu recipe, it’s easy to use another size pan or dish. A 9-inch circle pan works well, though you have to kind of piece together the ladyfingers a bit more. A loaf pan is great, especially if you make two or do more than two layers. A larger pan, such as a 9×13, works well if you make a larger batch of tiramisu. And I’ve also seen individual servings of tiramisu made in custard cups or small ramekins, as well!
Where can I buy chai concentrate?
You can likely find chai concentrate at any grocery store with the other tea products. I love the Tazo brand, which is widely available. Trader Joe’s also makes a great chai concentrate, which is a bit more concentrated and makes it perfect for this recipe. You can also make your own! Masala and Chai has a great tutorial for how to make your own chai concentrate.
How can I make tiramisu sweeter?
Tiramisu is generally not too sweet, as is the case with this pumpkin recipe. However, if you have a sweet tooth, it’s easy to opt for a sweeter version! Just add more sugar and/or maple syrup to the whipped cream mixture. And if you like, you can use a sweeter or milk chocolate bar to shave on top. You can also drizzle it with maple syrup. That said, I surveyed everyone I served this tiramisu to and asked if they thought it needed to be sweeter, and no one said it did.
Tips and Tricks for Pumpkin Tiramisu
You can use the extra pumpkin and chai concentrate from this recipe to make Chai Pumpkin Bread! Don’t soak the ladyfingers for too long in the chai concentrate mixture, otherwise they may fall apart and disintegrate. I dipped mine for 2-3 seconds for each side, which left them intact but with enough flavor. Make this pumpkin tiramisu 24-48 hours in advance. It will stay good for about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. While I haven’t tried myself, sources say tiramisu can be frozen for a maximum of three months.
Other Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
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