Chai Tea Cheesecake

Indulge in the rich and aromatic flavors of this Chai Tea Cheesecake, perfect for the holiday season. With its creamy texture and subtle spice notes, it can be served warm or cold, topped with whipped cream, fresh mint, and cranberries for a festive touch. This dessert is as easy to make as it is delicious.

Ingredients

For the Crust:
🧁 4 cups animal crackers
🧈 1 cup melted butter

For the Cheesecake:
🧀 2 packs cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
🥛 1 can evaporated milk
🥛 1 can condensed milk
🥚 4 eggs
🌿 1 teaspoon cardamom
🌿 1 teaspoon anise powder
🌿 1 teaspoon ground ginger
🌿 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For Decoration:
🍦 Whipped cream
🌿 Fresh mint
🍒 Fresh cranberries

Instructions

1- Prepare the Crust:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a food processor, crush 4 cups of animal crackers until fine. If needed, scrape down the sides and process further to ensure no large pieces remain.
• Add 1 cup of melted butter to the crushed crackers. Blend again until a dough forms.
• Line a 10-inch round, non-stick, removable-bottom pan with parchment paper. This helps in easily removing the cheesecake later.
• Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, forming an even crust layer.

2- Make the Cheesecake Filling:

• In the food processor, add 1 can of evaporated milk and 1 can of condensed milk.
• Add the softened cream cheese, ensuring there are no lumps.
• Blend in 4 eggs, 1 teaspoon each of cardamom, anise powder, ground ginger, and cinnamon. Mix until smooth and fully combined.

3- Bake the Cheesecake:

• Pour the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust in the pan.
• Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 1 hour.
• Once baked, let it cool in the pan before removing. This helps to set the cheesecake properly.

4- Decorate:

• Once cooled, decorate the top with dollops of whipped cream, sprigs of fresh mint, and a scattering of fresh cranberries.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10-12 slices

Equipment:

• Food processor
• 10-inch round pan with removable bottom
• Parchment paper

Cooking Tips:

• For best results, ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing, which helps in achieving a smooth, lump-free batter.
• Grinding whole anise seeds if the powder is unavailable provides fresher flavor.

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Chai Tea Cheesecake