Rasmalai Tiramisu Fusion: A 4-Person Indian Dessert Party Favorite

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes + 4 hours chilling

Key Highlights:

• Perfect make-ahead Indian fusion dessert combining classic rasmalai with tiramisu elements
• Rich, creamy layers feature traditional Indian sweetened milk and mascarpone cream
• Simple 4-person serving size ideal for intimate dinner gatherings
• Dietary notes: Vegetarian, contains dairy and nuts

A Fresh Take on Indian Sweets

Looking for a show-stopping Indian dessert that combines traditional flavors with modern presentation? This Rasmalai Tiramisu brings together the best of Indian and Italian dessert traditions. Perfect for your next dinner party, this recipe serves exactly four people with generous portions.

Equipment Needed

• 4 individual serving glasses or jars (8-10 oz each)
• Medium saucepan
• Fine mesh strainer
• Large mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Small bowl for dipping
• Plastic wrap
• Kitchen thermometer (optional but helpful)

Ingredients

For the Rasmalai Layer:

• 8 rasmalai pieces (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Small pinch of saffron strands (about 8-10 threads)

For the Cream Layer:

• 16 oz mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped
• 4 strands saffron
• 4 small rose petals (optional, edible variety)

Substitutions

• Replace mascarpone with hung yogurt for a lighter version
• Use almonds instead of pistachios for garnish
• Substitute cardamom powder with vanilla extract

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Phase (30 minutes)

1. Setting Up Your Workspace (5 minutes)

• Clear and sanitize your countertop
• Gather all equipment and place within easy reach
• Line up ingredients in order of use
• Place a damp kitchen towel under your mixing bowl to prevent sliding

1. Ingredient Preparation (25 minutes)

• Remove mascarpone cheese from refrigerator
• Place on counter to reach room temperature (around 68°F/20°C)
• Unwrap and separate rasmalai pieces carefully
• Pat each rasmalai piece gently with paper towel to remove excess moisture
• Count out your saffron strands and separate garnish portion
• Measure all other ingredients and place in small bowls

Making the Rasmalai Milk (20 minutes)

1. Preparing the Milk Base (5 minutes)

• Place your medium saucepan on the stove
• Pour 2 cups whole milk into the pan
• Add 1/2 cup sugar
• Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves completely
• Look for tiny sugar crystals to disappear entirely

1. Heating the Milk (10 minutes)

• Turn heat to medium
• Stir occasionally to prevent milk from sticking
• Watch for small bubbles forming around the edges
• When bubbles appear consistently (about 5-7 minutes):
  • Reduce heat to low
  • Add cardamom powder
  • Drop in saffron strands
  • Stir gently to combine

1. Simmering and Finishing (5 minutes)

• Keep mixture at a gentle simmer
• Stir every minute to prevent skin formation
• Look for milk to thicken slightly (should coat back of spoon)
• Remove from heat when reduced by about 1/4
• Let cool to room temperature (about 1 hour)
• For faster cooling, place pan in ice bath, stirring occasionally

Creating the Cream Layer (15 minutes)

1. Preparing the Mascarpone (5 minutes)

• Check mascarpone temperature (should be soft but not runny)
• Place mascarpone in large mixing bowl
• Add powdered sugar
• Mix on low speed until just combined
• Scrape bowl sides with rubber spatula
• Mix again until completely smooth

1. Whipping the Cream (5 minutes)

• In separate clean bowl:
  • Pour cold heavy cream
  • Start mixer on low speed
  • Gradually increase to medium-high
  • Watch for changes in texture
  • Stop when soft peaks form (tips curl when beaters lifted)
• Add vanilla extract
• Beat briefly to combine

1. Combining the Mixtures (5 minutes)

• Add 1/3 of whipped cream to mascarpone
• Use rubber spatula to fold gently:
  • Cut down center
  • Scrape bottom
  • Fold over top
  • Turn bowl quarter turn
  • Repeat until just combined
• Add remaining cream in two portions
• Stop folding as soon as mixture looks uniform

Assembly (15 minutes)

1. Preparing the Glasses (2 minutes)

• Select 4 clean, dry serving glasses
• Check each glass is stable
• Line up glasses for easy filling

1. Creating First Layer (5 minutes)
   For each glass:

• Add exactly 2 tablespoons cooled rasmalai milk
• Place 1 rasmalai piece in milk
• Press very gently with back of spoon to soak
• Wait 30 seconds for absorption

1. Adding Cream Layer (5 minutes)
   For each glass:

• Spoon 3 tablespoons mascarpone mixture
• Use small offset spatula or back of spoon
• Spread gently to edges
• Avoid smearing on glass sides
• Tap glass gently to level

1. Second Layer (3 minutes)

• Repeat soaking process with remaining rasmalai
• Add final cream layer
• Smooth top surface carefully

1. Garnishing (2 minutes)
   For each glass:

• Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon chopped pistachios evenly
• Place 1 saffron strand in center
• Add rose petal if using (place at slight angle)

Chilling Phase

1. Proper Storage (5 minutes)

• Cut plastic wrap pieces slightly larger than glass tops
• Press wrap directly onto dessert surface
• Avoid air pockets
• Wrap should touch cream to prevent skin formation

1. Refrigeration

• Place glasses carefully in refrigerator
• Keep level while moving
• Chill minimum 4 hours
• Preferably overnight (12 hours) for best texture

1. Serving Instructions

• Remove from refrigerator 10 minutes before serving
• Gently remove plastic wrap
• Check garnishes are in place
• Serve immediately

Troubleshooting Guide

• Runny cream layer: Mascarpone was too warm or cream overwhipped
• Grainy texture: Sugar not fully dissolved in milk
• Soggy rasmalai: Too much milk used for soaking
• Cream splitting: Ingredients weren’t at room temperature

Storage Instructions

• Keep refrigerated up to 24 hours
• Do not freeze
• Best consumed within 48 hours
• Store without garnish until serving

Safety Notes

• Check dairy freshness before starting
• Keep ingredients refrigerated until needed
• Use clean, dry utensils
• Avoid raw egg products
• Keep desserts refrigerated until serving time

Pro Tips

• Taste milk mixture before cooling for sweetness
• Use clear glasses to show beautiful layers
• Let mascarpone reach room temperature naturally
• Pat rasmalai pieces dry before using
• Chill serving glasses for 30 minutes before assembly