I have this strange trend of posting pudding recipes when a friend publishes a new book. And by strange I mean awesome. (See this Butterscotch Pudding for reference.) Made with chai tea pudding, this ice box cake comes from the pages of Stephanie’s new book, Easy Gourmet. You probably know Stephanie as i am a food blog—you know that blog with the crazy beautiful photos and little logos that accompany every recipe? She kills it every time. I knew after landing on her site for the first time that she was going big places. I wasn’t wrong.
PS—scroll to the bottom of the post for a book giveaway!
I was pinch-myself honored to get a sneak peek of her book and say a couple words about it. I may have reread Stephanie’s email a good ten times to make sure she had the right Melissa. Here’s my thoughts then and now:
“From the stories, to the recipes, to the design, Easy Gourmetwill woo you. This is one for the kitchen and the coffee table.”
Also, she has the ability to make slabs of meat look catwalk ready. Now that’s talent.
Seemingly complicated, this ice box cake comes together with ease. That book title—Easy Gourmet—it tells no lies. Layers of graham crackers, chocolate whipped cream (why have I never made this before?), and chai tea pudding are stacked on top of each other and left to chill. Side note: if you’re new to making pudding, try this method. You don’t have to temper the eggs yolks the traditional way, which is the intimidating part.
Kev calls this Tea Tiramisu. It has a nice ring to it and describes the texture well. I call this Chai Latte Mousse. The ring isn’t nearly as nice but describes the flavor well. Either way, this Chai Tea Ice Box cake is a sure winner and makes you feel extra fancy. It’s this perfect combination of end-of-summer and start-of-fall. After taking the first bite, I proudly exclaimed, “I made that!” The complex yet tangible flavors taste straight out of a restaurant. And yet, I made it with a baby under my feet.
There is no denying it, Stephanie’s recipes will woo you. Speaking of, it’s confession time. Kev has been cheating on my waffles with Stephanie’s the last couple weeks. If that’s not a headline for People Magazine, I don’t know what is. Truth be told, I think Stephanie makes a mean waffle too (and syrup). Read on for the recipe or skip to the bottom for the giveaway.
Ice box cakes are perfect for those days during the summer when it’s so hot that you’ll do anything to avoid turning on the oven. All you need for this cake is graham crackers, pudding, whipped cream and some fridge time. You can customize this recipe any way you please. If it’s too hot to even turn on the stove to cook the pudding, you can always use store-bought. The flavor combinations are endless, but I’m partial to spicy-sweet chai tea with chocolate whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
1/3 cup (70 g) sugar
2 tbsp (16 g) cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups (600 ml) whole milk
3 large egg yolks
2 tbsp (30 g) butter, cut into small pieces
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
2 chai tea bags
2 tsp (10 g) sugar
1/4 cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups (480 ml) cold whipping cream, divided
32 graham crackers
Instructions
Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. In a cold saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Slowly drizzle in the milk while whisking, making sure you dissolve the cornstarch. Whisk in the egg yolks. Cook over medium heat while whisking until the pudding starts to thicken and bubble, 5-6 minutes. Reduce to medium-low and stir, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom and sides. When pudding is thick and falls back into visible ribbons when drizzled, it’s done, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. When the butter is completely incorporated, pour pudding through the mesh strainer. Press a piece of saran wrap directly onto the pudding and chill for 2 hours.
Brew 1 bag of chai tea in 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of hot water. When cool, squeeze out tea bag and discard. Cut open remaining tea bag and pulse in a food processor until fine. When the pudding is cool, stir in the prepared tea and tea leaves.
Make the chocolate whipped cream: sift the sugar and cocoa. Mix with 1/4 cup (60 ml) of cream until incorporated. Stir in remaining cream. Chill for 1 hour. Whip until medium-soft peaks form. In the bottom of a 9-inch (23-cm) square pan, spread a thin layer of pudding. Lay down crackers and evenly spread a layer of pudding on top. Place another layer of graham crackers and top with chocolate whipped cream. Repeat until you have 5 layers of crackers. Cover and set in the fridge overnight before serving.
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I am waiting for summer to end so the heat and humidity will be gone!!! In Houston fall and winter is the best time of the year for good weather, so I will celebrate summer then!
I am savoring the end of summer with figs and pears from my yard. And I’m looking at lots of basil that needs to be picked and eaten with mozzarella cheese and rolled into some rice paper spring rolls. Tonight I am making Chai Tea Icebox Cake!
I’m savoring summer by eating as many peaches as possible, drinking summery beers on the porch, and driving with the windows down. Every recipe I have seen from Easy Gourmet looks SO good!
Hi! I’ll be savouring my last days of summer eating berries in all the ways I can imagine! Like blueberry jam, rasperries and sugar, lingonberry sauce…. and I’m also making focaccia with the last cherry tomatoes form my parents’ garden!
My kids and I are savoring the last bit of summer by swimming as much as possible and literally covering our cabinet in as much fruit as we can eat. It’s harder now that they are back in school. Just trying to soak up as much as possible with them while they are littler and still think I’m cool 🙂
I will be savoring the last bit of summer by preserving my garden fresh tomatoes! Roasted tomatoes, rustic tomato sauce, and pizza sauce are on the list.
We’ve already had mornings down in the low 50’s here in Denver. I don’t think there’s much savoring left. I’m doing my best to eat as much stone fruit and watermelon as possible before I loose my chance.
That ice box cake looks soo delicious!! I Love Stephanie’s Blog, great recipes and beautiful photos!!! I’ve been savoring, more like latching onto, the last days of summer by enjoying as much fresh berries and melons as possible!!
I’m holding onto summer with a quick trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina next week. Today I’m hitting the farmers’ market for perfect peaches and am hoping for some time spent poolside.
Savoring summer with lots of home-made salsa. Tire of summer…never…tire of summer heat…never…tire of fresh tomatoes…never…tire of fresh, spicy hot salsa…never…
This recipe is pure magic. I must get on this pronto. I’m savoring the last bits of summer by eating garden GALORE. There is no better archetype of summer than a sun ripened tomato, or the last sloppy peach of the season.
I’m from the Southern Hemisphere, so I’m currently savouring the beginning of spring by dreaming of homemade ice cream, and other delicious cold desserts 🙂
LOVE i am a food blog and this recipe looks amazing! We’d swap out the cocoa and make a cardamom-heavy chai spice whipped cream since we’ve got choco-haters in our lives. We are still celebrating summer (LA living for the win!) but especially fresh corn soup, pink wine spritzers (but that’s really our year round drink), anything stone fruit and tons of evening porch reading!
Still grilling everything! Especially zucchini and eggplant. And eating lots of ice cream because it finally feels like summer after some cooler weather for July and August. Not complaining.
Summer is never-ending here in Miami … However, September marks the beginning of the growing season in our subtropical region so I just planted some pepper, tomato and basil seeds last weekend – They are already sprouting! Looking forward to a fruitful winter 🙂
That Stephanie, she’s a goddess!! I’m not just savoring the last bits of summer, I’m SQUEEZING every last bit out by refusing to even THINK about pumpkin. Okay, that’s kind of a lie. But I’m trying!
catwalk-ready meat … hehe! so TRUE. steph is bonkers talented!!! and this chai tea ice box cake sounds sooo perfect – creamy cool spicey chocolatey. i like that you could try it with any tea flavours, too. i’m confused as to why i’ve never made chocolate whipped cream either – time to fix that!! we’re savouring summer by spending the month of september in a rural lake town – so far the weather has still been hot and swimmable! but i don’t need a copy of easy gourmet as i pre-ordered multiple copies already and i cannot wait to get mine!! ^__^
as steph said above (and i always feel this)… LOVE YO’ STYLING + PHOTOS always, melissa! your version of the cake looks simply delectable!! xo
On weekends my husband and I experiment with cocktail-making! Mint-Peach Mojitos, Watermelon Margaritas, Cucumber-Coconut Water Sangria..we just pick up whatever looks and smells the yummiest at the farmers market!
Cooking outside every chance we get – not that we don’t grill out in the winter, but it is so much more fun to all gater outside and see/ smell the food cooking. Also love to eat dinner outside!
This is lovely!! Stephanie’s book is en route to my door as I type, and I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT. Ugh. Major girl/blogger/designer crush on that one. ps I love those gold spoons!!!! #need
I’m enjoying quieter walks through Mpls parks and trails (now that school has started, there is a noticeable dip!) and continuing to eat my weight in watermelon.
I’m savoring the last bit of summer by being inspired by my farmers market finds! Next on my list to make from my local finds are a Niçoise salad and a plum crumble! I’m not ready for market season to end!
oh gosh Melissa, your ice box cake is SO GORGEOUS. Mike asked me why mine didn’t look like yours when I made it! LOL I love the dark chocolate for crunch (and beauty)! I’m in major love with your photos and styling 🙂
Oh my goodness, I took notes from your styling! You get it right every time lady! We loved this! Kev and I finished it off all by ourselves. Don’t judge.
I will be savorint the last bits of my summer by going on an afternoon picnic with my favorite thing to bake for dessert – buttermilk cupcakes with raspberry jam frosting. It’s from the Rose & Henry blog, although I changed the icing from strawberry.
These last few days of summer are fleeting – and I’m actually looking forward to fall and everything pumpkin and spice! But iced tea and sun tea are some of my favorite drinks, and I plan to make a batch or two before the warm sun is truly gone. Thanks for the chai tea ice box cake recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
How I am savoring summer: Denial, denial and more denial. I am pretending summer is just starting. I just ordered cute silver birkenstocks. I bought a white sweater. I just started wearing shorts (SF summer has just begun). I am making tomato everything…salads, tarts, jams….
Looks incredible! Can’t wait to see the book!
Still wearing summer sandals! Holding out as long as I can,
I am waiting for summer to end so the heat and humidity will be gone!!! In Houston fall and winter is the best time of the year for good weather, so I will celebrate summer then!
Spending as much time outside at the park, running, rollover blading and just enjoying the beautiful days before our long mn winters!
I’m using the last of the juicy summer peaches to make a peach blueberry cobbler!
Canning tomatoes and peaches!!!!
You are such an inspiration – i visit your blog every day!
I just launched a new blog (http://www.lifeandthelemons.com/) – think it’s gonna be fun and exciting in time!
Have a look, and keep up the good work!
http://www.lifeandthelemons.com/
I’m eating as many berries and peaches as possible and enjoying the ease of picking basil and tomatoes from our garden!
So I guess I NEED this cookbook. Because if the waffles are scandal-worthy and the icebox cake is THIS BEAUTY…then it’s a must.
I am savoring the end of summer with figs and pears from my yard. And I’m looking at lots of basil that needs to be picked and eaten with mozzarella cheese and rolled into some rice paper spring rolls. Tonight I am making Chai Tea Icebox Cake!
Ooh, this looks lovely! I’m savoring the last bits of summer by putting tomato on EVERYTHING. And sandals! Lots of sandals.
Red onion jam with goat cheese and crisps. Yum!
I’m squeezing in one last camping trip before it starts snowing in the mountains.
Probably by throwing fruit into my mouth often and grilling EVERYTHING.
I am just trying to spend every minute outside soaking up all the amazing weather before winter hits.
I’m savoring summer with lots of time on my balcony, eating BLTs and fresh farmers’ market peaches for dessert.
We are grilling and smoking as much as we can. I am looking forward to sitting around the fire pit though…
I’m savoring summer by eating as many peaches as possible, drinking summery beers on the porch, and driving with the windows down. Every recipe I have seen from Easy Gourmet looks SO good!
Hi! I’ll be savouring my last days of summer eating berries in all the ways I can imagine! Like blueberry jam, rasperries and sugar, lingonberry sauce…. and I’m also making focaccia with the last cherry tomatoes form my parents’ garden!
I’m savoring the last bit of summer by stopping at the farmers market and wearing sundresses as much as possible
My kids and I are savoring the last bit of summer by swimming as much as possible and literally covering our cabinet in as much fruit as we can eat. It’s harder now that they are back in school. Just trying to soak up as much as possible with them while they are littler and still think I’m cool 🙂
I will be savoring the last bit of summer by preserving my garden fresh tomatoes! Roasted tomatoes, rustic tomato sauce, and pizza sauce are on the list.
We’ve been eating outside every meal. Soaking in the last bits of summer weather.
We’ve already had mornings down in the low 50’s here in Denver. I don’t think there’s much savoring left. I’m doing my best to eat as much stone fruit and watermelon as possible before I loose my chance.
I’m trying to use up all my summer herbs before it’s too late!
Savoring summer by basically consuming as many peaches as a person can handle
That ice box cake looks soo delicious!! I Love Stephanie’s Blog, great recipes and beautiful photos!!! I’ve been savoring, more like latching onto, the last days of summer by enjoying as much fresh berries and melons as possible!!
Eating as many tomatoes as I can!!
This sounds amazing! And so, so easy, which is totally a bonus. I’m savoring summer with long walks in the sunshine before rainy season starts 🙂
This ice box cake looks delish! I’ll have to check out that book!
I so want to have that book!!
Ice cream. As much as possible.
I’m savoring summer by making peach puree to get me through the winter.
I’m eating all the summer veggies I can before they go out of season!
I’ll be making chili sauce, jam and pickling! Trying to bottle summer.
I’m holding onto summer with a quick trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina next week. Today I’m hitting the farmers’ market for perfect peaches and am hoping for some time spent poolside.
Savoring summer with lots of home-made salsa. Tire of summer…never…tire of summer heat…never…tire of fresh tomatoes…never…tire of fresh, spicy hot salsa…never…
I’m savouring summer by going to the beach and sitting in the sun as much as possible.
This recipe is pure magic. I must get on this pronto. I’m savoring the last bits of summer by eating garden GALORE. There is no better archetype of summer than a sun ripened tomato, or the last sloppy peach of the season.
I’m savoring the last bits of summer by refusing to wear thick jackets, no matter how cold it’s starting to get outside!
I’m from the Southern Hemisphere, so I’m currently savouring the beginning of spring by dreaming of homemade ice cream, and other delicious cold desserts 🙂
Lots of lemonade and sunbathing while I can!
Insisting on staying outside until the sun goes down since the days are getting shorter so quickly!
This looks great! I love Stephanie’s site. She is amazing! I’m savoring summer by having cocktails outside. Have to soak up the last rays of sunshine!
We’re talking evening strolls around our neighborhood during our last bits of summer’s golden hours!
LOVE i am a food blog and this recipe looks amazing! We’d swap out the cocoa and make a cardamom-heavy chai spice whipped cream since we’ve got choco-haters in our lives.
We are still celebrating summer (LA living for the win!) but especially fresh corn soup, pink wine spritzers (but that’s really our year round drink), anything stone fruit and tons of evening porch reading!
Still grilling everything! Especially zucchini and eggplant. And eating lots of ice cream because it finally feels like summer after some cooler weather for July and August. Not complaining.
Having a baby in the middle of the summer almost made me miss out on corn. I’ve been buying it and enjoying it plain, in stir fries, and in soup.
Summer is never-ending here in Miami … However, September marks the beginning of the growing season in our subtropical region so I just planted some pepper, tomato and basil seeds last weekend – They are already sprouting! Looking forward to a fruitful winter 🙂
all the peaches and watermelon i can get my hands on!!
I’m savoring the last of the summer’s nectarines – in denial honestly that they’re almost gone.
Im rejoicing in the tomato crops and drowning in everything basil. i cant wait for squash season!
I’m savoring the last bits of summer by trying to soak up as much time in the sun as possible!
Ah, summer, you will be missed. I am taking my morning coffee outdoors, soaking up every bit of Vitamin D while I still can.
Grilling corn as much as I can!
That Stephanie, she’s a goddess!! I’m not just savoring the last bits of summer, I’m SQUEEZING every last bit out by refusing to even THINK about pumpkin. Okay, that’s kind of a lie. But I’m trying!
Wow that cake looks yummy!
We’ve been grilling peaches like crazy while they still last!
catwalk-ready meat … hehe! so TRUE. steph is bonkers talented!!! and this chai tea ice box cake sounds sooo perfect – creamy cool spicey chocolatey. i like that you could try it with any tea flavours, too. i’m confused as to why i’ve never made chocolate whipped cream either – time to fix that!! we’re savouring summer by spending the month of september in a rural lake town – so far the weather has still been hot and swimmable! but i don’t need a copy of easy gourmet as i pre-ordered multiple copies already and i cannot wait to get mine!! ^__^
as steph said above (and i always feel this)… LOVE YO’ STYLING + PHOTOS always, melissa! your version of the cake looks simply delectable!! xo
On weekends my husband and I experiment with cocktail-making! Mint-Peach Mojitos, Watermelon Margaritas, Cucumber-Coconut Water Sangria..we just pick up whatever looks and smells the yummiest at the farmers market!
Savoring summer by nearly eating my weight in ice cream 🙂 That ice box cake looks so good!!
Peaches – grilled, layered on tarts, in salads, and with ice cream!
I just made some Blueberry Bars and Raspberry bars for a lunch yesterday, love using the fresh berries!!!
I will enjoy the supper nice weather we are having with fresh smoothies!
Cooking outside every chance we get – not that we don’t grill out in the winter, but it is so much more fun to all gater outside and see/ smell the food cooking. Also love to eat dinner outside!
Can I be honest and say I’ve already accepted Fall by making a pumpkin loaf? It was worth it!
This is lovely!! Stephanie’s book is en route to my door as I type, and I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT. Ugh. Major girl/blogger/designer crush on that one. ps I love those gold spoons!!!! #need
How I’m savoring summer: one last picnic in the park!
I’m spending as much time in my backyard as physically possible!
I’m eating all the summer produce I can, while it’s still available!!
I’m enjoying quieter walks through Mpls parks and trails (now that school has started, there is a noticeable dip!) and continuing to eat my weight in watermelon.
I’m savoring the last bit of summer by being inspired by my farmers market finds! Next on my list to make from my local finds are a Niçoise salad and a plum crumble! I’m not ready for market season to end!
Yum! This looks super simple and delicious!
We are heading up to MN this weekend for a concert and a weekend of biking!
oh gosh Melissa, your ice box cake is SO GORGEOUS. Mike asked me why mine didn’t look like yours when I made it! LOL
I love the dark chocolate for crunch (and beauty)! I’m in major love with your photos and styling 🙂
Oh my goodness, I took notes from your styling! You get it right every time lady! We loved this! Kev and I finished it off all by ourselves. Don’t judge.
I’ve been hitting all the farmers markets in a 10 mike radius as often as I can and eating fruit all the time.
I think I misspelled my email in that last post – it’s correctly spelled above.
I will be savorint the last bits of my summer by going on an afternoon picnic with my favorite thing to bake for dessert – buttermilk cupcakes with raspberry jam frosting. It’s from the Rose & Henry blog, although I changed the icing from strawberry.
These last few days of summer are fleeting – and I’m actually looking forward to fall and everything pumpkin and spice! But iced tea and sun tea are some of my favorite drinks, and I plan to make a batch or two before the warm sun is truly gone. Thanks for the chai tea ice box cake recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
How I am savoring summer: Denial, denial and more denial. I am pretending summer is just starting. I just ordered cute silver birkenstocks. I bought a white sweater. I just started wearing shorts (SF summer has just begun). I am making tomato everything…salads, tarts, jams….