Cosy delights: Baking with rooibos tea
What's the story
Turns out, rooibos tea, that naturally caffeine-free herb from South Africa, isn't just for sipping. Its flavor can totally elevate your baked goods game.
This article features five creative ways to bake with rooibos tea, adding a unique spin to classic recipes and bringing a whole new world of taste to your kitchen.
Butter infusion
Infuse your butter
To make rooibos-infused butter, melt 200 grams of unsalted butter and stir in two tablespoons of loose rooibos tea leaves.
Simmer for five minutes to infuse the butter with flavor, then strain to remove the leaves.
The resulting rooibos-infused butter lends a delicate and distinctive taste to cookies, cakes, and pastries. It's a simple way to elevate your baking with a touch of gourmet flavor.
Bread boost
Elevate your bread dough
Adding brewed rooibos tea to bread dough can transform a basic loaf into a unique treat.
Simply replace half of the liquid in your bread recipe with strongly brewed rooibos tea.
The outcome is a loaf with a beautiful color and a subtle, sweet flavor that complements both sweet and savory spreads.
Scone innovation
A twist on classic scones
Rooibos tea can give a flavorful twist to traditional scone recipes.
Simply brew one cup of strong rooibos tea and allow it to cool. Replace the milk or water in your preferred scone recipe with this tea for a unique flavor that enhances the dough's richness.
Serve these scones with clotted cream and jam for a delicious afternoon indulgence.
Cake flavoring
Unique flavor for cakes
To infuse cakes with rooibos, you can add either finely ground leaves or brewed tea.
Just use one tablespoon of ground rooibos per two cups of flour, or substitute half the liquid in the recipe with brewed tea.
This technique not only imparts a beautiful reddish color to cakes but also enhances their taste with a robust, unique flavor. Say hello to showstopper cakes!
Custard creativity
Creative custards and creams
Rooibos-infused custards and creams are the comforting treat you didn't know you needed!
Just heat one cup of milk or cream with two tablespoons of loose leaf rooibos until simmering; strain, then use this flavorful infusion for custards, puddings, or pastry creams.
The rooibos adds a hint of natural sweetness and depth, creating a deliciously cozy dessert that isn't too heavy.