Diwali 2025 Recipes: Prepare The Delicious Rajbhog Tiramisu To Bring Festive Warmth To Your Plate

(By Praveen Kasker)

The Rajbhog Tiramisu is a luxurious fusion dessert that beautifully marries the elegance of Italian patisserie with the royal indulgence of Indian mithai. Reimagining the timeless tiramisu through the lens of Indian festivity, this dessert combines the creamy richness of mascarpone with the aromatic sweetness of saffron, cardamom, and paneer, the core essence of the traditional Rajbhog. The result is a dessert that’s both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly modern, making it a perfect showstopper for Diwali and other celebratory occasions.

What makes this dessert stand out is its delicate harmony of textures and flavors. The coffee-soaked ladyfingers lend the classic tiramisu its signature moist base, but instead of the usual espresso-forward bitterness, they act as a subtle canvas for the opulent Rajbhog mixture layered above. The saffron-tinged paneer blend, slightly grainy, aromatic, and rich with ghee-like warmth, creates a nostalgic echo of festive Indian sweets. This is then topped with smooth, airy mascarpone cream, which adds a light, velvety contrast, balancing the intensity of Indian spices with Italian finesse.

Visually, the Rajbhog Tiramisu is as inviting as it is decadent. Hints of golden saffron peek through layers of ivory mascarpone and the deep tones of coffee-soaked sponge, creating a stunning interplay of color and texture. Garnished with delicate saffron threads or a whisper of cocoa dust, each glass or slice tells a story of two culinary traditions seamlessly intertwined.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this dessert celebrates balance, between tradition and innovation, sweetness and depth, nostalgia and novelty. The Rajbhog Tiramisu can be made ahead and chilled, allowing the flavors to mature and meld beautifully over time. Every spoonful is a journey through creamy indulgence and fragrant warmth, an experience that captures the festive spirit in its most sophisticated form. Whether served at a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, this dessert is a testament to how culinary creativity can transform timeless classics into something truly extraordinary.

Praveen Kasker is Demi Chef de Partie at Deltin Royale, Goa

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