Japanese Tea Tower

An impressive pagoda-shaped biscuit tower made with tea-flavoured biscuits and turquoise royal icing. Stack layers in alternating orientations.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 562.5 kcals 11250 kcals
Carbohydrates 71 grams 1420 grams
Fat 29.3 grams 585.2 grams
Protein 5.9 grams 118.5 grams
Cook Time
120 mins
Produces
20 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

BakingIngredients
Dairy
200
g
Butter
Unsalted, softened
1
piece
Egg
Free-range, lightly beaten
200
g
Butter
Unsalted, softened
1
piece
Egg
Free-range, lightly beaten
100
g
Butter
Unsalted, softened
0.5
piece
Egg
Free-range, lightly beaten
200
g
Butter
Unsalted, softened
1
piece
Egg
Free-range, lightly beaten
2
piece
Egg White
Room temperature
Fruits
0.5
piece
Bergamot
Finely grated zest or 2 tsp Earl Grey tea
0.5
piece
Lemon
Juice only
GrainsCereals
400
g
Plain Flour
Plus extra for dusting
400
g
Plain Flour
Plus extra for dusting
200
g
Plain Flour
Plus extra for dusting
400
g
Plain Flour
Plus extra for dusting
NutsSeeds
2
tsp
Lapsang Souchong Tea
Very finely ground
2
tsp
Matcha
Green tea powder
Other
1
tsp
Rosewater
Few drops
1
piece
Food Colouring
Blue and green drops

Steps

  • Cream butter, sugar, and tea leaves in a bowl, then beat in the egg and mix in flour to form a dough.
  • Wrap dough in cling film and chill in the fridge for one hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 175°C.
  • Roll dough to 4mm-5mm thickness and cut eight 9cm squares for Lapsang Souchong biscuits.
  • Bake on lined trays for 12 minutes until the edges are golden-brown.
  • Cool biscuits completely on wire racks.
  • Repeat the process for Earl Grey biscuits, cutting eight 7.5cm squares and baking for 10 minutes.
  • Repeat for Rose Pouchong biscuits, cutting 6cm squares and baking for 8 minutes.
  • Repeat for Green Tea dough, cutting squares ranging from 3cm to 15cm and various circles/curlicues.
  • Drape the largest Green Tea squares over greased cake tins and bake for 10-15 minutes to create curved roofs.
  • Bake remaining Green Tea shapes on flat trays for 4-9 minutes and cool.
  • Whisk egg whites for 30 seconds, then gradually beat in icing sugar.
  • Mix in lemon juice and food coloring, then beat for five minutes until the icing holds its shape.
  • Cover the turquoise icing with cling film until assembly.
  • Stack Lapsang Souchong biscuits with icing, rotating each layer by 45 degrees.
  • Continue stacking the Earl Grey and Rose Pouchong biscuits, separated by Green Tea roof layers and icing.
  • Create a pyramid roof with small squares and attach curlicues with icing.
  • Assemble a finial from the small circles, attach to the top, and finish with decorative icing.