Cheddar Cheese Bubble Tea with Crispy Bacon Bits
Cheddar Cheese Bubble Tea with Crispy Bacon Bits
Ingredients
For the Tapioca Pearls and Syrup
- 1 cup tapioca pearls, dry, large boba
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 1/2 cups water, divided
For the Black Tea Base
- 4 black tea bags, strong brew
- 4 cups hot water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, or to taste
For the Cheddar Cheese Foam
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
- 1/4 cup whole milk, cold
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Bacon Bits
- 6 slices bacon, thick-cut recommended
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Tapioca Pearls: Bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Add the tapioca pearls, stir gently, and cook according to package directions (usually 15-20 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until they are chewy and translucent. Drain the pearls and rinse them under cold water.
⏱️ 20 min
- 2
Make the Brown Sugar Syrup: In the same saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved and the syrup slightly thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, add the drained tapioca pearls to the syrup, and stir to coat. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Brew the Black Tea: Place the black tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or large measuring cup. Pour 4 cups of hot water over the tea bags. Let steep for 5-7 minutes for a strong brew. Remove the tea bags, stir in 1/4 cup granulated sugar until dissolved. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
⏱️ 15 min
- 4
Cook the Bacon Bits: In a large skillet, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet, place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then crumble into small bits once cooled. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Prepare the Cheddar Cheese Foam: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, beat until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the cold heavy cream and cold whole milk, continuing to beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and forms soft peaks, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to overbeat.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Assemble the Bubble Tea: Divide the brown sugar-coated tapioca pearls among 4 tall glasses. Fill each glass with ice cubes. Pour the chilled black tea over the ice, leaving about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of space at the top. Gently spoon a generous layer of the cheddar cheese foam over the tea in each glass. Finally, sprinkle the crispy bacon bits over the cheese foam. Serve immediately with a wide straw.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheddar Cheese Bubble Tea with Crispy Bacon Bits
Ingredients
For the Tapioca Pearls and Syrup
- 1 cup tapioca pearls, dry, large boba
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 1/2 cups water, divided
For the Black Tea Base
- 4 black tea bags, strong brew
- 4 cups hot water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, or to taste
For the Cheddar Cheese Foam
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
- 1/4 cup whole milk, cold
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Bacon Bits
- 6 slices bacon, thick-cut recommended
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Tapioca Pearls: Bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Add the tapioca pearls, stir gently, and cook according to package directions (usually 15-20 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until they are chewy and translucent. Drain the pearls and rinse them under cold water.
⏱️ 20 min - 2
Make the Brown Sugar Syrup: In the same saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved and the syrup slightly thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, add the drained tapioca pearls to the syrup, and stir to coat. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Brew the Black Tea: Place the black tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or large measuring cup. Pour 4 cups of hot water over the tea bags. Let steep for 5-7 minutes for a strong brew. Remove the tea bags, stir in 1/4 cup granulated sugar until dissolved. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
⏱️ 15 min - 4
Cook the Bacon Bits: In a large skillet, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet, place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then crumble into small bits once cooled. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Prepare the Cheddar Cheese Foam: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, beat until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the cold heavy cream and cold whole milk, continuing to beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and forms soft peaks, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to overbeat.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Assemble the Bubble Tea: Divide the brown sugar-coated tapioca pearls among 4 tall glasses. Fill each glass with ice cubes. Pour the chilled black tea over the ice, leaving about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of space at the top. Gently spoon a generous layer of the cheddar cheese foam over the tea in each glass. Finally, sprinkle the crispy bacon bits over the cheese foam. Serve immediately with a wide straw.
⏱️ 3 min