Description
This Brown Sugar Chai Cake is a moist, spiced dessert perfect for fall gatherings, featuring warm chai spices blended into a tender cake base and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting infused with the same aromatic chai blend. The combination of brown sugar and spices creates a comforting and flavorful treat that pairs beautifully with tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp chai spice blend (or a mix of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and allspice)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar (light or dark)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp chai spice blend
- 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or use two 8-inch round pans for a layer cake.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, chai spice blend, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a tender crumb in your cake.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the batter in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix each addition just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and smooth the surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Beat softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and chai spice blend. Add milk a tablespoon at a time as needed to reach a light and fluffy consistency.
- Frost and Garnish: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Finish with a light dusting of chai spice or cinnamon if desired for extra aroma and decoration.
Notes
- You can make your own chai spice blend by combining 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp allspice, and a pinch of cloves.
- For a layered cake, consider doubling the frosting recipe to ensure adequate coverage and flavor.
- Ensure the cake has cooled completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Use room temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese for best mixing results.
