
Introduction
Craving a cozy, spiced dessert that smells like autumn and tastes like a warm hug? This Chai Cake might just be your next favorite bake. Packed with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, and layered with a silky chai-infused frosting, this cake brings together the comfort of a chai latte in sliceable form.
With chai tea trending on platforms like Pinterest (+85% in seasonal dessert searches) and TikTok food creators giving it their twist, this cake fits perfectly into modern, flavor-forward baking.
Ingredients List
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
For the Chai Milk Infusion:
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 chai tea bags
Chai Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp chai milk (from above)
- Pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for garnish
Substitutions:
- Use gluten-free flour blend for gluten sensitivity.
- Swap dairy milk with almond or oat milk.
- Coconut sugar or maple syrup can replace white sugar.
Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Cooling & Frosting: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Chai Milk
Heat milk and steep chai tea bags for 10–15 minutes. Let cool.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices together.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry
Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
Step 5: Bake
Pour batter into greased 9-inch round pans. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Frost
Cool completely. Beat frosting ingredients together and frost cake. Garnish with cinnamon or cardamom.
Nutritional Information (Per Slice – Serves 12)
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Sugar: 30g
- Carbs: 48g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 210mg
Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
- Lower Sugar: Reduce sugar by 1/4 or use monk fruit sweetener.
- Vegan: Use flax eggs, plant milk, and vegan butter.
- Whole Wheat: Use half whole-wheat flour for fiber boost.
- Frosting Alternative: Greek yogurt or coconut whipped cream instead of buttercream.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a cup of masala chai or spiced latte.
- Add crushed pistachios or walnuts for texture.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbaking: Leads to dryness. Test cake at 30 min.
- Under-steeping chai milk: Less flavor in the frosting.
- Skipping spice balancing: Use fresh spices in correct ratios.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
- Room Temp: Keep in airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate: Up to 5 days, covered.
- Freeze: Freeze cake layers (unfrosted) for up to 1 month.
- Make Ahead: Frosting can be made 2 days in advance.
Conclusion
This Chai Cake Recipe is everything a fall-inspired dessert should be—spiced, moist, and irresistibly aromatic. Whether for a celebration or your next cozy weekend bake, it’s sure to be a hit.
Try it today and share your chai-inspired creations in the comments or subscribe for more cozy bakes.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use chai concentrate instead of steeped tea?
Yes, but reduce the sugar since concentrates are sweetened.
Q2: Can this be made as cupcakes?
Absolutely! Bake for 18–20 minutes at 350°F.
Q3: What if I don’t have cardamom?
Increase cinnamon and add nutmeg for a similar spice profile.
Q4: Can I use store-bought frosting?
Sure! Vanilla or cream cheese frosting pairs well too.
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