Chai Cake Recipe

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.