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Brown Sugar Chai Cake Recipe

Brown Sugar Chai Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 11 reviews

This Brown Sugar Chai Cake is a warm, spiced delight perfect for cozy occasions. Infused with chai-inspired spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, and sweetened with rich dark brown sugar, this moist cake is layered with creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting. It’s an ideal treat for tea time or as a festive dessert that offers a comforting blend of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 390 g all-purpose flour
  • 320 g dark brown sugar
  • 15 g baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground cloves

Wet Ingredients for Cake

  • 140 g unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 100 g neutral oil (e.g. vegetable or canola oil)
  • 283 g whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients

  • 227 g unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 12 oz (approximately 340 g) cream cheese, cold
  • 340 g powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal after baking.
  2. Soak Cake Strips: Soak cake strips in ice water to help them stay cool during baking, which aids in even baking of the cake edges.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and all the ground spices—cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves—until evenly mixed.
  4. Add Butter: Cut the unsalted butter into small cubes and add to the dry ingredient mixture. Mix on low speed until the texture resembles wet sand, ensuring the butter is evenly distributed but not fully blended in.
  5. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cake.
  6. Divide Batter and Prepare for Baking: Evenly divide the cake batter between the two prepared pans. Wrap the soaked cake strips around the outside edges of the pans to help prevent doming and ensure even baking.
  7. Bake the Cake Layers: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, immediately invert the cakes onto wire racks and allow them to cool completely.
  8. Freeze the Cake Layers: Once cooled, wrap each cake layer tightly in plastic wrap and freeze until firm. This step makes frosting the cake easier and cleaner.
  9. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a clean mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter and cold cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar while mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. Continue mixing on low until the frosting is smooth and free of lumps or air pockets.
  10. Assemble the Cake: Place the first frozen cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate and secure it with a small amount of frosting beneath it to prevent sliding. Using an offset spatula, spread an even layer of frosting over the first layer. Carefully place the second cake layer on top.
  11. Decorate and Serve: Finish frosting the top and sides of the cake as desired. Lightly sprinkle ground cinnamon on top for an extra touch of chai flavor. Slice and serve the cake to enjoy its warm, spiced flavors and creamy frosting.

Notes

  • Using cake strips soaked in ice water helps the layers bake evenly without doming.
  • Room temperature ingredients result in a smoother, better-mixed batter and frosting.
  • Freezing the cake layers before frosting makes them easier to handle and prevents crumbling.
  • For variation, garnish with toasted nuts or a dusting of powdered sugar instead of cinnamon.
  • Store the cake refrigerated due to the cream cheese frosting; it keeps well up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar chai cake, chai spice cake, cream cheese frosting cake, spiced cake recipe, chai dessert

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/brown-sugar-chai-cake-recipe/