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Brown Sugar Chai Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 76 reviews

This Brown Sugar Chai Cake is a fragrant and moist cake infused with warm chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Paired with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting, this cake offers a perfect balance of spice and sweetness, ideal for gatherings or an indulgent treat with tea or coffee.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Brown Sugar Chai Cake

  • 390 g all-purpose flour
  • 320 g dark brown sugar
  • 15 g baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp cardamom
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 140 g unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 100 g neutral oil
  • 283 g whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper to ensure the cakes don’t stick and bake evenly.
  2. Soak Cake Strips: Soak cake strips in ice water. These strips are used to insulate the cake pans to promote even baking and prevent doming.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and all the chai spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves) until combined.
  4. Add Butter: Cut the unsalted butter into small cubes and add them to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand, indicating the butter is well-incorporated.
  5. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix just until all ingredients are combined and the batter is smooth but not overmixed to keep the cake tender.
  6. Divide Batter and Prepare for Baking: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Wrap the soaked cake strips around the outside of the pans to ensure even baking.
  7. Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Avoid opening the oven door excessively to prevent baking interruptions.
  8. Cool the Cakes: Remove cakes from the oven and immediately turn them out onto wire racks. Allow them to cool completely to room temperature.
  9. Freeze for Frosting Ease: Once cool, wrap the cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to decorate. Freezing firms the cakes, making them easier to frost and handle.
  10. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter and cold cream cheese on high speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
  11. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar while mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Once fully incorporated, continue beating on low until the frosting is smooth without lumps or air pockets.
  12. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a cake stand and secure it with a small amount of frosting on the bottom. Spread an even layer of frosting on top using an offset spatula, then place the second cake layer on top.
  13. Decorate and Serve: Finish decorating the cake as desired. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon on top for an aromatic garnish. Slice and serve to enjoy the rich chai flavor and creamy frosting.

Notes

  • Using cake strips soaked in ice water helps ensure even baking with flat tops.
  • Freezing the cake layers before frosting keeps crumbs out of your frosting and makes assembly easier.
  • Make sure all ingredients for the cake are at room temperature for optimal mixing and texture.
  • You can adjust the chai spices to your taste preference, adding more or less cardamom or cinnamon as desired.
  • Store the finished cake in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Keywords: Brown Sugar Chai Cake, Chai Spice Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Spiced Cake, Holiday Cake, Dessert Cake, Homemade Cake

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