Chai Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This delicious Chai Cake blends warm and aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves into a moist, tender cake, topped with a creamy spiced brown sugar cream cheese frosting. Perfect for cozy gatherings or afternoon tea, this cake combines traditional chai flavors with a smooth, sweet finish, making it a delightful treat for spice lovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-28 minutes
- Total Time: 35-38 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Chai Cake
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup applesauce (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup milk (room temperature)
For the Spiced Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
- 6 oz cream cheese (cold, full fat)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed, no clumps)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cardamom
- Pinch of ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃) to prepare for baking the cake.
- Prepare Pan: Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper; set aside to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and black pepper). Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the applesauce, then add the milk and whisk again until smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and fold gently with a spatula until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-28 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- Prepare Frosting: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the cold cream cheese, room temperature butter, and brown sugar on high speed for 5 minutes until completely smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Flavor & Sugar: Mix in the salt and vanilla extract, then gradually add powdered sugar in ¼ cup increments, beating on high speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Finally, add the cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves, mixing again for 30 seconds.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake has completely cooled, spread the spiced brown sugar cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Serve & Store: Enjoy the cake immediately or keep it refrigerated to preserve freshness. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure eggs and wet ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter as it may cause the cake to become dense.
- Use cold cream cheese for the smoothest frosting.
- The spices in both cake and frosting can be adjusted to taste.
- Keep the cake refrigerated if storing for more than a day to maintain freshness and prevent frosting spoilage.
