Description
A warm and inviting Chai Spice Cake infused with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp brewed strong chai tea, cooled
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (adjust for sweetness)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for frosting
- 1 tbsp milk (as needed for spreading consistency)
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your baking pan(s) with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
- Mix in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and brewed chai tea.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in batches until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes for round pans or 35-40 minutes for a 9×13 pan.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the cream cheese frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter until fluffy, then gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and a splash of milk if needed for spreading consistency.
- Once cooled, spread the frosting over the cake, or layer it between rounds if using round pans.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, consider using whole wheat flour or substituting Greek yogurt for buttermilk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg