If you are craving something warm, aromatic, and utterly comforting, this Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine a beautifully spiced cake, infused with the cozy flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, perfectly paired with a luxuriously smooth cream cheese frosting that balances sweetness with tang. It’s not just a dessert; it’s an experience that turns an ordinary day into a celebration of flavor and heartwarming aroma.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is simple, but each one plays a starring role in creating the rich taste, tender crumb, and irresistible spice blend that makes this cake so special. From the spices that bring warmth to the cream cheese frosting that adds silkiness, every element is essential.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, providing structure and tenderness.
- Dark brown sugar: Adds a deep molasses sweetness and moisture.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise and stay light.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Brings a classic chai warmth and fragrant spice.
- Cardamom: Offers a citrusy, floral note that defines chai.
- Ginger: Adds a lively, spicy kick that awakens the palate.
- Allspice: Complements with a hint of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg combined.
- Nutmeg: Provides a gentle sweet and nutty flavor.
- Cloves: Intensifies the chai flavor with its bold, warm spice.
- Unsalted butter (for cake and frosting): Vital for richness and moisture, room temperature for easy mixing.
- Neutral oil: Keeps the cake tender and moist without overpowering.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess and helps bind ingredients, use room temperature.
- Eggs: Contribute structure and help with rise, also at room temperature.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors, adding subtle sweetness and depth.
- Cream cheese (cold): The star of the frosting, giving it tang and smooth texture.
- Powdered sugar: Creates the perfect balance of sweetness in the frosting.
How to Make Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pans
Start by heating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Greasing and lining two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper ensures that your beautifully spiced cake layers will come out flawlessly, making for easy removal and perfect presentation later.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and all the chai spices—cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. This carefully blended spice mix is what gives the chai cake its signature warm, inviting aroma and flavor profile.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture and use either your hands or a pastry cutter to work it in until the texture resembles wet sand. This step is key for creating a tender crumb and even distribution of butter, which melts into the cake as it bakes, making every bite moist.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Into the bowl, stir in the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense, so stop as soon as everything is incorporated for a light and fluffy texture.
Step 5: Bake
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans, smoothing the tops, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Keep an eye on the color—when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, your chai cake layers are perfectly baked with that tender crumb you’re aiming for.
Step 6: Cool the Cakes
Remove the pans from the oven and let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack. Patience here is crucial because frosting warm cake leads to melting and sliding frosting, and nobody wants that!
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the butter and cold cream cheese together until silky and smooth. Then gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. The result is a luscious, creamy frosting that’s just sweet enough to complement the spices without overpowering them.
Step 8: Frost and Assemble
Once the cakes are cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on one cake layer, stack the second on top, and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Feel free to decorate with a sprinkle of cinnamon or finely chopped nuts for added texture and flair.
How to Serve Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of cinnamon or a few whole cardamom pods on top adds not only visual appeal but also an extra hint of chai spice to every slice. Toasted chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts offer a nice crunch contrast.
Side Dishes
This chai cake pairs beautifully with a simple cup of chai tea or milk latte. The cake’s spices complement these beverages perfectly, making it an ideal afternoon treat or special brunch addition.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your chai cake on a rustic wooden board with edible flowers for a tea party vibe, or plate individual slices with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of honey for a fancy yet approachable dessert presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and moist for up to 4 days, ready to be enjoyed as a delightful treat without losing its magical chai essence.
Freezing
You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers, wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil, for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to indulge, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then frost fresh to maintain that creamy, dreamy perfection.
Reheating
Since this is a moist, delicate cake, it’s best served at room temperature for maximum flavor and texture. If you prefer it warm, place an individual slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, but avoid overheating to keep the frosting intact.
FAQs
Can I make this Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Just be sure to use a trusted gluten-free baking mix designed for cakes for the best results.
Is it possible to use a dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting?
Yes, dairy-free cream cheese alternatives work well here. Just choose a brand with a similar texture and flavor to regular cream cheese, and keep the butter dairy-free to maintain consistency and taste.
How spicy is the chai cake? Can I adjust the level of spices?
The spices in this recipe create a balanced warmth without overpowering heat. If you prefer milder flavors, reduce the amount of cloves and cardamom slightly. For a bolder taste, increase those spices to your liking.
Can this cake be baked as cupcakes?
Definitely! The batter works beautifully in cupcake tins. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for about 20-25 minutes, keeping a close eye so they don’t overbake. Frost and serve just like the cake for a fun, individual-sized treat.
What’s the best way to transport this cake?
Use a sturdy cake carrier with a lid and chill the cake slightly beforehand so the frosting firms up. This will help prevent smudging or sliding while you carry your delicious chai creation wherever you’re headed.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about making and sharing this Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe; it’s like wrapping yourself and your loved ones in a warm, fragrant hug. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply craving a sweet, spicy pick-me-up, this cake promises to delight with every bite. So don’t wait—whip up a batch and savor the magic!
Print
Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This aromatic Chai Cake blends warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves into a moist, flavorful cake layered with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for tea time or a cozy dessert, the cake offers a delightful balance of spice and sweetness with a creamy finish.
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp + 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cloves
- 10 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature, cubed
- 1/2 cup neutral oil
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 16 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 12 oz cream cheese, cold
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Add Butter: Incorporate the cubed unsalted butter into the dry mixture. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand, which helps create a tender crumb in the finished cake.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir in the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Divide & Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Cool Cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Make Frosting: Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter and cold cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and continue beating until fully incorporated and fluffy.
- Assemble Cake: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over one cake layer, top with the second layer, and frost the top and sides as desired. Decorate to your liking.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients, especially butter, milk, and eggs, are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Use parchment paper to easily remove the cake layers from the pans without breaking.
- Spices can be adjusted to taste; feel free to increase or decrease according to preference.
- For a more intense chai flavor, consider soaking the cake layers with brewed chai tea before frosting.
- The cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature before serving for optimal frosting texture.
