If you are looking for a delicious treat that perfectly blends warm spices with a creamy finish, this Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is an absolute game-changer. Imagine moist, spiced layers infused with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and a hint of cloves, all topped with a velvety cream cheese frosting that adds just the right amount of sweetness and tang. Whether it’s a cozy afternoon tea or a festive celebration, this cake will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and delight everyone who takes a bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple yet thoughtfully chosen, the ingredients for this Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Each element plays a crucial role, from the leavening that lifts the batter to the spices that lend warmth and depth to the cake.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cake providing structure and crumb.
- Dark brown sugar: Adds rich sweetness with a touch of molasses flavor enhancing the spices.
- Baking powder: Ensures the cake rises perfectly fluffy.
- Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the spices.
- Cinnamon: The heart of the chai spice mix delivering warmth.
- Cardamom: Adds an aromatic, slightly citrusy note.
- Ginger: Brings a gentle kick and depth to the spice blend.
- Allspice: Enhances the chai profile with hints of clove and nutmeg.
- Nutmeg: Provides subtle earthiness and sweetness.
- Cloves: Adds an intense, fragrant warmth.
- Unsalted butter: Gives moisture and richness to the cake and frosting.
- Neutral oil: Keeps the cake tender and moist.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess and helps the batter bind.
- Eggs: Give structure and stability to the cake layers.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the spices with a sweet, floral note.
- Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, creating luscious creaminess and a hint of tang.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting to silky perfection.
How to Make Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pans and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Carefully grease two 9-inch cake pans and line them with parchment paper. This preparation ensures your cakes release smoothly while baking evenly.
Step 2: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine your all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and the delicious chai spices — cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Whisking these together helps spread the spice flavors evenly throughout the cake.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cubed, room-temperature butter to the dry mix. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, blend until the mixture resembles wet sand. This step is essential for achieving a tender crumb by coating the flour with butter bits.
Step 4: Incorporate Wet Ingredients
Pour in the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir gently until just combined. Overmixing at this stage can lead to a tough cake, so mix only until the ingredients meld into a smooth batter.
Step 5: Divide and Bake
Evenly divide the batter into the prepared pans. Pop them in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Keep a close eye near the end, and test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the centers — it should come out clean.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Once baked, let the cakes cool fully on a wire rack. Patience here pays off because frosting a warm cake can cause melting and sliding frosting layers.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cakes cool, beat together the softened butter and cold cream cheese until silky smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating continuously until the frosting is fluffy and perfectly sweet but still rich and creamy.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Slather with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting, then top with the second layer. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Feel free to add decorations such as chopped nuts, a dusting of cinnamon, or edible flowers to make it extra special.
How to Serve Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
For the perfect finishing touch, consider topping your Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe with a sprinkle of toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans, a dusting of cinnamon, or even some delicate edible rose petals. These simple garnishes add texture and elegance, making the cake irresistible to the eye and palate.
Side Dishes
This spiced cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of chai tea, naturally complementing the recipe’s flavors. Alternatively, serve alongside a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or fresh fruit, like poached pears, for an elevated dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For something whimsical, transform this cake into elegant mini-layered cupcakes by adjusting baking time. Or, slice the cake horizontally for thin layers, and serve as an elegant plated dessert with drizzle of caramel or honey. The possibilities with this Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe are endless and encourage your creativity in the kitchen.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The rich cream cheese frosting requires cool storage to keep fresh. Your cake will stay moist and delicious for up to 4 days, making it perfect for enjoying over time.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw them completely before frosting. The frosting itself can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 month and whipped again before use.
Reheating
Since this is a cake best served cool or at room temperature, avoid reheating once frosted. If you prefer your slices slightly warmed, remove the cream cheese frosting and reheat the plain cake gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds before replacing the frosting or serving with a dollop of cream.
FAQs
Can I use regular sugar instead of dark brown sugar?
While you can substitute regular granulated sugar, using dark brown sugar adds a rich molasses undertone that really amplifies the chai spices and keeps the cake moist. If you prefer a milder sweetness, you might try a mix of both.
What if I don’t have all the chai spices on hand?
You can whip up a simplified version with just cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. These three are the backbone of chai flavor and will still produce a wonderfully spiced cake. However, using the full blend gives the most authentic and complex taste.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Keep in mind texture may vary slightly, but the chai flavors and cream cheese frosting will still shine.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
The best test is inserting a toothpick or cake tester in the center. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging. The cake will also spring back lightly to the touch when fully baked.
Is the cream cheese frosting suitable for piping decorations?
Yes! This frosting has a smooth and sturdy consistency perfect for piping flowers, borders, or other decorative touches. If it feels too soft, chill it briefly to firm up before decorating.
Final Thoughts
Making this Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is like inviting warmth and cozy spice straight into your home. It’s approachable, delightful, and has that special something that keeps people coming back for more. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just to treat yourself, I promise this will become a beloved favorite you’ll want to keep on your recipe list forever.
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 Chai Cake is a warmly spiced, moist layered cake infused with the rich flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and other aromatic chai spices. Perfect for cozy afternoons or festive occasions, this cake combines a tender crumb with a smooth cream cheese frosting for a delightful dessert experience.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 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
Frosting Ingredients
- 16 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 12 oz cream cheese, cold
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and all the spices—cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves—until thoroughly combined.
- Incorporate butter: Add the cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture and mix it in until the texture resembles wet sand, indicating the butter is well distributed but not fully incorporated.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract into the mixture gently until the batter is just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the cake tender.
- Bake the cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely in the pans on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare the frosting: Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter and cold cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar while beating until the frosting is fully combined and fluffy.
- Frost and decorate: Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost the top of one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and cover the entire cake with the cream cheese frosting. Decorate as desired and serve.
Notes
- Ensure all room temperature ingredients like butter, milk, and eggs are prepared in advance for better mixing.
- Do not over-mix the batter to keep the cake tender and moist.
- Use parchment paper for easy cake removal from pans.
- The cream cheese frosting can be adjusted in sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar according to taste.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a more intense chai flavor, you can steep chai tea bags in warm milk before adding it to the batter.
