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Brown Sugar Chai Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 71 reviews

This Brown Sugar Chai Cake combines warm chai spices with the rich, deep sweetness of dark brown sugar to create a moist, flavorful cake. Topped with a smooth and tangy cream cheese frosting, this cake is perfect for cozy occasions and chai lovers alike. The recipe involves baking two 9-inch cake layers infused with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, then assembling with a luscious cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

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, cubed)
  • 100 g neutral oil
  • 283 g whole milk (room temperature)
  • 2 eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare pans and cake strips: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line them with parchment paper. Soak cake strips in ice water to prepare for wrapping around the pans later, which helps the cakes bake evenly.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
  3. Incorporate butter: Add the cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand, indicating the butter is well incorporated without melting.
  4. Add wet ingredients: Pour in the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed just until combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
  5. Divide batter and prepare for baking: Split the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Wrap the soaked cake strips around the outside of the pans to help the cakes bake flat and prevent doming.
  6. Bake the cakes: Place the pans in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, remove the cakes and immediately turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Freeze cake layers: After the cakes have cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze. Freezing makes the cake layers firmer and easier to frost later on.
  8. Make cream cheese frosting: In a clean stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter and cold cream cheese together on high speed until smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar while mixing on low speed, then continue beating on low until the frosting is smooth with no lumps or air pockets.
  9. Assemble the cake: Secure one cake layer onto your cake stand or serving plate by spreading a small amount of frosting underneath it. Using an offset spatula, spread an even layer of frosting on top of this layer. Place the second cake layer on top and finish by frosting the top and sides as desired.
  10. Finishing touches: Optionally, sprinkle a small pinch of cinnamon over the top of the cake for extra flavor and a polished look. Slice and serve to enjoy the rich chai-infused flavors.

Notes

  • For best results, bring all refrigerated ingredients to room temperature before mixing.
  • Using cake strips soaked in ice water helps to prevent the edges of the cake from baking too quickly, ensuring flat layers.
  • Freezing the cake layers before frosting helps create cleaner, neater frosting application.
  • If you do not have cake strips, you can wrap damp strips of towel around pans and chill before baking.
  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: brown sugar chai cake, chai spice cake, cream cheese frosting, spiced cake recipe, homemade chai cake

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