Soft, spiced cake layers with deep caramel notes from dark brown sugar, topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. I first made this Brown Sugar Chai Cake on a chilly November afternoon when I wanted something that tasted like a warm hug, and it's been my go-to celebration cake ever since. The spices fill your kitchen with the coziest aroma while it bakes, and the layers come out incredibly moist and tender.
If you love chai-spiced treats, you'll also want to try these Red Velvet Snowball Cookies or this Biscoff Cookie Butter Cake for your next gathering.
Why You'll Love This Brown Sugar Chai Cake
This Brown Sugar Chai Cake brings together everything you love about fall spices in two perfectly moist layers. The brown sugar adds a rich, almost toffee-like sweetness that white sugar just can't match, while the blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and other warm spices creates that signature chai flavor we all crave.
The cream cheese frosting cuts through the sweetness with just the right amount of tang. It's not too heavy, pipes beautifully, and tastes like the perfect balance between indulgent and refreshing.
You don't need any fancy techniques here. The reverse creaming method (mixing butter into the dry ingredients first) keeps the Brown Sugar Chai Cake extra tender, and freezing the layers before frosting makes decorating so much easier. Even if you're not a confident baker, this one's hard to mess up.
Jump to:
Brown Sugar Chai Cake Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make this moist Brown Sugar Chai Cake for celebrations.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For ingtedient Quantites
For the Brown Sugar Chai Cake:
All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cake and keeps it tender. Using a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurement helps.
Dark brown sugar: Adds deep caramel flavor and keeps the cake incredibly moist. The molasses content gives it that signature richness.
Baking powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the warm spices.
Cinnamon: The dominant spice that gives this cake its chai character.
Cardamom: Adds a floral, slightly citrusy note that's essential to authentic chai flavor.
Ginger: Brings a subtle warmth and gentle heat.
Allspice: Contributes hints of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg all at once.
Nutmeg: Adds earthy warmth and complexity.
Cloves: Provides a bold, aromatic punch. A little goes a long way.
Unsalted butter (room temp): Creates richness and helps build the cake's tender crumb. Room temperature butter blends smoothly into the batter.
Neutral oil: Adds extra moisture and keeps the cake soft for days.
Whole milk (room temp): Adds moisture and helps create a velvety texture. Room temperature milk incorporates more easily.
Eggs (room temp): Bind everything together and add structure. Room temperature eggs blend in without deflating the batter.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors and adds a sweet, aromatic note.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Unsalted butter (room temp): Provides a smooth, creamy base. Room temperature is key for proper blending.
Cream cheese (cold): Adds tang and stability. Using it cold keeps the frosting thick enough to pipe and spread beautifully.
Powdered sugar (sifted): Sweetens and thickens the frosting. Sifting prevents lumps and keeps it silky smooth.
How to Make Brown Sugar Chai Cake
This easy Brown Sugar Chai Cake recipe comes together with simple mixing and baking steps.
Prep the pans: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans well and line the bottoms with circles of parchment paper.
Soak the cake strips: Submerge your cake strips in ice-cold water and let them sit while you make the batter. This step helps the edges bake evenly.
Mix the dry ingredients: In your stand mixer bowl with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Give it a quick stir to blend.
Cut in the butter: Slice the room-temperature butter into small cubes and add them to the bowl. Mix on low speed for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture looks like damp sand with no large butter chunks remaining.
Add the wet ingredients: Pour in the oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix on low just until everything comes together into a smooth batter, about 1 minute. Don't overmix.
Fill the pans: Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Wrap the soaked cake strips around the outside of each pan and secure them.
Bake: Place the pans in your preheated oven and bake for 36 to 38 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Cool the cakes: As soon as they're done, turn the cakes out of the pans onto a wire rack. Let them cool completely at room temperature.
Freeze for easy frosting: Once cool, wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 2 hours. This firms them up and makes frosting so much easier.
Make the frosting: In a clean stand mixer bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and cold cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Add the sugar: Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the sifted powdered sugar. Once it's all incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy and smooth with no lumps, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Assemble the first layer: Take your cake layers out of the freezer and unwrap them. Place the first layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Dab a little frosting underneath to keep it from sliding. Spread an even layer of frosting across the top using an offset spatula.
Add the second layer: Carefully place the second cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake as desired.
Finishing touch: Sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon over the top for a beautiful, festive look. Slice and enjoy!
Smart Substitutions
Don't have dark brown sugar? Light brown sugar works, though the flavor won't be quite as deep. You can also mix white sugar with a tablespoon of molasses.
Out of whole milk? 2% milk or even a non-dairy milk like oat milk will work in a pinch.
No neutral oil? Vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted coconut oil all work. Avoid olive oil unless you want that flavor coming through.
Missing a spice? You can use 2 tablespoons of store-bought chai spice mix instead of measuring out each individual spice. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Want to skip the cream cheese frosting? A simple buttercream or even a cream cheese whipped cream would be lovely. You could also try the frosting from this White Chocolate Brownies recipe.
Making It Kid-Friendly
If you're baking this Brown Sugar Chai Cake for little ones who might be sensitive to strong spices, you can dial back the cardamom, ginger, and cloves by about half. The cake will still have great flavor but won't be quite as bold.
Let kids help measure and mix the dry ingredients. It's a great way to practice math skills, and they'll love watching the batter come together.
For a fun twist, let them decorate the top with extra cinnamon or even some festive sprinkles. Liam loves adding his own "special touches" to cakes.
Serve smaller slices for kids since this is a rich, Brown Sugar Chai Cake. A 2-inch slice is usually plenty, especially with that tangy frosting.
Equipment For Brown Sugar Chai Cake
Kitchen scale: For the most accurate measurements, especially with flour and sugars. It makes a real difference in baking.
Electric mixer: A stand mixer with a paddle attachment works best, but a hand mixer will do the job too.
Two 9-inch cake pans: Round pans with 2-inch sides give you nice, tall layers.
Cake strips: These fabric strips soak up water and keep the edges of your cake from over-baking. They're inexpensive and reusable.
Offset spatula: Makes frosting the cake so much easier, especially getting smooth sides.
Wire cooling rack: Lets air circulate around the cakes as they cool.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Room temperature: Once frosted, this Brown Sugar Chai Cake keeps well covered on the counter for up to 2 days. The cream cheese frosting stays stable thanks to the cold cream cheese method.
Refrigerator: For longer storage, keep the frosted Brown Sugar Chai Cake in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving so the frosting softens up.
Freezer: You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight, then frost as directed.
Make-ahead strategy: Bake the Brown Sugar Chai Cake layers a day or two ahead and keep them wrapped in the freezer. Make the frosting the day you plan to serve it for the best texture and flavor.
Leftover slices freeze beautifully. Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
This Brown Sugar Chai Cake with brown sugar pairs beautifully with so many things.
Serve it with a hot cup of chai tea or a chai latte for the ultimate cozy experience. The flavors echo each other perfectly.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream on the side adds a cool, creamy contrast to the warm spices.
For a special brunch, serve thin slices alongside fresh fruit like sliced pears or apples. The fruit's brightness cuts through the richness.
Try it with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce over each slice if you want to take it over the top. The salty-sweet combination is incredible with the chai spices.
Expert Tips
Measure flour correctly: Spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off, or better yet, use a kitchen scale. Too much flour makes the Brown Sugar Chai Cake dense.
Don't skip the cake strips: They really do make a difference in creating flat, even layers that are easier to stack and frost.
Use room-temperature ingredients: Cold eggs and milk won't incorporate as smoothly and can result in a lumpy batter.
Freeze before frosting: This isn't just a suggestion. Frozen Brown Sugar Chai Cake layers are so much easier to work with, and the frosting firms up on contact, creating a beautiful crumb coat.
Sift the powdered sugar: Those few extra seconds prevent lumpy frosting and give you a silky-smooth finish.
FAQ
Do chai and brown sugar go together?
Yes, absolutely! Brown sugar's caramel notes complement chai spices beautifully. The molasses flavor adds depth that enhances the cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger without overpowering them. My family actually prefers this combination to using regular white sugar because it tastes richer and more complex.
What are the spices in chai cake?
Traditional Brown Sugar Chai Cake includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Cinnamon and cardamom are the stars, while the others add supporting warmth and complexity. You can adjust the ratios based on your preferences, though I find this blend creates the most balanced flavor. Liam says it smells like the best coffee shop, and I think he's onto something.
What happens if I use brown sugar instead of white sugar in cake?
Brown sugar makes cakes more moist and tender because of its molasses content. It also adds a subtle caramel flavor and creates a denser, chewier texture compared to white sugar. The color will be darker too. In this recipe, brown sugar is essential for both the moisture and the deep, rich flavor that pairs so well with chai spices.
What does brown sugar do to cakes?
Brown sugar adds moisture, creates a softer crumb, and contributes a warm caramel flavor. The molasses in brown sugar is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and holds onto water, which keeps your Brown Sugar Chai Cake from drying out. It also makes the texture slightly denser and more tender than cakes made with only white sugar. If you want a cake that stays moist for days, brown sugar is your friend.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Brown Sugar Chai Cake
Brown Sugar Chai Cake
Equipment
- 1 Kitchen scale For the most accurate measurements, especially with flour and sugars. It makes a real difference in baking.
- 1 Electric mixer A stand mixer with a paddle attachment works best, but a hand mixer will do the job too.
- 2 9-inch cake pan Round pans with 2-inch sides give you nice, tall layers.
- 2 Cake Strips These fabric strips soak up water and keep the edges of your cake from over-baking. They're inexpensive and reusable.
- 1 Offset spatula Makes frosting the cake so much easier, especially getting smooth sides.
- 1 Wire cooling rack Lets air circulate around the cakes as they cool.
Ingredients
- 390 g all-purpose flour Provides structure for the cake
- 320 g dark brown sugar Adds depth of sweetness
- 15 g baking powder Leavening agent for rise
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt Enhances flavor balance
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon Adds warmth and spice
- 2 teaspoons cardamom Spices up the flavor with a hint of citrus
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger Brings a touch of heat
- 1 teaspoon allspice Warm sweet spice blend
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg Classic chai flavor
- 1 teaspoon cloves Adds aromatic intensity
- 140 g unsalted butter Room temperature for richness and moisture
- 100 g neutral oil Helps keep the cake moist
- 283 g whole milk Room temperature for creaminess
- 2 large eggs Room temperature provides structure
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract For a hint of sweetness
- 227 g unsalted butter Room temperature for the frosting
- 340 g powdered sugar Sifted, adds sweetness and structure to frosting
- 340 g cream cheese Coldto create a thick smooth frosting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and prepare two 9-inch cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper.
- Soak the cake strips in cold water.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices.
- Cut the butter into small cubes and add it to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Add the oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined, but do not over-mix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Wrap the soaked cake strips around the sides of the pans.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, wrap the cakes in plastic wrap and freeze them for at least 2 hours. This helps the frosting go on more smoothly.
- For the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese on high speed until smooth.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low until fully combined. Continue mixing until the frosting is smooth and free from lumps.
- Place the first cake layer on a cake stand and spread a thin layer of frosting on top. Add the second cake layer and spread frosting evenly over the top and sides.
- Decorate the cake as desired, sprinkling a little cinnamon on top before serving.
Leave a Reply