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–+ servings
A homemade chai spice cake slice with three spiced layers, creamy white frosting, and a dusting of spices on top, served on a wooden board with star anise and a cinnamon stick.

Chai Spice Cake

5 from 1 vote
A cozy chai spice cake infused with black tea and a perfectly balanced spice blend. The blooming spice method ensures even distribution and depth of flavor, while steeped tea keeps the cake moist for days.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 370
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • ½ cup Brown sugar
  • ¾ cup Unsalted butter - Melted, used to bloom spices
  • 3 large Eggs
  • ¾ cup Whole milk
  • ¾ cup Strong black tea - From 4 tea bags steeped in 1 cup boiling water, cooled
  • 2 teaspoon Baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
Chai Spice Blend
  • 2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon Ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper - Optional, for slight heat
Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 oz Cream cheese - Softened
  • 3 cups Powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 2–4 tablespoon Heavy cream - Adjust for spreading consistency

Equipment

  • 2 9-inch round cake pans
  • 1 Electric mixer (stand or hand)
  • 1 Fine-mesh strainer
  • 1 Small saucepan
  • 2 Wire cooling racks

Method
 

  1. Steep 4 strong black tea bags in 1 cup boiling water for 8 minutes. Press out liquid without tearing bags. Let cool; reserve ¾ cup for batter.
  2. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add ground spices and stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat sugars with eggs until fluffy, then add spiced butter.
  4. Alternate adding flour mixture and cooled tea to wet mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
  5. Divide batter into greased 9-inch pans. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely, then frost with cream cheese frosting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 240mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 450IUCalcium: 90mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes
 

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