Brown Sugar Chai Cake (Printable Version)
Moist layers with warm chai spices and tangy cream cheese frosting for cozy celebrations.
# Ingredients List:
→ Cake
01 -
3 1/4 cups (13.7 oz) all-purpose flour
02 -
1 1/2 cups (11.3 oz) dark brown sugar
03 -
1 tbsp + 3/4 tsp baking powder
04 -
1 tsp kosher salt
05 -
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
06 -
2 tsp ground cardamom
07 -
1 tsp ground ginger
08 -
1 tsp ground allspice
09 -
1 tsp ground nutmeg
10 -
1 tsp ground cloves
11 -
10 tbsp (4.9 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
12 -
1/2 cup (3.4 fl oz) neutral oil
13 -
1 1/4 cups (10.1 fl oz) whole milk, room temperature
14 -
2 large eggs, room temperature
15 -
1 tbsp vanilla extract
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
16 -
16 tbsp (8 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
17 -
12 oz cream cheese, cold
18 -
3 cups (12 oz) powdered sugar, sifted
# How to Make It:
01 -
Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper, then soak cake strips in ice water.
02 -
In a stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves until uniform.
03 -
Add cubed unsalted butter to dry ingredients and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand.
04 -
Pour in oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract; mix until just combined to form the batter.
05 -
Divide batter evenly between pans, wrap soaked cake strips around pans, and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Immediately invert cakes onto a wire rack to cool fully.
06 -
Once cooled, wrap cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for at least two hours before decorating to facilitate easier frosting application.
07 -
Beat unsalted butter and cold cream cheese on high speed in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar while mixing on low speed until fully incorporated and smooth.
08 -
Place the first cake layer on a stand, secure with a small amount of frosting, then spread an even layer of frosting over it. Place the second cake layer on top and finish frosting evenly.
09 -
Optionally, sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon on top before serving to enhance flavor and presentation.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Using soaked cake strips prevents the edges from baking faster than the center, producing evenly baked, flat layers.
02 -
Freezing the cake layers before frosting helps the frosting firm up and makes decoration easier.
03 -
Ensure the cream cheese is cold and butter at room temperature for a sturdy, pipeable frosting consistency.
04 -
Sifting powdered sugar before mixing prevents grainy texture and reduces mixing time.