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Brown Sugar Chai Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 131 reviews

This Brown Sugar Chai Cake is a warmly spiced, moist layered cake infused with a blend of chai spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, sweetened with rich dark brown sugar. Topped with a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting, this cake is a comforting treat perfect for gatherings or special occasions. The cake layers are baked to perfection and chilled for easy frosting, ensuring a luscious texture and balanced flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

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

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper to ensure an easy release after baking.
  2. Soak cake strips: Soak cake strips in ice water. These strips will wrap around the pans to keep the cakes baking evenly and prevent doming.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and all the chai spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves).
  4. Add butter: Add the cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand—this ensures even distribution of fat throughout the batter.
  5. Add wet ingredients: Incorporate the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract into the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can toughen the cake.
  6. Divide batter and apply cake strips: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans. Wrap the soaked cake strips around the outside of each pan to help the layers bake flat.
  7. Bake the cake layers: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates the cake layers are fully cooked.
  8. Cool the cakes: Immediately remove the cakes from the oven and turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely. This prevents condensation and sogginess.
  9. Freeze before frosting: Once completely cooled, wrap the cakes tightly in plastic wrap and freeze until you are ready to decorate. Freezing helps firm up the cake, making it easier to frost smoothly.
  10. Prepare cream cheese frosting: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter and cold cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy.
  11. Add powdered sugar: Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar while mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. Continue beating on low speed until the frosting is smooth with no lumps or air pockets.
  12. Assemble the cake: Place one cake layer on your cake stand and secure it with a small amount of frosting on the bottom to prevent sliding. Using an offset spatula, spread an even layer of frosting over this layer.
  13. Add the second layer and decorate: Place the second cake layer on top of the frosted layer, then finish frosting the top and sides as desired. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon over the top for an extra touch of spice.

Notes

  • Soaking cake strips in ice water helps keep the cake layers flat during baking by insulating the edges.
  • Freezing the cake layers before frosting makes the cake easier to handle and reduces crumbs mixing into the frosting.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for smooth, even mixing and better cake texture.
  • Sift powdered sugar to avoid lumps in the frosting.
  • Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Keywords: brown sugar chai cake, chai spice cake, cream cheese frosting, spiced cake, dessert cake, layered cake

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