Description

This Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, spiced cake rich with dark brown sugar and infused with chai spices. It's topped with a tangy, fluffy cream cheese frosting—perfect for cozy gatherings or an afternoon treat.

Ingredients

3 ¼ cups (390 g) all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups (320 g) dark brown sugar

1 tbsp + ¾ tsp baking powder

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp ground cardamom

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp ground cloves

10 tbsp (140 g) unsalted butter, room temperature

½ cup (100 g) neutral oil (like canola)

1 ¼ cups (283 g) whole milk, room temperature

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 tbsp vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

16 tbsp (227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 ½ blocks (12 oz / 340 g) cream cheese, cold

3 cups (340 g) powdered sugar, sifted

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 °F (163 °C) and prepare two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
In a stand mixer, combine the flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and all the spices until well blended.
Cut the butter into cubes and add to the dry mixture. Mix on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand.
Add the oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined and smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool fully on wire racks. Wrap and chill if not frosting immediately.
To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Frost the first cake layer, add the second layer, and frost the top and sides.
Optionally, dust with cinnamon for a decorative finish.

Notes

Use a kitchen scale to evenly divide batter for level layers.

Steep chai tea bags in milk as a spice shortcut.

Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make the cake gluten-free.

Do a crumb coat before final frosting for a smooth finish.

Cake layers can be frozen unfrosted for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 453
Sugar: 34g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 75mg