If you’ve ever dreamed of a cake that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, then the Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is going to become your new obsession. This cake is a beautiful harmony of rich brown sugar sweetness and aromatic chai spices, all enveloped in a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s velvety and just the right amount of tangy. Every bite delivers cozy spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger that dance together perfectly, making it a true standout for any occasion. Trust me, once you try this Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, it’ll quickly become a beloved staple in your kitchen repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe uses a handful of simple yet indispensable ingredients, each playing its own special role. The spices bring warmth and depth, while the brown sugar adds rich molasses notes. Every item here is essential for making the flavors shine and the texture just right.
- Unbleached all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for a tender cake crumb.
- Dark brown sugar, packed: Adds deep sweetness and moisture with a subtle molasses flavor enhancing the chai spices.
- Neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or light olive oil): Keeps the cake moist without overpowering the spices.
- Whole milk: Balances moisture and richness to create a soft crumb.
- Large eggs, room temperature: Bind everything together and help with leavening for a light texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a smooth, sweet backdrop that complements the chai spices beautifully.
- Chai spice blend: The star player with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, bringing that signature chai flavor.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to give your cake the perfect rise.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Cream cheese (cold): Creates a rich, tangy frosting that’s velvety smooth.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds creaminess and helps the frosting hold its shape.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and gives the frosting that beautiful fluffy texture.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Keeps the frosting from tasting too sweet and rounds out the flavors.
How to Make Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans to ensure your cakes come out effortlessly without sticking. This prep step is crucial for a clean release and perfect layers.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the unbleached all-purpose flour, chai spice blend, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed, laying the flavor foundation for your cake.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the dark brown sugar, neutral oil, room temperature eggs, vanilla extract, and whole milk until the mixture is smooth and cohesive. This blend brings moisture, sweetness, and richness that will transform the dry ingredients into a heavenly batter.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough, so gentle mixing keeps the crumb tender and light while ensuring all the chai spices are perfectly baked in.
Step 5: Bake with Love
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Pop them into your oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This is the moment to watch the magic happen as the spicy aroma fills your kitchen.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Frosting warm cake can cause the frosting to melt, so patience here really pays off.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cakes cool, beat the cold cream cheese and softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Then add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat everything together until the frosting is fluffy and irresistibly spreadable, the perfect partner for your spiced cake layers.
Step 8: Frost and Assemble
Spread a generous layer of frosting on the first cake layer, then top with the second layer and frost the top and sides beautifully. The cream cheese frosting complements the spices and brown sugar flavor, creating a delightful balance that will make you swoon.
How to Serve Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a thoughtful garnish elevates your cake visually and taste-wise. Consider a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a few whole cardamom pods scattered lightly on top. Toasted chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts also add a wonderful crunch and nutty depth that pairs wonderfully with the chai spices.
Side Dishes
This cake shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a simple cup of chai tea or coffee for an afternoon treat. For a more indulgent spread, serve alongside fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. These sides enhance the creamy, spiced flavors and make for an unforgettable dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get fancy, try layering the cake with fresh figs or poached pears between layers for a fresh, fruity contrast. Alternatively, cut into mini cupcakes or cake pops for sharing at parties or as delightful gifts. No matter how you present it, the Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe never fails to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, store your cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight cake container at room temperature for up to two days. After that, refrigeration is best to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh, extending the life for several more days.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to three months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost as usual. Frosted cake can also be frozen but wrap it carefully to prevent freezer burn and frost damage.
Reheating
This cake is best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you need to warm a slice, pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Avoid reheating when frosted, as the frosting can soften rapidly. Enjoying it slightly chilled or room temp lets all those chai spice flavors sing!
FAQs
Can I use a different spice blend instead of chai spices?
Absolutely! While the chai spice blend is signature to this recipe, you can experiment with cinnamon alone or other warming spices like pumpkin pie spice. Keep in mind that each variation will subtly change the flavor, but the cake will still be delicious.
Is it necessary to use dark brown sugar?
Dark brown sugar adds a richer, deeper molasses flavor that complements the chai spices beautifully. Light brown sugar can be used in a pinch, but the taste won’t be as robust or complex.
What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?
You can substitute with mascarpone for a slightly milder flavor or use a buttercream frosting, but cream cheese frosting provides the perfect tang and creaminess that balances the spicy sweetness of the cake perfectly.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help with the texture and rise.
How long does this cake stay fresh after frosting?
When properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the cake stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days. The cream cheese frosting is perishable, so keeping it cold is important for both flavor and food safety.
Final Thoughts
This Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly a celebration of cozy flavors wrapped up in a gorgeous cake. It’s perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself to a special moment of bliss. I hope you dive in and make this lovely recipe your own soon—it’s sure to bring warmth and joy to your table!
Print
Brown Sugar Chai Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Brown Sugar Chai Cake is a moist and fragrant treat that combines a rich chai spice blend with the deep sweetness of dark brown sugar. Perfectly balanced with a creamy cream cheese frosting, this cake is ideal for gatherings or a cozy afternoon indulgence.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or light-tasting olive oil)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp chai spice blend (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, cold
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to ensure the cakes release easily after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, chai spice blend, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix the dark brown sugar, neutral oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and whole milk until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can make the cake dense.
- Divide and bake: Evenly divide the cake batter between the two prepared pans. Place them in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes: Remove the cake pans from the oven and allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before frostings to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prepare frosting: Beat the cold cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost the cake: Once the cake layers are fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over one layer, stack the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides of the cake as desired.
- Serve and enjoy: Slice and serve the cake. Store any leftovers refrigerated to keep the frosting fresh.
Notes
- Using room temperature eggs ensures they mix more evenly into the batter.
- For chai spice, you can create your own blend with equal parts cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- The cake is best served within 2-3 days if refrigerated.
- You can substitute whole milk with buttermilk for a tangier flavor and more tender crumb.
- To make this cake dairy-free, substitute the milk and cream cheese with appropriate plant-based alternatives.
