Description
This Chai Cake is a soft, fluffy, and warmly spiced dessert infused with classic chai flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, topped with a creamy brown butter cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp chai spice mix (or a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and allspice)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, browned
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- 2–2 1/2 cups (240-300g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and line an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, chai spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- For the frosting: brown the butter in a saucepan until golden and nutty, then let it cool to room temperature until solidified but soft.
- Beat the browned butter with cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, and mix until creamy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and serve.
Notes
- You can make your own chai spice mix using cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and allspice.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Brown the butter ahead of time to allow it to cool before making the frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
