Description
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of a spiced chai latte in cupcake form with this delightful recipe. These tender cupcakes are infused with the aromatic blend of traditional chai spices and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
For the cupcakes:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 chai tea bags
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Prepare the chai-infused milk: Heat the milk in a small saucepan until steaming, then steep the chai tea bags in the milk for 5–7 minutes. Squeeze out excess liquid and let the milk cool slightly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and cooled chai-infused milk.
- Combine batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon and beat until fluffy.
- Frost: Frost the cooled cupcakes and garnish with a dusting of cinnamon if desired.
Notes
- For stronger chai flavor, use a chai concentrate in place of milk.
- You can also add a touch of black pepper for a more traditional spice profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
