Description
Easy Chai Spice Cake with Brown Sugar combines cozy chai spices, dark brown sugar, and cream cheese frosting. A moist, flavorful cake perfect for fall and winter gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
390 g (3 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour
320 g (1 ½ cups) dark brown sugar
15 g (1 tbsp + ¾ tsp) baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons cardamom
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cloves
140 g (10 tbsp) unsalted butter, room temp
100 g (½ cup) neutral oil
283 g (1 ¼ cups) whole milk, room temp
2 eggs, room temp
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
227 g (16 tbsp) unsalted butter, room temp
12 oz (1 ½ blocks) cream cheese, cold
340 g (3 cups) powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Soak cake strips in ice water.
2. In a stand mixer, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices. Add cubed butter and mix until it resembles wet sand.
3. Add oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
4. Divide batter evenly into pans, wrap with cake strips, and bake 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Turn cakes onto wire racks immediately and cool fully. Wrap and freeze layers before decorating if desired.
6. For frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add sifted powdered sugar, mixing until thick and creamy.
7. Assemble cake: Place first layer on serving plate with a dab of frosting underneath. Spread frosting evenly, add the second layer, and frost the top and sides. Sprinkle cinnamon to finish.
Notes
Use cake strips for flat, even layers.
Freeze layers before decorating for easier handling.
Keep cream cheese cold and butter room temp for smooth frosting.
Always sift powdered sugar for a lump-free finish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 110mg