If you’ve ever dreamed of a cake that wraps you in warm, cozy spices and melts in your mouth with luscious cream cheese frosting, then the Chai Spice Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is about to become your new favorite indulgence. This cake blends the fragrant, aromatic spices of chai tea right into fluffy, tender layers, balanced perfectly by a tangy, silky frosting that makes every bite an irresistible hug. You’ll find this recipe is a delightful balance between comforting flavors and elegant presentation, perfect for a festive gathering or elevating an everyday moment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet essential ingredients is the key to this cake’s magic. Each component plays a thoughtful role, from the rich depth of brown sugar to the fragrant spice blend that brings chai to life, and the creamy frosting that finishes it off with perfect smoothness.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the soft, tender structure that holds the cake deliciously together.
- Dark brown sugar: Adds deep sweetness with subtle molasses notes for richness.
- Baking powder: Ensures the cake rises with a light and airy texture.
- Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and boosts all the flavors.
- Cinnamon: The warming backbone of chai spice that brings a soothing aroma.
- Cardamom: Brings a unique, slightly citrusy brightness to the spice blend.
- Ginger: Adds a spicy bite with gentle heat.
- Allspice: Provides a complex, peppery warmth.
- Nutmeg: Offers a sweet, nutty note to round out the spices.
- Cloves: Imparts an earthy intense depth to the flavor profile.
- Unsalted butter (for cake and frosting): Adds moisture and richness, critical for tender crumb and creamy frosting.
- Neutral oil: Keeps the cake moist without overpowering flavors.
- Whole milk: Ensures a soft crumb and helps dissolve the sugars completely.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients while adding lift and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors, giving the cake a sweet foundation.
- Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, it balances sweetness with tangy creaminess.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting for that irresistible texture.
How to Make Chai Spice Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C), a sweet spot that will gently bake this spiced cake evenly. Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line them with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your beautiful layers will come out flawlessly without sticking.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Spices
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and the aromatic chai spices—cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. This is where the magic begins as these spices mix in harmony, promising that signature chai warmth in every bite.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture and work it in until the texture resembles wet sand. This critical step creates pockets of buttery goodness that melt during baking, giving your cake moist bursts of richness throughout each slice.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Stir in the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract gently but thoroughly. Be careful not to overmix here; just combine until smooth, which keeps the cake tender and light.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and pop them in the oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The spices will fill your kitchen with an inviting aroma that’s almost impossible to resist.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Once baked, allow your cakes to cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling is crucial before frosting, so the cream cheese frosting won’t melt and slide off your perfectly spiced layers.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the butter and cold cream cheese together until completely smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, blending until you achieve a luscious, spreadable frosting that’s sweet with just the right tang.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Spread the cream cheese frosting generously between the cake layers and over the top. Don’t be shy here; this frosting is the cherry on top that brings lovely moisture and balance to your chai spice layers. Add decorative touches if you like – a sprinkle of cinnamon, chopped nuts, or edible flowers enhance both looks and flavor.
How to Serve Chai Spice Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can elevate your cake visually and add complementary textures. Consider dusting the top with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg. Chopped toasted nuts like pistachios or pecans add crunch and an earthy counterpoint. For a lovely touch, a few edible flowers or a drizzle of honey can be mesmerizing.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with simple sides that don’t overshadow but rather complement its warm flavors. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream enhances the cream cheese frosting’s tang. To embrace the chai theme even further, enjoy it alongside a cup of freshly brewed chai tea or a spiced latte for the perfect cozy duo.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, slice this cake into small squares to serve as bite-sized treats or assemble mini versions in mason jars layered with frosting for a stunning presentation. You can also create a beautiful cake board by decorating with scattered spices or powdered sugar swirls—let your creative side shine when serving this showstopper!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover slices of the Chai Spice Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it chilled to maintain the cream cheese frosting’s fresh tang and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil, for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting. If you want to freeze a fully frosted cake, place it in a cake box or cover loosely with plastic wrap and foil, freezing for up to one month—though fresh frosting always tastes best.
Reheating
Since this is a richly spiced, moist cake, it’s best enjoyed at room temperature. Remove chilled slices about 30 minutes before serving to let flavors and texture shine. Avoid microwaving as the frosting can separate, but if needed, warm slices gently for just 10 seconds.
FAQs
Can I use less sugar in the Chai Spice Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?
While you can reduce sugar slightly, keep in mind that both the brown sugar in the cake and powdered sugar in the frosting provide essential sweetness and moisture. Cutting too much may affect texture and balance, especially with the spices involved.
Can I substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for the frosting?
Absolutely! Mascarpone can offer a milder, creamier frosting with less tang, which some may prefer. Just ensure it’s fresh and softened for easy mixing.
How do I make the chai spice mix if I don’t have all the individual spices?
If you’re missing a few spices, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger are key players you shouldn’t skip. You can experiment with a chai tea bag steeped into the milk as an alternative to some ground spices for a subtle chai flavor.
Can I make this cake vegan?
This recipe relies on eggs, butter, milk, and cream cheese, making it challenging to veganize without changing texture and flavor drastically. However, plant-based substitutes for butter, milk, and cream cheese exist. Using flax eggs or commercial egg replacers can help, though results may slightly differ.
What’s the best way to ensure my cake layers bake evenly?
Using parchment-lined pans ensures easy removal, but also make sure to divide the batter equally by weight or volume. Baking at the lower temperature of 325°F allows a gentle rise and even cooking, preventing overbrowning or domed tops.
Final Thoughts
There’s something genuinely special about the Chai Spice Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe that feels like a warm embrace wrapped in every slice. It’s a recipe that invites you to enjoy the rhythm of baking, the delightful smells, and the joy of sharing a home-baked masterpiece. Give it a try—you’ll quickly find it’s a celebration of spice, sweetness, and creamy goodness you’ll want to make over and over again.
Print
Chai Spice Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chai Cake is a fragrant and warmly spiced treat perfect for cozy gatherings. Infused with classic chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, the moist cake layers are topped with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting, making it an irresistible dessert that pairs wonderfully with tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp + 3/4 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 unsalted butter, room temperature, cubed
- 1/2 cup neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 16 tbsp (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 12 oz cream cheese, cold
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line them with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and the blend of chai spices: cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly combined.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the cubed room temperature butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, rub or mix the butter into the flour mixture until it achieves a texture similar to wet sand with small pea-sized pieces.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which helps maintain a tender crumb.
- Divide and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans and gently smooth the tops. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Cool Cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in their pans on a wire rack. Once cooled, carefully remove the cakes from the pans and peel off the parchment paper.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and cold cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting is fully combined and fluffy.
- Frost and Decorate: Place one cake layer on your serving platter and spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting over the top. Add the second layer and frost the top and sides of the assembled cake. Decorate as desired before serving.
Notes
- For best results, ensure eggs and milk are at room temperature before mixing to help create a smooth batter.
- Do not overmix the batter once wet ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.
- The cake layers can be baked a day ahead and wrapped tightly to maintain freshness.
- Store the frosted cake in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
- This cake freezes well if wrapped properly; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
