Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe
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If you’re ready to indulge in something truly special, this Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe is exactly what you need to bring warmth and a touch of magic to your dessert table. Imagine tender, fragrant layers infused with chai’s signature spices and the comforting caramel depth of dark brown sugar, all wrapped up in a luscious cream cheese frosting that balances sweetness with a slight tang. This cake is not just a treat; it’s an experience that brings cozy chai vibes into every bite, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring on your own during a well-deserved moment of calm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making this cake a soulful delight. Each component is simple yet essential, contributing texture, aroma, and rich flavor that will make your Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe stand out. From the warm spices to the tender fats, every ingredient plays its role perfectly.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of your cake, providing structure and crumb.
- Dark brown sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture, making the cake irresistibly soft.
- Baking powder: The magic leavening agent that ensures fluffy, light layers.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness beautifully.
- Cinnamon: Brings warmth and a classic chai touch.
- Cardamom: Offers a sweet, aromatic spice essential to chai’s character.
- Ginger: Adds subtle heat and depth, awakening the palate.
- Allspice: Provides a complex spiced flavor that rounds out the chai profile.
- Nutmeg: Adds a slightly nutty, sweet warmth to the spice mix.
- Cloves: Imparts a bold, aromatic finish for a full chai experience.
- Unsalted butter: Contributes richness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Neutral oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender; don’t skip this for balance.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess and moisture with room temperature to blend smoothly.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cake’s structure.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out all flavors with a subtle, sweet warmth.
- Cream cheese: The star component for tangy, creamy frosting that complements the spices.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and ensures a smooth texture.
How to Make Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Cake Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F and greasing two 9-inch cake pans; lining them with parchment paper ensures a smooth release after baking. Soak cake strips in ice water to help the cakes bake evenly without doming too much. In your stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and all those beautifully aromatic chai spices: cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Next, cut cold butter into small cubes and pulse it into the dry ingredients on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand—this technique ensures a wonderfully tender crumb. Now add your neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing just until everything is combined. Don’t overmix here; you want moist, fluffy layers without toughness.
Step 2: Baking the Layers
Divide your batter evenly into the prepared pans, smoothing the tops to keep them even. Wrap your soaked cake strips around the pans; these help the edges bake evenly, preventing over-browning and maintaining a soft, tender crust. Place the pans in your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean. Remove the cakes and immediately transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Wrapping and freezing the cakes once cool makes the layers easier to frost later, so don’t skip this step if you have the time!
Step 3: Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cake layers cool or soften from the freezer, prepare the frosting. In the same stand mixer bowl, beat room temperature butter and cold cream cheese on high speed until gloriously smooth and creamy. Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar while mixing on low speed to avoid a cloud of sugar in the air. After all the sugar is incorporated, keep beating on low speed until the frosting has no lumps or air pockets and feels silky. This smooth frosting is the perfect balance to the warmly spiced cake layers.
Step 4: Assembling the Cake
Secure one cake layer on your cake stand with a dab of frosting beneath it to prevent sliding. Using an offset spatula, spread an even, generous layer of frosting over the top, smoothing it out beautifully. Gently place your second cake layer on top and finish decorating the cake as you like with the remaining frosting. A light sprinkle of cinnamon over the top adds a lovely aromatic touch. Now you’ve completed this Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe—a showstopper ready to impress!
How to Serve Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To highlight the chai spices, try sprinkling a pinch of cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar on top right before serving. For a festive touch, you could add a few whole cardamom pods or star anise beside each slice for a pretty and fragrant accent.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of chai tea or a creamy latte, which echoes the spicy-sweet notes of the dessert. Fresh fruit like sliced pears or apples on the side brings a refreshing contrast that balances the cake’s richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, layer this cake on a beautiful cake stand surrounded by small bowls of your favorite chai spices. You can serve individual slices with a drizzle of honey or a dollop of lightly whipped cream infused with vanilla or cinnamon to elevate every bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once decorated, store your Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe in an airtight cake container or cover loosely with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days, allowing the flavors to mature even more wonderfully.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully, whether frosted or unfrosted. Wrap each cake layer tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before frosting or serving.
Reheating
Since this is a chilled cream cheese frosted cake, it’s best served cold or at room temperature. To take the chill off, remove the cake from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving or warming to maintain the frosting’s perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar?
While light brown sugar can be used, dark brown sugar offers deeper caramel flavors that perfectly complement the chai spices, so the final cake will be less rich if substituted.
Do I need to use cake strips when baking?
Cake strips are highly recommended as they help ensure the layers bake evenly with flat tops, making assembly easier and the final cake look more polished.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
You could try using a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary. For best texture, follow the recipe with all-purpose flour or experiment with gluten-free baking practices.
Is the cream cheese frosting sweet or tangy?
The cream cheese frosting balances both sweetness and tanginess, enriching the spice flavors without overpowering the cake.
How long does it take to make this Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe?
From start to finish, expect about 1 hour and 35 minutes, including baking and cooling time, making it a lovely project for a leisurely afternoon baking session.
Final Thoughts
Your kitchen is about to become the coziest spot with this Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe baking away. It’s a dreamy blend of warm spices, rich brown sugar, and creamy frosting that feels like a comforting hug in dessert form. I can’t wait for you to make this cake your own, share it with loved ones, and savor every delicious bite. Happy baking!
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Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and aromatic Spiced Brown Sugar Chai Layer Cake featuring warming chai spices blended into a moist cake, layered and frosted with a smooth cream cheese frosting. Perfect for gatherings or cozy evenings, this cake boasts flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and more, creating a unique twist on classic spice cake.
Ingredients
For the Brown Sugar Chai 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 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 140 g (10 tablespoon) unsalted butter, room temperature, cubed
- 100 g (½ cup) neutral oil
- 283 g (1 ¼ cups) whole milk, room temperature
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 227 g (16 tablespoon) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 12 oz (1 ½ blocks) cream cheese, cold
- 340 g (3 cups) powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Prepare the cake pans and ingredients. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Soak cake strips in ice water to prepare for use around pans.
- Mix dry ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and chai spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves).
- Incorporate butter into dry ingredients. Cut unsalted butter into small cubes and add it to the dry mixture. Mix on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand, ensuring butter is well distributed.
- Add wet ingredients and combine. Add the neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix until just combined to form the cake batter without overmixing.
- Divide batter and prepare to bake. Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans. Wrap soaked cake strips around the outside of pans to prevent doming and promote even baking.
- Bake the cakes. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Immediately turn cakes out onto wire racks to cool completely before wrapping and freezing for easier frosting.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a clean stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter and cold cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar while mixing on low speed. Continue mixing until the frosting is fully combined, smooth, and free of lumps and air pockets.
- Assemble the cake. Place the first cake layer on the cake stand, securing it with a small amount of frosting. Using an offset spatula, spread an even layer of frosting over the top before placing the second cake layer on top.
- Decorate and serve. Finish frosting the cake as desired. Lightly sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon on top for garnish. Slice and serve the delicious spiced chai layer cake.
Notes
- Using ice water-soaked cake strips helps the cake layers bake evenly without doming.
- Freezing the cake layers before frosting makes decorating easier and cleaner.
- Room temperature ingredients ensure better mixing and cake texture.
- This cake can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen after assembly for longer storage.
- Adjust the spice levels according to personal preference for stronger or milder chai flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
