Description
This cozy and flavorful chai-spiced brown sugar cake is soft, tender, and filled with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. Made with rich dark brown sugar and topped with a silky cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect dessert for fall gatherings, holiday tables, or any time you’re craving a warm, comforting treat.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
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2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
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1 ¼ cups dark brown sugar, packed
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1 cup neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or light-tasting olive oil)
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1 cup whole milk
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3 large eggs, room temperature
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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1 tbsp chai spice blend (or mix of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves)
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
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8 oz cream cheese, cold
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 cups powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, chai spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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In another bowl, mix brown sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
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Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
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Divide batter evenly between pans.
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Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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Let cakes cool completely before frosting.
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For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat until fluffy.
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Frost cooled cake layers and serve.
Notes
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
For extra warmth, serve with a chai latte or spiced tea.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American