Description
A moist, fragrant spice cake inspired by the cozy comfort of a warm chai latte, topped with dreamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and cinnamon. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake. Optionally, swirl the top and dust with cinnamon. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Be sure to let the cake cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting. For a lighter touch, use Greek yogurt in place of half the cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chai cake, spice cake, fall dessert, cream cheese frosting