Brown Sugar Chai Cake (Print-Friendly Version)

Soft, spiced brown sugar cake with warm chai notes and a tangy cream cheese frosting for festive occasions.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Brown Sugar Chai Cake

01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
06 - 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
07 - 1 teaspoon ground ginger
08 - 1 teaspoon ground allspice
09 - 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cloves
11 - 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
12 - 1/2 cup neutral oil
13 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk, at room temperature
14 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
15 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

16 - 16 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
17 - 12 ounces cream cheese, cold
18 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Soak cake strips in ice water and set aside until ready to use.
03 - In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves.
04 - Cut the unsalted butter into small cubes. Add them to the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand.
05 - Add neutral oil, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined and the batter is smooth.
06 - Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans. Gently wrap the soaked cake strips around each pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Immediately turn the cakes out onto a wire rack and let them cool completely. Once cooled, wrap the cake layers in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to assemble.
08 - In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat unsalted butter and cold cream cheese on high speed until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until fully combined and smooth.
09 - Secure one cake layer on a cake stand with a dab of frosting underneath. Spread an even layer of frosting with an offset spatula, then place the second cake layer on top. Finish frosting and decorating as desired. Optionally, dust with a small amount of cinnamon before serving.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Soak cake strips in ice water before wrapping around the pans to ensure flat, evenly baked cake layers.
02 - For optimal frosting results, use cold cream cheese and room temperature butter.
03 - Freeze cake layers for at least two hours before frosting for easier handling and cleaner results.
04 - Always sift powdered sugar to achieve a smooth and lump-free frosting.

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