I fell in love with chai cupcakes the very first time I tasted them, which was at my sister-in-law’s wedding almost four years ago. After having them a couple more times since that day, I came to the conclusion that I had to figure out how to make them. They are just that good!
I came across a recipe on Taste of Home and made adaptations to make it slightly healthier and easier to follow. (They are still cupcakes, though, so there is only so much you can do to make them “healthy.”) Hope you enjoy my tutorial!
Chai Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/8 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups flour I use unbleached white
- 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup 2% milk
Buttercream Frosting
- 3 Tbsp butter softened
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 Tbsp 2% milk
- Extra cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
Cupcakes
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In a large mixing bowl, use a fork or whisk to cream sugar and softened butter until all grains of sugar are mixed in (approximately 1-2 minutes).
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Add egg and vanilla, and cream until fully mixed in (approximately 1 minute).
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In a small bowl, make 5-spice mixture (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and pepper).
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In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and 1-1/2 teaspoons of 5-spice mixture.
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Gradually add milk and dry mixture to wet mixture. Whisk until fully combined.
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Line a 12-muffin pan with muffin cups, and fill 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22-24 minutes at 350 degrees.
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Cupcakes are done when toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When cupcakes can be removed without burning your fingers, place on wire rack to cool.
Frosting
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Once cupcakes have cooled, make frosting. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat softened butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually add milk until you have reached the desired consistency for decorating. Add 1/2 of remaining 5-spice mixture, and taste. Add more if desired.
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Decorate cupcakes. I use a piping bag (also known as a pastry bag). They are available at most grocery stores, but if you already have a pastry tip, you can use a sandwich-size plastic bag.
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Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon (and/or remaining spice mixture, if you didn’t use it all in the frosting).
Recipe Notes
In my opinion, one batch of frosting is just the right amount for one batch of cupcakes (makes 12). But if you're a frosting lover and want tons, feel free to double.
Do you drink chai often? I'm always looking for a good kind to buy. I love spicy tea
A friend gave me Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice tea this winter and the first cup won me over. It is an herbal chai and is now my favorite tea. It is good served with a little milk and has a hint of sweetness on its own. For a spicier tea, I recommend Country Spice's Cinnamon Orange (http://www.mygourmetcafe.com/cosptea.html). It packs a punch!
I don't drink it too often, but I do enjoy it. My favorite is Bigelow Vanilla Chai. Thanks to the commenter who offered suggestions! I'll have to try those out.
Ellie
I am SO excited that you shared this, thank you! I may have to make a batch of cupcakes this weekend… 😁😁😁
If you try them, let me know what you think!
Ellie
Those looks soooo good! Thanks for the recipie! Yesterday I made fudge with those kinds of spices and some marmelade instead of the bit of syrup the recipient called for. Turned out good. That is fast tracking a sweet treat.
That sounds delicious! Did you follow a specific recipe, or did you make it up as you went along?
Ellie
Thank you!! This my favorite tea. The cupcakes sound great!
My pleasure! If you give them a try, let me know what you think. 🙂
Ellie
Never tried this kind of tea but the cupcakes sound delicious,thank you Ellie!
Sure thing. I hadn't tried chai tea until several years ago, but it's quite delicious, and these cupcakes are even better (I think the sugar helps with that, lol).
Ellie
A friend gave me a box of chai tea once. It was not my cup of tea. Too "biting" with all those spices together. They are spices I use in cooking, but separately. Cardamom is in a lot of German cookie and stollen recipes and I have nothing against it, other than the price. Just could not stomach a hot cup of water with all that steeped in it together!
Nice pun. 🙂
Ellie
This looks DELICIOUS!! I'll have to try it one of these days. 🙂
Thanks, Terra! If you try the recipe, I would love to know what you think. 🙂
Ellie
Does anyone have a good coffee cake recipe that they can share? Thanks!
I made them yesterday–delicious! Thanks for the recipe, Ellie!
Glad to hear that, Allison!
Ellie
Great recipe! I'll have to make them for my sister, who LOVES chai flavor.
Let me know what you and your sister think of them. 🙂
Ellie
Those were delicious!!!! I made them on Saturday and my husband told me that this recipe was truly a keeper 🙂
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed them.
Blessings,
Ellie
I made Chai cupcakes for the first time and they were delicious. First time I bought cardamom and it was expensive, but I bought it anyway. The only thing I did different, I used a mixer instead of a whisk. I'm going to make them again for my daughter's family. Thanks for the recipe.
Glad to hear that. My pleasure. 🙂
Ellie