Name: Chai Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk (or chai-steeped milk); 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; Pinch of ground black pepper

Soft, spiced, and completely cozy, Chai Cake is the answer when you want your dessert to taste like your favorite warm drink. This cake is the perfect marriage of tender crumb and those sweet-and-spicy notes of chai tea—think cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves—wrapped in a light and fluffy frosting that makes every bite feel like a hug in dessert form.

Whether you’re serving it up for a fall get-together, holiday dessert table, or just a midweek treat with tea, this chai cake has a charm that’s impossible to resist. It fills your kitchen with the most aromatic scent while baking and delivers on flavor without being too heavy or overly sweet.

Why You’ll Love This Chai Cake

This chai cake has just the right amount of spice to bring warmth without overpowering the sweetness. It pairs beautifully with a cup of black tea or coffee and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. The moist texture is balanced by a creamy frosting that adds a soft contrast to every bite. Plus, it’s one of those bakes that gets better the next day, making it a great make-ahead option.

What Kind of Chai Should I Use?

You can use either chai tea bags or a homemade chai spice blend, depending on how bold you want the flavor. If you’re opting for tea bags, choose a high-quality brand with strong cinnamon and cardamom presence. For a homemade blend, combine ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and a pinch of black pepper. You can steep the tea in warm milk to infuse the cake with flavor or mix the spice directly into your dry ingredients.

Ingredients for the Chai Cake

A good chai cake needs balance—a warm, spicy depth without being too bold. Each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in achieving that.

All-purpose flour keeps the structure tender yet sturdy enough to hold moisture from the spices and liquid.

Granulated sugar sweetens and helps create that golden crust on the edges.

Brown sugar adds a subtle molasses flavor that complements the warm spices beautifully.

Butter gives the cake richness and helps it bake up with a soft crumb.

Eggs bind everything together and give the cake its rise.

Whole milk or chai-steeped milk adds moisture and lets the spice flavors shine.

Vanilla extract smooths out the spice notes and brings balance.

Baking powder and baking soda provide the perfect lift for a light, fluffy texture.

Chai spice mix (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper) gives the cake its signature flavor.

Salt sharpens all the flavors and balances the sweetness.

How To Make the Chai Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans or one 9×13 pan. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This step helps aerate the batter for a soft crumb.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chai spices.

Step 5: Alternate Wet and Dry

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in thirds, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with flour. Mix until just combined.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan(s) and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

How to Serve and Store Chai Cake

This chai cake serves 10 to 12 people, depending on how generous your slices are. It’s fantastic served with a swirl of whipped cream or a spiced cream cheese frosting. Once frosted, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5. The spices deepen over time, making this cake even better the next day.

To freeze, wrap individual slices or the whole cake (unfrosted) tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw at room temperature when ready to serve.

What to Serve With Chai Cake?

A Cup of Hot Masala Chai

Let the cake and its drinkable inspiration come together for the coziest combo.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

A scoop of creamy ice cream next to the spiced cake creates a dreamy contrast.

Caramel Drizzle

Drizzle warm caramel over a slice for an extra touch of sweetness.

Roasted Pears

Lightly roasted pears make a beautiful fall-forward plate.

Toasted Pecans

Add crunch and a toasty flavor that pairs well with chai spices.

Whipped Cream with Orange Zest

A citrusy lift enhances the spices in the cake.

Salted Honey

Drizzle just a touch over the frosting for a unique sweet-savory combo.

Ginger-Infused Whipped Cream

Play up the ginger in the chai spice for a cohesive flavor layer.

Want More Cake Ideas with a Twist?

If you’re loving the warm spices in this chai cake, check out these other comforting bakes:

• Ooey Gooey Butter Cake if you’re craving melt-in-your-mouth indulgence.
• Butter Pecan Pound Cake for a rich, nutty take on classic comfort.
• Carrot Pound Cake with Vanilla Glaze when you want warm spice with a garden twist.
• Decadent Caramel Banana Pecan Cake for an ultra-moist, flavor-packed option.
• Decadent Pistachio Cream Cake if you’re in the mood for creamy, nutty elegance.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use tea or the spice mix? Did you serve it with whipped cream or go bold with caramel?

I love hearing how you make these recipes your own. Got questions? I’m happy to help troubleshoot, adjust, and inspire your next bake.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for feeling great!

Conclusion

Chai cake is one of those sweet treats that feels like a warm blanket. The blend of spices, the soft crumb, the way it pairs with tea or coffee—it’s a cake you’ll come back to again and again. Whether you’re baking for guests or just for yourself, this cake delivers comfort and character in every single bite.