Chai Cupcakes with Brown Butter Chai Icing.
User Reviews
4.9
Chai Cupcakes with Brown Butter Chai Icing.
Description
Chai Cupcakes with Brown Butter Chai Icing combine a mix of chai spices—ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg—into a soft, moist cupcake batter made with butter, sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. The batter is baked until just set to retain tenderness. The frosting uses browned butter, intensifying the nutty flavor, and is blended with powdered sugar and the same chai spices, plus vanilla extract and milk to reach a spreadable consistency. The cupcakes are finished with a sprinkle of raw sugar mixed with cinnamon and cardamom for a slight crunch and spice boost.
The result is a complex spice profile balanced by creamy sweetness, with the brown butter adding depth to the icing. This spice-forward cupcake suits occasions where the flavors of chai tea are desired in a baked good. They pair well with warm beverages and can be served at gatherings where comforting desserts are welcome.
The recipe requires beating the butter and sugar until fluffy for the cupcake base and careful browning and cooling of the butter for the frosting to achieve the right texture and flavor. Allowing the cupcakes to cool fully before frosting preserves their soft crumb. The sugar topping can be adjusted for sweetness or omitted if preferred.
Ingredients
cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves ground
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg large plus 1 egg white
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup milk whole
frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, browned and cooled to solid room temp
- 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
crunchy sugar topping
- 1/4 cup raw sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with liners.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices and salt. Set it aside.
- Add the butter to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat it until creamy. Add the sugar and beat with the butter on high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well on medium speed until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add in the oil and vanilla extract, beating on medium speed for another minute. With the mixer on low speed, add in half of the dry ingredients. Pour in the milk. Add in the other half of the dry ingredients and mix them on medium speed until the batter is combined.
- Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 of the way full. Bake until the tops are set, about 16 to 17 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.
frosting
- Add the butter to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on high speed until creamy. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in the sugar. Add in the ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and allspice. Beat until the sugar is incorporated and add the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed. Beat the frosting on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy and creamy. If the frosting seems too thick, beat in the tablespoon of milk for 1 to 2 minutes until combined.
- Frost the cupcakes once cooled. To make the crunchy sugar topping, stir together the raw sugar with the cinnamon and cardamom. Sprinkle on top of the frosting!
Notes
- Make sure to cool the cupcakes completely before applying the brown butter chai frosting to prevent melting.
- Brown the butter carefully and allow it to cool until solid but still soft before mixing with powdered sugar for the best frosting texture.
- The crunchy sugar topping provides texture contrast but can be adjusted or omitted based on preference.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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