Chocolate-Chai Cupcakes
I hope you enjoy this recipe for Chocolate-Chai cupcakes. I love how the warm, subtle flavors of cardamon, ginger and cinnamon permeate these moist chocolatey cupcakes. The vanilla-cinnamon butter also heightens the chai flavor of the cakes.
I whipped these up when I was having a particularly stressful day. The nighty power of cupcakes prevailed. Not only was I able to refocus my nervous energy, but within about 30 minutes I was feasting on the ideal comfort food. I call that and win-win, my friends.
I hope I’ve inspired you to bake up some happiness.
Wishing you sweet satisfaction,
Anita
Chocolate-Chai Cupcakes:
Makes one dozen cupcakes
Ingredients:
-3/4 cup cocoa powder
-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
-1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-1/4 tsp salt
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1 tsp ground ginger
-1 tsp cardamon
-pinch of black pepper
-3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
-1 cup white sugar
-3 large eggs
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp buttermilk
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and chai spices.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter, and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add one egg at a time. Add Vanilla.
4. Add flour and buttermilk to wet ingredients alternating, and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
5. Divide batter into cupcake pan, about 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 20 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
Vanilla-Cinnamon Buttercream:
Ingredients:
-3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
-3-4 cups icing sugar
-1-2 tsp milk (optional)
-1 1 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp cinnamon
-pinch ground ginger
-pinch cardamon powder
Directions:
1. Cream butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
2. Add one cup of icing sugar at a time. Scrape down sides of the down frequently. Add spices.
3. If the mixture is too stiff, you can add 1 tsp of milk at a time to loosen it a bit. Beat until the icing is as fluffy as a heavenly cloud of sweetness.
Anita Kushwaha, Author 
The chai comes through almost delicately… The icing smooth and soothing… a cup of latte is a perfect accompaniment… another great flavour.
This sounds amazing! I have to try out this recipe soon, thank you for sharing.
Thank you! It’s one of my favorites. :) I hope you enjoy it too!!
Hey, there. Excited to try this recipe out. Just a quick question: when does one add the cocoa powder, with the dry ingredients?
Hi! Yes, you add the cocoa powder in with the flour and other dry ingredients. I hope it works out for you! :)
Thanks for the close reading. I’ve corrected the recipe to include the ” addcocoa” to the directions. Silly me. :)