Recipe: Vanilla Chai Cupcakes

I love Chai tea. No, really, I loooooooooove Chai tea.
I genuinely own about 4 or 5 different types of Chai with which to make tea.
Do not underestimate me here, I am seriously obsessed.

I've just gotten back to my flat after spending a few days at my parents house, as I'd ended up with more time off than expected when I came back from Versailles, during the last few days, I just didn't know what to do with myself & so out of boredom, I baked, much to my parents enjoyment!

I've made cupcakes with tea flavours before, a favourite being Earl Grey cupcakes or lemon & ginger in a lemon drizzle cake. And I've made Chai tea cupcakes a few times in the past, but this time I definitely aced it with my quantities!

Chai is just such a fabulously warming, comforting mix of spices that are just packed full of flavour, so why on earth wouldn't you want more ways with which to use & consume this wonderful mix?


What you'll need :-
For the cake;
100g unsalted butter, softened
50g caster sugar
50g soft brown sugar
100g self raising flour, sifted
2 eggs
2 tablespoons of strongly brewed chai tea
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves

For the icing;
100g icing sugar, sifted
50g butter, softened
2 tablespoons of strongly brewed chai tea
a pinch of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves

Method :-

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC

2. Brew a small mug of chai tea - usually I pour about half a cup of boiling water over two teabags & let it steep for as long as possible.

3. Mix the butter & sugars together, then adding eggs & chai tea alternatively with the flour until all mixed together throughly.

4. Add the extra spices & vanilla essence - I've listed what I'd recommend using, but obviously you can use as little or as much as you like.

5. Line a cupcake or muffin tray with cupcake cases & spoon in the mixture.

6. Leave to bake for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Then removed from the over and allow to stand & cool while you make the icing.

7. Beat the butter for the icing with about half the icing sugar, then add the Chai tea & mix until combined.

8. Add the spices & the rest of the icing sugar - again, add the spices to your own taste. If the icing mixture is too runny, add more icing sugar. Mix until all combined & is light and fluffy.

9. When the cakes are fully cooled, pipe or smear on the icing & decorate as you like - you can sprinkle with more of the spice mix, add a small stick of cinnamon or simply used some sprinkles.

10. Sit down, relax & enjoy a cupcake with a giant mug of chai tea. (And don't forget to let me know how they turned out for you!)