Chai Tea Cake (India)

Recipe Overview 🍽️

History of the Recipe ✍️

Chai masala is a traditional Indian beverage made from black tea infused with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. This cake is inspired by this drink, offering a sweet and indulgent version of this spiced and comforting combination. The Chai Tea Cake is a beautiful way to fuse Indian flavors into a dessert.

Ingredients 🛒

listed in the order of use in the procedure:

• 250 g flour
• 200 g sugar
• 100 g melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 120 ml chai tea (strong infusion of black tea with spices)
• 1 packet of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• 50 ml milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps (How to Make ) 🥣

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the chai tea: Steep 1 to 2 tea bags of black tea with chai spices in 120 ml of hot water for about 5 minutes. Let it cool slightly.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves (if using).
4. Mix the wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and cooled chai tea infusion. Mix well.
5. Combine the dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a smooth batter forms.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake—it should come out clean.
7. Cool and decorate: Let the cake cool before removing it from the pan. You can dust it with icing sugar or sprinkle some ground spices for an extra touch.

Chef Tips 👨‍🍳

• Stronger infusion: For a more intense chai flavor, increase the amount of tea and steep it for a longer time.
• Moister cake: Add a tablespoon of plain yogurt to improve the cake’s texture.
• Decoration: For an even more fragrant presentation, sprinkle the cake with cinnamon or cardamom just before serving.

Possible Variations 🎭

• Chai Tea and Chocolate Cake: Add dark chocolate chips to the batter for a richer twist.
• Chai Tea and Dried Fruits Cake: Add nuts or raisins to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
• Vegan Chai Tea Cake: Replace the eggs with vegan substitutes like applesauce or vegan yogurt, and use plant-based milk.

Bake Time 🔥

Baking takes about 35 to 40 minutes at 180°C (350°F).

How to Store 🥡

Food and Drink Pairings 🥂

This cake pairs perfectly with a cup of chai tea for an authentic Indian taste, or with a spiced black tea like Darjeeling. It can also be enjoyed with a light coffee or a vanilla latte.

Presentation Suggestion 🍽️

Serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a little plain yogurt. You can also decorate it with orange slices or lemon zest to bring a tangy contrast to the spices.

Why It’s Healthy 💚

Though this cake is rich in sugar, it is flavored with natural spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, which offer health benefits, such as aiding digestion and having anti-inflammatory properties.