Description
A moist and fragrant lemon chai cake infused with warm chai spices and bright lemon zest. This tender, spiced loaf is perfect for afternoon tea or a cozy dessert, offering a delightful balance of citrus and aromatic spices.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process helps incorporate air for a tender crumb.
- Add eggs and lemon flavors: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, fold in the lemon zest and lemon juice to infuse the batter with bright citrus notes.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake. Stir in the vanilla extract last.
- Pour batter and bake: Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This preserves the cake’s moist texture.
Notes
- Drizzle with a lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice for extra sweetness and sparkle.
- Serve with whipped cream or alongside a cup of your favorite tea for an enhanced experience.
- Store the cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
