Chai-Spiced Cupcakes

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Chai-Spiced Cupcakes.

1. Step 1

   Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by greasing it or lining it with paper baking cups. This will ensure your cupcakes come out easily and look great!

2. Step 2

   In a saucepan, heat the milk until it's almost boiling. Once it reaches that point, remove it from the heat and add the black tea and chai tea bags. Cover the saucepan and let the tea steep for about 10 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the flavors to infuse beautifully into the milk. After steeping, gently wring out the tea bags into the milk to extract all that delicious flavor, then discard the bags.

3. Step 3

   In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the tea-infused milk, yogurt, sugar, canola oil, and vanilla extract until well combined. This mixture will add moisture and flavor to your cupcakes, making them irresistibly soft.

4. Step 4

   In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir these dry ingredients together until they are evenly mixed. The spices will give your cupcakes that signature chai flavor!

5. Step 5

   Now, pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir the mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine!

6. Step 6

   Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising. Bake in your preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed. The aroma of chai will fill your kitchen, making it hard to wait!

7. Step 7

   Once baked, let the cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important to ensure they don’t become soggy. When they’re cool, arrange them on a serving platter and feel free to frost them with your favorite frosting—vanilla pairs wonderfully with the chai flavors!