Vanilla Chai Cupcakes

Back in the good old days when I was not obsessed with coffee, I would order a chai tea latte every time I went to a coffee shop.  I learned that chai tea lattes are especially delicious when you ask for a shot of vanilla in them.  When I saw the recipe for Vanilla Chai Cupcakes, I knew I would love them.  It was my first time using decorating bags, and clearly I need more practice.  Nevertheless, they were great cupcakes.

Vanilla Chai Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 teaspoons chai spice mix (1-1/2 teaspoons cardamom, 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg)

1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees and prepare a muffin pan with paper liners.

2.  Combine the chai spices and set aside.

3.  Cream together the butter and sugar.  Beat in the vanilla and eggs, adding one egg at a time.  Add 2 teaspoons of the chai spice mix.  Alternately fold in the flour and buttermilk, stirring just until combined.  

4.  Mix the baking soda and vinegar, and then stir into the batter.

5.  Fill prepared tins 3/4 full.  Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Cool completely.

Chai-Spiced Buttercream

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

remainder of chai spice mix

1 tablespoon cold milk, if necessary

Directions:

1.  Beat the butter until creamy.  

2.  Mix in the vanilla and chai spice mix on low speed.

3.  Beat in the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.

4.  Add cold milk if frosting is too thick.

5.  Pipe onto cupcakes.

Source:  Gimme Some Oven