Chai Spice Coffee Cake
There’s something magical about the aroma of chai spices wafting through your kitchen, isn’t there?
It feels warm, cozy, and welcoming, like a hug in dessert form.
This Chai Spice Coffee Cake is one of my all-time favorite treats for the whole family.
It has the right amount of chai spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, and it’s soft and buttery.
Also, there is a streusel topping that is crumbly and buttery that makes every bite taste amazing.
It’s a great dessert for brunches, holiday mornings, or just because you want something sweet with your coffee or tea.
This recipe is really easy and kids love it.
My kids love helping with the streusel—it’s basically just squishing butter and flour together with their little fingers!
Trust me, this cake will become a regular in your home, especially when the weather gets chilly.
What You Will Need
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups of flour that can be used for anything
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup of light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup of flour for all purposes
- ½ cup of light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup of chilled, unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Tools You’ll Need
- Bowls for mixing
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- A baking pan that is 9 inches by 9 inches
- Small whisk or fork (for the streusel)
How to Make Chai Spice Coffee Cake
1. Prepare the Streusel
Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl. Add the cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a fork to crumble it into a sandy texture. Set aside.
2. Prep the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla after adding the eggs one at a time.
4. Mix the wet and dry things together.
Add half the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture, followed by half the sour cream. Repeat until everything is just combined.
5. Assemble the Cake
Pour half the batter into a greased 9×9-inch pan. Add half of the streusel on top. Add the remaining batter and finish with the rest of the streusel.
6. Bake
Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before serving.
Pro Tips
- Measure your spices carefully! Chai spices can be bold, so a little goes a long way.
- Use room-temperature butter and eggs. This helps the cake batter mix smoothly and makes the cake light and fluffy.
- Don’t overmix the batter. When you mix too much, the cake can become dense. Just stir until everything is mixed.
- Keep an eye on the streusel. If it’s browning too quickly, you can tent the cake with foil in the oven.
- Want a more intense chai flavor? Add a pinch more cardamom—it’s the secret to the perfect chai spice kick!
Substitutions & Variations
- No sour cream? Use plain Greek yogurt instead—it works just as well!
- Don’t have all the spices? You can use a pre-made chai spice blend or even pumpkin pie spice in a pinch.
- Gluten-free? Swap out the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Put in some nuts! Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping for a crunchy twist.
Tips for Making Ahead
You can bake this coffee cake a day ahead and keep it covered at room temperature. The flavors actually get even better as it sits overnight. You can also prepare the streusel topping in advance and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Leftovers & Storage
Put any leftovers in a container that won’t let air in and keep them at room temperature for up to three days. You can also freeze the coffee cake for up to 2 months—just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
This Chai Spice Coffee Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a little slice of warmth and comfort that you can share with the people you love.
Whether you’re serving it for brunch, a holiday gathering, or just a cozy day at home, it’s sure to make everyone smile.
Give it a try, and don’t forget to let me know how it turned out!
Leave a comment with your thoughts or any questions—I’m here to help.
Have fun baking! 😊