Description
These Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes are a cozy blend of fall flavors in cupcake form. Infused with warm chai spices and real pumpkin, and topped with a luscious cinnamon brown sugar frosting, they taste like your favorite autumn latte—only sweeter.
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
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1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
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2 tsp baking powder
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1 tbsp chai tea powder
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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½ tsp ground ginger
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¼ tsp ground cloves
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¼ tsp ground cardamom
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½ cup pumpkin puree
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1 cup granulated sugar
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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½ cup milk
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting:
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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4 cups powdered sugar
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¼ cup brown sugar
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2 tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ cup heavy cream or milk
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
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Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, chai powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamom.
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Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs and pumpkin: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.
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Combine wet and dry: Alternately add the dry mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined.
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Fill and bake: Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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Cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting:
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In a bowl, beat softened butter until creamy.
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Add powdered sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon gradually, mixing well.
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Add vanilla and cream/milk, then beat until light and fluffy.
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Frost cooled cupcakes and optionally dust with cinnamon or top with a sprinkle of chai powder.
Notes
You can substitute chai tea powder with a mix of ground chai spices if unavailable.
For a latte-style finish, drizzle with a little caramel or top with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chai cupcakes, pumpkin spice, latte cupcakes, fall desserts, chai frosting