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You are here: Home / Recipes / Desserts / Cakes & Cupcakes / Mini Chai Cupcakes

Mini Chai Cupcakes

Published April 12, 2022 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Mini Chai Cupcakes with text overlay.
Mini Chai Cupcakes with text overlay.
Mini Chai Cupcakes with text overlay.
Mini Chai Cupcakes with text overlay.
Mini Chai Cupcakes with text overlay.
Mini Chai Cupcakes with text overlay.
Mini Chai Cupcakes with text overlay.
Two images of mini chai cupcakes with text overlay between them.

These homemade cupcakes are irresistible with their sweet, luscious buttercream and delicately textured, from-scratch cake which are both infused with a delicious warming chai spice mix. Mini Chai Cupcakes are easy to whip up even if you’re not an experienced baker, plus they’re the perfect bite-sized treat.

Mini chai cupcakes on a cake stand with cinnamon sticks.

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Homemade Mini Chai Cupcakes are the perfect balance of sweet and warm spices. These light-as-air cupcakes are infused with chai spice mix and adorned with a sugary buttercream frosting which is flavored with the same spices. If you enjoy a little extra spicy kick, be sure to dust the finished cupcakes with a dash of cinnamon for a tasty and decorative extra flourish.

Making cupcakes from scratch is a quite simple and straightforward process. You may decorate them as you like by either piping the icing for a dressed up, fancy look or simply using a butterknife to spread the icing on top. It’s up to you to decide how rustic or elegant you prefer for them to appear.

These tiny Chai Cupcakes are wonderful for serving to a crowd or at parties as they’re the perfect little bite sized portion.

If you would like to try other varieties of mini cupcakes, be sure to checkout my recipes for Vanilla Cupcakes and Chocolate Cupcakes. Also, if you’re a big fan of the flavors in chai spice mix like me, try this recipe for Pumpkin Chai Coffee Cake.

Why This Recipe Works

Homemade cupcakes are pretty quick to whip together. You’ll be impressed with the delicious results after following a few easy steps.

Mini cupcakes are great for serving at gatherings, parties, holidays, and celebrations. Make these special treats for your next get together with family friends – they’ll definitely appreciate it.

Chai spice mix is an unexpected flavor for some, but it is well loved by many for its warming spices which is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Chai Cake Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make chai cake on a marble background with text overlay.

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon Chai Spice Mix
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature – this is important!)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (can use whole milk)

Chai Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make chai buttercream frosting on a marble background with text overlay.

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Chai Spice Mix
  • 1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)
  • 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream (can use whole milk)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

Equipment Needed To Make This Recipe

  • mini cupcake pan
  • mini cupcakes liners
  • stand mixer or a hand-held electric mixer and large mixing bowl
  • silicone spatula 
  • toothpicks
  • piping bag and piping tips (if you want to make your frosting look fancier)

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Set the butter out for the cupcakes about an hour before you begin to allow it to come to room temperature. You will also want to set the butter out at least an hour before you plan to make the frosting. 

Note: It’s really important that the butter for the cupcakes is at room temperature. This is so that it can be whipped into the batter for the most perfectly, fluffy, best chai cupcakes!

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a mini cupcake pan with mini paper liners.

Create!

Butter and sugar creamed together in a mixing bowl.

Combine the flour, baking powder, chai spices and salt in a small bowl and set aside

In the bowl of an electric mixture, add the butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

Butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla combined in a mixing bowl.

Add the eggs, one at at time, letting each one fully incorporate before adding the next, then the vanilla extract.

Chai cake batter in a mixing bowl.

Lower the speed on the mixer and gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the heavy cream (or milk), until everything is well combined.

Cupcake liners filled with cake batter.

Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3rds full.

Overhead of mini chai cupcakes in a mini cupcake pan.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the pan and allow to cool.

How Long To Bake Mini Cupcakes

You can turn almost any cupcake recipe into mini cupcakes. The biggest issue is knowing how long to bake mini cupcakes for.

I have found that baking mini cupcakes at 350°F for 12-15 minutes to be the sweet spot. However, all recipes vary so it’s best to check on them frequently when modifying a recipe.

Chai buttercream frosting on a whisk attachment being held up.

To make the frosting, combine all of the ingredients for the frosting in the bowl of an electric mixer fitting with a whisk attachment. Mix, on low speed for a minute, then medium until everything its well combined and smooth.

I use heavy cream for the buttercream frosting to give it a richer, creamier flavor. You can substitute milk, if preferred.

Present!

Mini chai cupcakes on a cake stand with more cupcakes below.

Top the cooled cupcakes with the frosting using a piping bag and tip, spatula or a butter knife.

Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.

Tips and Techniques

  • Be careful not to over mix the cake batter or you may end with cupcakes that are gummy in texture or that sink in the centers. You want to mix until the ingredients are just blended.
  • Measure the flour by gently “fluffing” the flour it is container, then spooning it into a measuring cup without packing. Overfill the cup some, then use the back of a butter knife to level it off. 
  • If you use this recipe to make standard size cupcakes, you may need to increase the bake time by a few minutes. Remember, cupcakes are done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

FAQ’s

How Do You Store Cupcakes?

You can store cupcakes without icing tightly covered at room temperature for a day or two, or with/without frosting in the refrigerator for up to seven days.

Can Cupcakes Be Frozen?

You can freeze cupcakes without frosting, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, for 4-6 months.

Can Cake Frosting Be Frozen?

Yes, both buttercream and cream cheese frostings can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before using.

More Mini Cupcakes Recipes

Mini Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Buttercream Frosting
Mini Coconut Cupcakes are sweet, moist 2-bite cupcakes that are topped with a creamy coconut buttercream frosting. Don’t let their size fool you! Every bite is bursting with tropical coconut flavor. 
Get The Recipe
Close up of a mini coconut cupcakes topped with sugar and gold stars on a white background with additional cupcakes blurred in the background
Mini Vanilla Cupcakes
These 2 bite Mini Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting are sweet, petite and absolutely perfect. They are a delicious, fun dessert option for all types of gatherings and celebrations.
Get The Recipe
3 mini vanilla cupcakes on a small white plate with 3 more blurred in the background on a white backdrop
Mini Chocolate Cupcakes
Mini Chocolate Cupcakes are incredibly delicious, 2-bite treats. They are rich and decadent with the perfect amount of sweetness. Mini desserts are an especially great dessert choice for parties and entertaining. 
Get The Recipe
Mini Chocolate Cupcakes spread out onto a white background

Love this recipe for Mini Chai Cupcakes? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating. I would really appreciate it!

Mini chai cupcakes on a cake stand.
Print

Mini Chai Cupcakes

These homemade cupcakes are irresistible with their sweet, luscious buttercream and delicately textured, from-scratch cake which are both infused with a delicious warming chai spice mix. Mini Chai Cupcakes are easy to whip up even if you’re not an experienced baker, plus they’re the perfect bite-sized treat.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 36 mini cupcakes
Calories 138kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

Chai Cake

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon Chai Spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or whole milk)

Chai Buttercream Frosting

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Chai Spice
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream (or whole milk)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Chai Cake

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a mini cupcake pan with mini paper liners.
  • Combine the flour, baking powder, chai spices and salt in a small bowl and set aside
    1 1/4 cups all purpose flour, 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder, 1 tablespoon Chai Spice, 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • In the bowl of an electric mixture, add the butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
    1/4 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • Add the eggs, one at at time, letting each one fully incorporate before adding the next, then the vanilla extract.
    2 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Lower the speed on the mixer and gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the heavy cream (or milk), until everything is well combined.
    1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3rds full.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the pan and allow to cool.

Chai Buttercream Frosting

  • Combine the powdered sugar, chai spice, unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons of the heavy cream and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer fitting with a whisk attachment.
    4 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon Chai Spice, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Mix, on low speed for a minute, then medium until everything its well combined and smooth, adding more cream very gradually, if needed.
  • Top the cooled cupcakes with the frosting using a piping bag and tip, spatula or a butter knife.
  • Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Be careful not to over mix the cake batter or you may end with cupcakes that are gummy in texture or that sink in the centers. You want to mix until the ingredients are just blended.
  • Measure the flour by gently “fluffing” the flour it is container, then spooning it into a measuring cup without packing. Overfill the cup some, then use the back of a butter knife to level it off. 
  • If you use this recipe to make standard size cupcakes, you may need to increase the bake time by a few minutes. Remember, cupcakes are done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1mini cupcake | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 193IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

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Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes, Desserts, Recipes

Comments

  1. Heidy says

    April 25, 2022 at 6:41 am

    This recipe was so fabulous! I sincerely am glad I found it on Pinterest. We made it for our friends on Friday, and they even said it was awesome. I love when guests are happy! Have a great day. Looking forward to trying a few other recipes!

    Reply
  2. Amita says

    April 24, 2022 at 9:20 pm

    These cute cupcakes came out really perfect. I added a little extra chai spice in the cupcakes and omitted from the frosting and that worked out pretty well too. Yumm.

    Reply
  3. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    April 24, 2022 at 3:01 pm

    OMGosh so super adorable and perfectly poppable! These are light and airy with such an amazing flavor! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Tammy says

    April 23, 2022 at 1:03 pm

    Ooh these look delightful and the frosting looks so creamy and irresistible! I’ve never tried chai spice in cake yet so this is a definite must!

    Reply
  5. Amanda Mason says

    April 20, 2022 at 1:57 pm

    I love the taste of Chai and these cupcakes did not disappoint! Really easy to make and my family really enjoyed them!

    Reply
  6. Annie says

    April 20, 2022 at 10:39 am

    How cute are these little cupcakes?! What a perfectly sized sweet treat. I love that the chai flavor is added to the cupcake and the frosting so you get the full chai experience!

    Reply
  7. Raksha Kamat says

    April 19, 2022 at 11:43 am

    Would love to make these tiny chai cupcakes during tea time. These are perfect even to make for kids birthday parties. Thanks for the tip on how to make standard size cupcakes.

    Reply
  8. Marta says

    April 19, 2022 at 9:54 am

    Chai is one of our favorite drinks, so when I saw these Chai Cupcakes, I jumped at the chance to make them. They tasted like an edible chai latte. The entire family loved them.

    Reply
  9. Freya says

    April 19, 2022 at 2:48 am

    The chai flavour was delicious, strong enough to taste without being overpowering. The cream complemented it perfectly!

    Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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