Description
These Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes are the ultimate fall dessert—moist pumpkin cake infused with warm chai spices, topped with rich cinnamon brown sugar frosting, and finished with a sparkling chai sugar dusting. It’s a cozy coffeehouse-inspired treat that brings serious autumn charm to your table.
Ingredients
Chai Spice Mix:
4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cardamom
½ tsp grated nutmeg
½ tsp allspice
½ tsp ground cloves
⅛ tsp ground black pepper
67 g (⅓ cup) granulated sugar (for topping)
Pumpkin Chai Cupcakes:
120 ml (½ cup) melted coconut oil (or butter/canola)
150 g (¾ cup) packed dark brown sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
360 g (1½ cups) pumpkin puree
190 g (1½ cups) all-purpose flour
1¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp kosher salt
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting:
113 g (8 tbsp) salted butter, room temperature (divided)
60 ml (¼ cup) heavy cream
110 g (½ cup) packed dark brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp cinnamon
180 g (1½ cups) powdered sugar
Instructions
Make Chai Spice Mix: Combine all spices. Set aside half for batter, mix the other half with granulated sugar for topping.
Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line 16 cupcake molds.
Whisk oil, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs, and pumpkin until smooth.
Mix in flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and reserved chai spice. Don’t overmix.
Fill cupcake liners ¾ full. Bake 18–22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Frosting Base: In a small saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter with cream and brown sugar. Bring to boil, cook 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and chill 15–20 minutes.
Beat in remaining butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and powdered sugar until fluffy.
Frost cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle with chai sugar and garnish with cinnamon sticks if desired.
Notes
Always use pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling.
Chilling the frosting base ensures perfect texture.
The chai sugar adds crunch and spice—don’t skip it!
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container.
Unfrosted cupcakes freeze well for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American