Chai Spice Tea Cakes

Who says you can’t drink your chai and eat it too? There’s no better way to decompress from holiday–or everyday– stress than a cozy tea break. With this one-bowl tea cake recipe, you can bask and breathe in warm , chai spice fragrance and flavors times two–or even three. There’s no reason not to go all in when it comes to the warm coziness of chai spice.

Speaking of coziness, I have to digress and share some warm sweetness separate from these delightful tea cakes, but aligned insofar as both are brimming with the sense of hygge and hugs. At ten, Felix has become pretty well accustomed already to earning rewards for his chess performances. Now beyond trophies, it’s still exciting but not unusual to come away with prize money, even $100 or more once or twice, which of course feels like millions to a kid. He typically saves the bulk of it, and sometimes spends it on something fun, like a new Mario Nintendo game or a soccer ball.

Recently, Felix won a $25 gift card from Amazon in a chess tournament, and this time he was earnestly focused on putting in “some important research” on the computer to determine how to spend his winnings. He spent about an hour doing so while I made dinner one night, then came into the kitchen beaming because he’d picked the perfect thing…a dog toy for Bentley, just from him.

There are dog toys and there are dog toys. This one was special: an extra-large, plush tree trunk dotted with holes where squeaky little stuffed squirrels were hiding. It used up the whole gift card, all of it, and Felix spent it without hesitation. He couldn’t wait for it to arrive, pressing me to keep checking my order status. As soon as it was delivered, it was out of the box, and presented to Bentley in an expansive, glowing moment of pure joy.

It may sound trite, and we say it a lot, but so often it’s the little things that are the big things. If a ten-year old spending his prize money on a dog toy for his best friend in the world doesn’t kindle your holiday spirit a little bit brighter…well, then, maybe try pairing it with a little rejuvenating tea break with these mini cakes. In fact, do that either way.

Lightly and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, these tea cakes let the supreme spicy flavors orf ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Chai teas shine through. Nutty tahini pairs perfectly, adding nutritional richness and allowing for reduced oil. Drizzle cooled tea cakes with a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and a strong tea concentrate, or add a little extra decadence with melted white chocolate—or even dark chocolate for a “dirty chai” variation. Enjoy with a cup of one of chai, enliven your senses, and revel in simple joys. xo

Happy holidays!

Chai Tea Cakes
Makes 6 mini bundt/tea cakes or 1 bundt/round cake

5 ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Masala or Turmeric Chai Tea Bags
½ Cup boiled water
1/2  Cup plant milk of choice
½ Cup pure maple syrup
¼ Cup tahini
¼ Cup olive oil
¼ Cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ Cups all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
Pinch sea salt
1 Teaspoon ORGANIC INDIA Ceylon Cinnamon
Pinch each of ground cardamom and nutmeg
1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or 1 Teaspoon ground)

1 batch chai glaze (recipe below) or melted white chocolate for drizzle

Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a mini bundt, jumbo muffin, or similar 6-mold pan, lightly with cooking spray.

Steep the 5 ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Turmeric Chai or Tulsi Masala Chai tea bags in a saucepan with boiled water and plant milk.  Bring the mixture to a near simmer on low- medium heat for 5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, add all remaining cake ingredients through ginger. Remove tea bags from the milk mixture and add to the bowl, stirring to form a batter. If desired, break open 1-2 of the tea bags, and stir in the herb mixture to the batter.

Fill the mini cake molds half to two-thirds full to ensure they don’t spill over. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the puffiest part comes out clean. Let cool fully before drizzling with glaze or melted white chocolate.

Chai Spice Icing Glaze
1 ¼  Cup powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons strong brewed ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Masala Chai or Turmeric Chai tea
1/4 Teaspoon ORGANIC INDIA cinnamon spice psyllium, optional