ByKristine Updated:
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Whole Wheat Chai Cupcakes

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Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I think up new recipes. In fact, this recipe for whole wheat chai cupcakes is one of those recipes!

These spicy whole wheat chai cupcakes are at the top of my list to make. They look incredible! It’s spring break and for some reason, I haven’t been sleeping all that great. I’ve been getting up at 4:00 a.m. everyday (unintentionally…yawn). But this a good thing for this blog because I’m thinking up all of these great recipe ideas while I’m lying awake at night annnnd I have a little extra time in the morning to bake up said recipes!

Let’s take with these whole wheat chai cupcakes for example. They came to me the other night when I was thinking about how I used to think chai spice was gross (before I even knew what it was really, but I knew it contained pepper and I just thought the word itself sounded icky, haha) and how now it’s one of my favorite spice blends, like ever!

These spicy whole wheat chai cupcakes are at the top of my list to make. They look incredible! In addition to tea and lattes, I’ve found that I love, love, love chai spice in baked goods. Cookies, cakes, and yes, cupcakes! It’s a great alternative to my other favorite spice blend, pumpkin pie spice and is absolutely perfect all year round.

Just for fun, I got creative and worked some chai spice into the recipe for the these whole wheat cupcakes and the result was a total winner! These whole wheat chai cupcakes are soft and spongy with a hint of spice from the chai. The whipped buttercream frosting is lightly dusted with cinnamon to bring it all home.

Really, if you like chai, these whole wheat chai cupcakes are going to be a new favorite! Try them today!

Whole Wheat Chai Cupcakes

Sweet, soft, and spicy whole wheat chai muffins. These muffins are perfect for fall baking.
4 from 1 vote
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Course: Sweets & Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 24 muffins
Calories: 117kcal
Author: Kristine

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1-1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
  • 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2/3 cup milk
Frosting:
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 3-1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 TBS milk
  • Cinnamon to sprinkle on top

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar.
  • Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
  • Stir in all spices and sea salt.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
  • Alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk to the wet ingredients, mixing until just blended.
  • Carefully spoon batter into lined muffin cups, filling them only 2/3 full.
  • Bake for 22 minutes, rotating halfway through.

For the frosting:
  • Using a hand mixer, beat butter until fluffy.
  • Slowly add the powdered sugar and blend until smooth.
  • Add vanilla and milk and blend until light and fluffy.
  • Pipe frosting onto cupcakes and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 muffin | Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Did you make this recipe? We want to see!Mention @kristineinbetween or tag #kristineinbetween!

Cupcake lovers, you need to try these strawberry cupcakes too!


Kristine Underwood standing in her kitchen with her dog.

About Kristine

Kristine is a self-taught cookie baker and photographer. She's passionate about finding time for everything and making baking, crafting and homemaking simple. More...

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18 Comments

  1. These look AMAZING! Two of my favorite things combined- cupcakes and chai!

    Reply

  2. First, these cupcakes are beautiful! I’ve never made chai cupcakes before, but the combination sounds amazing! Well done.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Lisa! I like chai + I like cupcakes = new chai cupcake recipe! Luckily it was a WINNER! 🙂

      Reply

  3. These look delicious! They’re very elegant looking too…more of a “grown up” cupcake! I’ve yet to jump on the chai bandwagon, but I feel like this recipe might do the trick!!!

    Reply

    1. Oh Lisa, you’re so kind – thank you! Haha, the chai bandwagon, I love it! Well if you’re going to join in, this is probably a good recipe to start with, just sayin’.

      Reply

  4. A hint of chai in a soft spongy cupcake – that is right up my alley! Gotta try this! I love chai tea lattes. I can only imagine what these cupcakes taste like! Sharing!

    Reply

  5. Oooooh I just LOVE chai flavored treat…I also love cupcakes! These are pretty much perfect and I cannot wait to try out the recipe! And devour one or two immediately! 🙂

    Reply