09/14/2025
Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups canned pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup strongly brewed chai tea, cooled to room temperature
For the Cinnamon Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a standard muffin tin with 16 paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. Set this dry mixture aside.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Add the pumpkin puree and mix on low speed until just combined. The mixture may look slightly curdled; this is normal.
6. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until almost combined. Pour in the cooled chai tea and continue mixing on low until the batter is smooth and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
8. Bake for 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. The cupcakes will be springy to the touch.
9. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
10. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until completely smooth, about 2 minutes.
11. Add the sifted confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition until combined. Once all sugar is added, increase speed to high and beat for 2 minutes.
12. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Beat on high speed for an additional 2-3 minutes until the frosting is very light, fluffy, and spreadable.
13. Frost the completely cooled cupcakes using a piping bag or a spatula. For an extra touch, garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick.