Chai Latte Cupcakes- From Julie at White Lights on Wednesday

Hi everyone!I'm Julie from White Lights on Wednesday.  

I can't tell you how excited I am to be guest posting for Zoetoday!!

I met Zoe through Trading Blogs, a blog swap put on by Melissa at Serendipity and Spice.

First thingsfirst, how much does Zoe look like Gwyneth Paltrow?

{Gwyneth photo source}

They totally look alike.

Ok.  I'm better now.  After seriously stalking Zoe's blog andtrying to figure out what I wanted to share with her and all of her lovelyreaders I realized I should stick to what I'm good at.  Food. I cook and bake A LOT.  When I sawZoe's list of likes and dislikes {you should always know these things aboutyour friends} it hit me, Chai Cupcakes! Yes. Zoe likes Chai Latte Frappuccinos, exclamation po ints, andscrabble.  I like Caramel Macchiatos,exclamation points, and scrabble.  She'dbe a great coffee and Scrabble date friend to have.  BTW, my Wordfeud and Words with Friends ID is julerybox,hit me up.

And sinceI'm baking for Zoe, I figured some old school country music was in order.  I love to listen to music while I cook andbake and since Zoe lives in the country I figured why not!

Chai Cupcake Baking Music

Johnny Cash – I’m Gonna Sit on my Porch and Pick on my Ol’ Guitar
Marty Robbins – El Paso
Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire
June Carter – Times a Wastin’
Loretta Lynn – You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take my Man
Hank Williams – Move It On Over

Chai Latte Cupcakes with Vanilla Chai Buttercream

Cupcakesfrom A Spicy Perspective    ][    Buttercream fromThe Novice Chef

Makes 12cupcakes

Ingredients:

Chai Latte Cupcakes

½ cupunsalted butter

½ cup sugar

2/3 cupinstant chai powder**

¼ tsp groundcardamom, optional  {you could also substitute ground ginger}
2 eggs

½ cupmilk  {it's a latte people}

1 teaspoonvanilla

¾ cup + 2tablespoons all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoonbaking powder

¼ teaspoonsalt

Vanilla Chai Buttercream

1 cup (2sticks) butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cupspowdered sugar, sifted   {don't skip the sifting!}

Chai SpiceMix (see below)

1 to 2tablespoons cold milk, if needed

Groundcinnamon for dusting

Halfcinnamon sticks for garnish, if desired

Directions:

Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, salt, andbaking powder.  Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugar with a mixer.  Add the chai powder and extra cardamom isdesired.
4. Mix in the eggs, milk, and vanilla.
5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in 3additions.  Mix until just moistenedafter each addition; scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Fill prepared liner 2/3 full and bake for 15 to20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 2 minutes,then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Buttercream

1. Using a mixer, beat together butter until it iscreamy, about 2 minutes.  On low, mix inthe vanilla and chai spice mix. Carefully beat in the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time. 

   If the buttercream is too thick, add 1tablespoon of cold milk at a time until the desired consistency isreached.  If the buttercream is too thin,add some more powdered sugar.   {I didn’t need to add milk or extra sugar, the frosting came out just right the first go round.}

Pipebuttercream onto cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with a little groundcinnamon.  Garnish with half a cinnamonstick, if desired.

Yum!  These frosting gives these cupcakes some extra spice.

Chai Spice Mix

Ingredients:

¾ teaspoonground cardamom (or substitute ground ginger if you're cheap like me)

¾ teaspoonground cinnamon

¼ teaspoonground ginger

1/8 teaspoonground cloves

1/8 teaspoonground nutmeg

Mix ingredients together until wellcombined.

**If you have any instant chai mix at home.  I found this recipe from Southern Plate so you can make your own.

I hope thesecupcakes make you feel all cozy and snuggly and special, because you arespecial.  Zoe, it's been an absolutepleasure getting to know you.  I'm so gladwe met and are now bloggy friends.  I'dlove to trade blogs or have your guest post over at White Lights on Wednesdayany time you'd like Zoe. 

Thanks so much for having me today!  Byeeverybody!  Muah!

Scout’s Stitches