I’m so glad y’all liked the pictures! I’m pretty convinced Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on earth. On top of the photos, we also shot a short time lapse video, which I’ll post this afternoon.
But first, let’s talk birthday cake.
I’m blessed that I got to enjoy two! The first one was made by Ashley and was an absolutely diiiiiivine chocolate mint cake. I enjoyed it thoroughly after a small pizza get together with some friends last Thursday night.
The second cake I enjoyed were these cupcakes that I made to take with us to Tahoe. Last week at the yoga studio, I experienced the most divine vegan chocolate cake with chai buttercream from a gluten-free bakery in town and ever since then I’ve been craving another slice of that cake.
So Friday afternoon before we left, I did what any cakeaholic would do on the eve of her 26th year.
I took matters into my own hands.
The chocolate cake hails from a tried and true recipe I’ve been making for years. And for the buttercream, I steeped a very strong (teeny tiny) cup of chai tea to infuse my billowy frosting with. The end result was a creamy, slightly spicy, perfect buttercream that paired wonderfully with the rich chocolate cake.
Ridiculous. I’m shocked they even lasted the car ride up.
Well, I might have eaten one in the car.
And another when we got there.
Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Chai Buttercream
makes 10 cupcakes
chocolate cupcake recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World <—love
Ingredients:
for cupcakes–
1 cup soy milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
for frosting–
1 stick earth balance buttery spread (1/2 cup)
about 3-4 cups powdered sugar
2 chai teabags
2 T boiling water
2 T soy milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the vinegar with the soy milk and let sit for five minutes.
Whisk together the soy milk/vinegar, canola oil, sugar and vanilla. In another bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add wet to dry and mix until combined.
Pour batter into greased cupcake molds and bake for 25 minutes, or until springy. Let cool completely before frosting.
While cupcakes are cooling, beat the earth balance until soft. Brew the tea in the two tablespoons of boiling water and let sit for ten minutes to steep. Then, add the soy milk. Add that mixture, plus the powdered sugar and cinnamon to the earth balance and continue to beat for 10 minutes until very light and fluffy.
Frost cooled cupcakes using this method or with a pastry bag and large star tip.
Enjoy!
Time:
1 hour
{ 82 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum – chocolate & chai, just my style. Have you ever made Earl Grey cupcakes?!
I’ve had Earl Grey ice cream before and it was super scrumptious! I bet they would flavor frosting very well!
Oh my! These look deadly. Great recipe Jenna!
Yes! Now I have a perfect birthday treat for tomorrow! The big 2-8! Yahoo.
Your recipes are always really non-intimidating; thank you for that, Jenna.
I love chai — and adding it to buttercream? Genius. What a perfect birthday treat!
You didn’t make them GF then like the bakery?
They look amazing…it’s kind of cruel you post this first thing in the morning actually
It looks like there’s frosting in the middle there – THAT would be even better! I love cakes that have a middle frosting layer.
I’m trying to think who I know that has a birthday soon. I’m in a stretch of time lacking in birthdays. Think I could use the excuse-er celebration of the day that my boyfriend and I met? There are always plenty of dating anniversaries!
Oh my goodness, these look phenomenal. Have you seen the film Patch Adams where Robin Williams has all the old people at the hospital swimming in a big pool of spaghetti because it’s one of the old ladies’ dreams? Well, swimming in a pool of buttercream frosting is one of mine!
“cup of chai tea to infuse my billowy frosting with. “– Now THAT is food blogger/food writer verbiage. I love it!
And I love the sounds of the buttercream. Pretty much I could eat it by the spoon and never tire of it!
And yes, Tahoe being one of the most beautiful places on earth…it’s always when I am there, and in the Wine Country, that I think oh I could live up here. And then, I am reminded that NO I am a SoCal girl..b/c I am lightweight with the winters. But yes…it’s soooooo magnificent up there!
Chai is so underrated in desserts – love the frosting idea!
And so cute, too!
oh, those look absolutely incredible!
I loveeeeeeee!!!!!!!! Must try SOON! Thanks for sharing!
Yum! I want to make those very soon!
ooh these look delicious I cant wait to try them out I love anything chai
Is there anything better than a delicious cake topped with buttercream? I’m SO anxious to try this chai version!!!
chai buttercream…amazing! These look sooo good!
I love chai anything! I made chai cupcakes last fall with a chai buttercream and they were amazing. not made with chai tea though, just chai-like spices.
I’ve been experimenting with more vegan recipes lately… and vegan baking is next on my list! I love the chai frosting on these!
I love these!
oh those look like heaven! yum…….this weekend i had a cupcake fail but maybe i should try these
Oh my. Those took my breath away. I love the chai buttercream. I never would have thought of that!
I LOVE chocolate and Chai together
Match made in heaven!
yum these look incredible!! I bet that icing tastes so good and the cake looks so moist!
Wow that look amazing.
Yay another chai recipe
I have to try gluten free vegan baking one day, but I’m so used to my eggs and regular flour!
I’m sure these were amazing for your birthday!
These look amazing!!
THOSE look magnificent. You know, it’s hilarious because my boyfriend freaks out at the mention of the word “vegan” or “vegetarian” – even in desserts – but something like these cupcakes would totally fool him, and he’d adore every bite, I’m sure of it!
-Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter)
Chai buttercream?! Wow.
This looks *insanely* good…and I’m not even a huge chocolate cake person. But this is making me drool. Must try it…
Mmmmmmm. Chai frosting sounds amazing!
Chai buttercream sounds really marvelous Jenna. It almost makes me want to try and make buttercream
These look amazing! My fiancee loves Chai Tea so I may have to whip these up. Actually, I’m going to.
“Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World” is one of my favorite cookbooks. Have you tried the Apple Cider ones?? They changed my life (maybe a bit dramatic but they are amazing).
Jenna! Those look so good!
Chai = love
I’m currently obsessing over Celestial Seasons Indian Chai. It’s becoming quite an addiction, so I can only imagine what mixing it into icing will be! Pure bliss…or destruction
This could be the most genius combination EVER.
http://goldhearted.etsy.com
Holy.yum. This looks decadent and I’m pretty sure if I made these, they would NOT last more than 2 days.
Lovely! Have you made these before?? They look super!
I am on it, as I have wanted to try this chia frosting for awhile now.
looks really good. i picked up the china study at your recommendation last night…very interesting so far. thanks for the suggestion.
Yum! Those are beautiful little treats
I’ve been a little nervous to try chai flavored frosting/ dessert but I think these cupcakes have won me over. Thanks for posting.
Chai buttercream couldn’t sound better if it tried! Holy heaven…
OMG those look absolutely insanely delicious! I’ve been doing a lot of vegan baking recently and have definitely not had luck like this haha. Will have to follow your recipes and earn myself a reputation as the baller vegan baker
Oh my gosh, what a great birthday cake! I can’t wait to try that recipe. I turned 30 this year and my goal is to discover my favorite chocolate cake. I even had a chocolate cake party! I made these vegan ones from Joy the Baker with avocado (http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2009/07/vegan-chocolate-avocado-cake/). They were amazing! Even my dad enjoyed them…..and I don’t think he’s ever had a vegan treat.
Long story, but now I’m all about vegan cakes:)
I just finished making these! this recipe was perfect timing, as it’s my roommate’s birthday today and she lovessss chai tea. I’m not the biggest chai fan but I just tested one and WOW they are perfectly spiced. thanks for the recipe
The combination of flavors sounds oh so yummy! Congrats on two birthday cakes!
Cupcakes should be a primary food group. Our kitchen is the midst of a remodel. The thing I already miss is the oven. No baking for six weeks! What’s a girl to do!?!
These look great!!
How did you bring your SRL on the water? Do you have a waterproof case for it?
I am so nervous to bring mine water trips in fear of it wanting to take a swim!
Thanks
We stuck the camera in a waterproof bag on the kayak.
A plastic bag works well too!
I want to make these NOW! They look amazing, and in response to the first comment, I bet Earl Grey frosting would be equally amazing. Basically anything tea = LOVE.
My coworkers looked at me funny when they saw me licking my monitor. I showed them the pictures, they still looked at me strangely. Go figure…
Do you think coconut milk would be okay instead of soy?
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Chai buttercream? I die!
YUM – I wish one would magically appear in front of me hehe.
hi jenna! commenting you from Vero Beach, FL ! I will definitely be making these
the chai frosting looks awesome. I have a standby vegan chocolate cake recipe that I normally use, here is my video for it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E61OoDMg8u0
ours are pretty similar!
-Lily
sugarlilyxo.blogspot.com
Ohh love the chocolate and chai combo! It reminds me of my favorite chocolate chai smoothie from Moonstruck chocolates. It’s to die for!!
I’m in love! Anything CHAI is amazing. I’ll take 1 dozen please
I’ve never had chai, I like coffee better than tea. But the cupcakes look delicious and so does your other cake.
Did I comment on this already today? I might have. I definitely read it…and drooled over it…earlier today. Chai has never really done much for me but those fluffy peaks o’ frosting just look so yummy; I can’t imagine them not being delicious.
How funny…I made vegan chocolate cupcakes very similar to these on the weekend
My icing was vanilla though, and yours looks much more professional!
I adore vegan cupcakes. Makes me feel less guilty about shoving 3 in my face
I’m a big Isa fan too…aren’t her vegan cookbooks just great??
These sound divine! I love that the buttercream is infused with actual chai tea instead of just ground spices. I made earl grey infused cupcakes once and they were a huge hit– probably one of my all time favorite cupcakes!
hey these look SMASHING! love that u infused chai tea into it :O)
YUM. I love Chai tea but would never have thought to use it like this. Also, I think I’ve been making the same chocolate cake for years as well – why fix it if it ain’t broke, right?
Jenna,
These look great! I’ve never used earth balance buttery spread and am wanting to make these for a friend who can’t have dairy. Does this need to remain refrigerated after the buttercream is made or can it get to room temperature and be okay?
You can store them at room temperature the day you bake them (like on the counter) but I would pop them in the fridge at night!
Thanks
Thanks!
I made these cupcakes tonight and they are fantastic! Thanks for posting the recipe!
Do you mind sharing what cupcake pan you use? Your cupcake always look so moist and fluffy, which I’m sure is mainly due to your culinary skills
but I’d also love to know what pan you use or any recs you have for perfect cupcakes. Thanks!
I just a silicon cupcake pan but my trick is that I usually fill up the molds all the way instead of just 3/4th of the way full. I love big overflowing cupcakes!
Chai buttercream–why does that sound like everything I’ve ever wanted in life? Oh, because it is.
Oh wow, these look amazing! I’m going to have to have a play around to make them gluten-free also
Loving your blog all the way from Australia!
Un problemo. I live in Mexico and there is no such thing as Earth’s Balance here. Oh how I miss it!! Any other butter substitutions you can recommend?
I baked these cupcakes today. First time baking vegan. So good!!! I did make a couple adjustments to the frosting though. My chai wasn’t strong enough so I added some extra cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to a non-vegan cupcake!
@Shana I couldn’t find the Earth Balance either so I had to make the frosting non-vegan and used unsalted butter.
Oh, my my! Made these on Friday and they’re hands down the best chocolate cupcakes I’ve ever made. The chai buttercream was just perfect too. Nom nom.
I made these last night for my dad’s 60th birthday. He is a HUGE chocolate fan (and certainly not vegan), but he loved them and went back for seconds! he even had one this morning
They are for sure the best baked good I have ever made. I plan on blogging about them soon!! I added extra cinnamon, allspice, cloves, vanilla, and one more teabag to the frosting for extra spice. Thanks for this amazing vegan recipe!
These were AMAZING! Very moist and not overly sweet. I used Stash Decaf Hazelnut Chocolate tea instead of the Chai and the frosting was so good. Almost too good
planning on making these for christmas eve!! thnk they’ll go over well with a non-vegan crowd?
Amazing chai tea icing recipe! I subbed half the oil with applesauce and replace a part of the sugar with splenda and it came out beautifully!
Just found your blog & stumbled across your yummy looking cupcake!
Done a bit of vegan baking & one of the recipes called for Chai concentrate, do I still have on hand, would you know how much I should use in your recipe to replace the tea bags? Want to make these for a work meeting this week!
Puppy Hugs,
Wendy
You could use 2 tablespoons chai concentrate in exchange for the water/teabags.
OMG, this cupcake is delscioso!!! For my first time eating & baking a Vegan cupcake-I’m in heaven!!! I work from home, but am going into the office tomorrow with these super yummies. I’m not going to tell them they are vegan & they won’t be suspcious either, because no one knows that I went vegan 2 mos ago. I’ll just be smiling inside while they enjoy!
TFS this wonderful recipe..ohhh & I used the 2 T. Chai concentrate like you had suggested when I emailed you!
YUM – this is THE best vegan cupcake (and quite possibly cupcake period) recipe I have ever come across. I literally come up with any excuse imaginable to make these. Everyone – vegan or not – falls in love with them as soon as they take a bite. Thank you so much for sharing this, you’ve made me a very popular at family/friend get togethers to make dessert.
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