Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp ground cardamom; ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg; ½ tsp all-spice; ½ tsp ground cloves; ⅛ tsp ground black pepper; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup melted coconut oil (melted butter or canola can be used); ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar; 1 tbsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 ½ cup pumpkin puree; 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1 ¼ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ¾ tsp kosher salt; 8 tbsp salted butter, at room temperature; ¼ cup heavy cream; ½ cup packed dark brown sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ tsp cinnamon; 1 ½ cup powdered sugar

Jump to Recipe·5.1 from 25 reviews

If you are searching for the ultimate treat to capture the spirit of autumn, look no further than these Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting. Each bite bursts with the rich flavor of pumpkin, a gentle heat from homemade chai spice, and a velvety cloud of brown sugar frosting that’s impossible to resist. This Delicious Recipe is a cozy embrace, combining fall’s favorite flavors in a moist, aromatic cupcake that will make any gathering extra special or a regular day feel like a personal celebration.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Delicious Recipe lies in its delightful blend of pantry staples and those carefully chosen spices that make each bite memorable. Every ingredient brings something unique, whether it’s warmth, sweetness, or that perfect, fluffy crumb.

Ground cinnamon: The aromatic backbone of chai, bringing warmth and a comforting flavor.
Ground ginger: Adds a subtle zing, giving depth and a little kick to the spice mix.
Ground cardamom: Offers a sweet floral note that’s absolutely essential for true chai authenticity.
Freshly grated nutmeg: Brings a hint of woodsy sweetness that beautifully complements pumpkin.
All-spice: Adds earthiness and complexity, tying the other spices together.
Ground cloves: Provides intensity and warmth, so a little goes a long way.
Ground black pepper: Just a touch enhances the other spices and gives that classic chai finish.
Granulated sugar: Used to create the irresistible spiced sugar topping for extra flavor and crunch.
Melted coconut oil: Gives amazing moisture, but you can swap in butter or canola for a different twist.
Packed dark brown sugar: Lends sweetness and caramel undertones, boosting both the batter and the frosting.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and brings that lovely signature scent.
Large eggs (at room temperature): Help everything bind and give lift, resulting in cupcakes that are perfectly fluffy.
Pumpkin puree: The star ingredient, bringing moisture and an unmistakable autumn essence.
All-purpose flour: Provides the structure while letting all the other flavors shine.
Baking powder and baking soda: Ensure your cupcakes rise beautifully, every time.
Kosher salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness.
Salted butter (at room temperature): Essential for a rich, silky-smooth frosting.
Heavy cream: Adds luxurious lightness to the brown sugar frosting.
Powdered sugar: Creates that perfectly smooth, sweet finish in each swirl of frosting.
Cinnamon (for frosting): A cozy finishing touch that melds everything together.

How to Make Delicious Recipe

Step 1: Make the Chai Spice

Start by creating your own fragrant chai spice blend. Mix together the cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, all-spice, cloves, and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Divide this mixture in half. Combine one portion with granulated sugar to use later as a topping for your cupcakes, infusing every bite with authentic spiced sweetness. Reserve the rest for enriching the cupcake batter itself.

Step 2: Prep Your Cupcake Tray

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line 16 cupcake molds with paper liners. This little step not only keeps things tidy but also ensures your cupcakes come out with those perfect, bakery-style edges.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In the bowl of a stand mixer—or with a hand mixer if you prefer—whisk together the melted coconut oil, packed dark brown sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and pumpkin puree. Beat them until the mixture is smooth and looks impossibly creamy. This is where the foundation of your cupcakes’ flavor and texture is built!

Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients and Chai Spice

Next, sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and your reserved chai spice blend. Mix gently until everything is just combined and no lumps remain. Try not to overmix here so your cupcakes turn out as soft and tender as possible.

Step 5: Fill and Bake

Divide the batter evenly among your prepared cupcake liners. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for about 18 to 22 minutes, until the tops are set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Your kitchen will smell like the coziest coffee shop you can imagine. Once done, remove the cupcakes and let them cool completely before you move on to frosting.

Step 6: Make Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt together 2 tablespoons of the salted butter, heavy cream, and dark brown sugar. Let that boil for about a minute, just until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes syrupy. Pour it into your mixer bowl and place it in the freezer (or fridge for a longer chilled time) for 15 to 20 minutes—just until it’s cool to the touch.

Step 7: Beat the Frosting to Fluffy Perfection

Once your butter mixture is cool, add the remaining 6 tablespoons of salted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. Beat everything together until a fluffy, creamy frosting forms. Try not to eat half of it before it gets to the cupcakes! Frost each cooled cupcake and sprinkle with the chai sugar you prepared in step one. For a flourish, tuck in a cinnamon stick or dust a little extra chai spice over top.

How to Serve Delicious Recipe

Garnishes

Dress up your Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes with a final sprinkle of the homemade chai sugar. Add a small cinnamon stick or a light swirl of extra cinnamon on top for a cozy and irresistible finish. Even a tiny pumpkin candy or an espresso bean can transform your cupcakes from everyday treats into bakery-level showstoppers.

Side Dishes

Pair these cupcakes with a hot chai tea latte, fresh apple cider, or a strong cup of coffee for a truly comforting experience. If you want a fun brunch spread, try them alongside a fruit platter with autumn fruits like pears, apples, or figs to balance the warmth of the cupcakes with something juicy and bright.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your gathering into a fall celebration by arranging your cupcakes on a rustic wooden board with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and colorful leaves for decoration. If you’re serving them after dinner, try placing each cupcake in a teacup for an adorable coffeehouse effect. Mini cupcake sizes also make fantastic party favors for guests to take a bit of the Delicious Recipe home!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow manage to have leftovers, store your cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The frosting keeps the cakes moist, and the flavors deepen and become richer after a day or so.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap unfrosted cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap and seal in a freezer bag for up to two months. Let them thaw at room temperature before adding the frosting. For frosted cupcakes, flash freeze on a tray before wrapping to help maintain that beautiful swirl.

Reheating

If you want to bring that fresh-baked feel back, pop the unfrosted cupcakes in a 300 degree F oven for 5 minutes. For frosted cupcakes, let them come to room temperature naturally so the frosting stays silky-smooth. The flavors of this Delicious Recipe truly shine when they’re warm and just a little bit gooey.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pumpkin pie spice instead of making the chai spice?

While pumpkin pie spice will work in a pinch, the homemade chai spice blend in this Delicious Recipe is what really gives these cupcakes their signature taste. The unique combination of spices goes beyond the ordinary and creates that warm cafe vibe!

Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute a good quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Everything else in the Delicious Recipe stays the same, and you’ll still get wonderfully moist, flavorful cupcakes.

What’s the best way to ensure the cupcakes have a fluffy texture?

Be sure not to overmix your batter once the flour goes in. Mix just until the dry ingredients disappear. Also, bring your eggs to room temperature and don’t skip the baking powder and soda—they guarantee that tender crumb every Delicious Recipe deserves.

Is it possible to make the frosting less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet frosting, you can reduce the powdered sugar by a quarter cup or add a pinch more salt. Taste as you go—one of the perks of homemade frosting in this Delicious Recipe!

Can I make mini cupcakes with this recipe?

Definitely! Just divide the batter into mini cupcake pans and bake for about 12-15 minutes. They’re adorable and perfect for gatherings where everyone wants just a taste of this Delicious Recipe.

Final Thoughts

If you love seasonal baking, you absolutely have to make this Delicious Recipe at least once—it’s pure fall joy in cupcake form! Every bite is a celebration of warmth, spice, and sweetness. Don’t be surprised if these Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes become your new signature dessert. Enjoy, share, and savor the cozy autumn magic!