Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sweetness on Sunday: Vanilla Chai Cupcakes

So what's your favorite Starbucks drink? Mine: Chai Soy Latte Frapp :D YUM. So I wanted to make a cupcake that had all the yummy flavors of my favorite drink. I love how these turn out---right before you take a bite, you get the rich aroma of Chai spices. ♥♥♥

For the cupcake:
1 box vanilla cake mix
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate (you can get this at grocery stores and most starbucks, but I get mine at Target--link!)
3 eggs
1/4 vegetable oil
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 cup milk

Mix all ingredients together on slow just until blended with an electric mixer, then switch to medium-high speed and mix for 2 minutes. Spoon batter into lined cupcake pan and bake for 22-25 minutes at 350, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on cooling rack before frosting.

For the frosting:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
a few pinches of salt
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3-4 tbsp milk
Cinnamon to sprinkle

Mix butter, salt, and vanilla extract in a stand mixer (you can use a handheld mixer, but a stand mixer is easier!) until blended. Slowly add sugar a cup at a time on low speed until it's all blended in. Add in milk a tablespoon at a time until your frosting as at the desired consistency. Beat for 3 minutes. Frost each cupcake and sprinkle a little cinnamon on top.

Enjoy! :D