Vanilla Chai Cupcakes

(Taken from www.passthesushi.com )

Makes about 12 cupcakes.

If you're a coffee drinker, you'll love these tasty little cupcakes. A hint of sweet vanilla with spicy chai makes for the perfect fall dessert.

INGREDIENTS

For the cupcakes...

1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
chai spice mix**
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

**How to make chai spice mix...

• 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

For the vanilla chai buttercream frosting...

2 sticks butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
remainder of the chai spice mix
1-2 tablespoons cold milk, if needed

TO MAKE CUPCAKES

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Stir spices together in a small bowl (for the chai spice mix). Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla and beat in one egg at a time. Stir in HALF the quantity of chai spice mix. Fold in the flour and buttermilk alternately and stir until combined, don’t over mix. Mix together the baking soda and vinegar and mix into the batter. Spoon into prepared cupcake cases until 3/4 full and bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

TO MAKE FROSTING

In a stand mixer, beat the butter until it is creamy. On low, mix in the vanilla and the rest of the chai spice mix. Carefully beat in the powdered sugar about ½ cup at a time. If the buttercream is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of cold milk until the desired consistency is reached. Then pipe onto cooled cupcakes with your favorite frosting tip (or just frost with a knife).

Enjoy! :)