Chai Tea Mini Cupcakes

taken from Martha Steart's Cupcakes

¾ cup milk

2 bags black tea (ex: Ceylon) I bought the wrong kind of tea (see picture below) so I used a Chai Tea bag.

1 cup all-purpose flour (plain flour)

1 cup cake flour (not self-raising), sifted

1 ½ cup tsp baking powder

½ tsp coarse salt

¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cardamom

pinch of ground cloves

pinch of ground nutmeg (fresh is best)

4 tbsp (1 stick) of unsalted butter, room temp

¾ cup packed dark-brown sugar

2 large eggs, room temp

1. Pre-heat oven to 350*F.
2. Bring milk to simmer over medium heat, remove from heat; add tea bags and let seep, covered, 15 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing bags over the pan, and discard. Allow milk to cool completely.
3. Whisk together both flours, baking powder, salt, pepper, and spices.
4. Cream butter and dark-brown sugar until pale and fluffy.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Scrape sides as needed.
6. On a low speed add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of tea-infused milk, beat until just combined after each.
7. Divide batter among your cases and bake for 10-12 minutes. Rotating half way through.  



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Suggested Frosting:

4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temp.

½ cup plus 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (7oz)

pinch of coarse salt

¾ cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted

With a mixer on med-high whisk together butter condensed milk and salt until smooth. Whisk in sugar ¼ cup at a time, until combined, then whisk on high until thick and smooth. Use Immediately!!

I chose to use a milk glaze instead. It's 1 1/2 cups confectionor's sugar (icing sugar) and 3 tablespoons of milk. Really this desicion was made for me as I couldn't find condensed milk. I was looking for a certain brand/type of container and I just didn't see it. After going online it turns out that there is no brand name of condensed milk (in the UK please correct me if the internet has lied) but a lot of the local super markets have their own brand of condensed milk. Who knew? But the glaze works well too!

These are very fragrant! Very yummy too, but I see why there are mini ones and not regular size one bite is all you need. These would be perfect for after dinner with a cup of tea or coffee. I made 48 of these and most of them are off to my sister-in-laws dinner rehearsal tonight! I hope they like them!!