Imagine the warm, spiced aroma of chai wafting through your kitchen as you initiate a journey to create this delightful Chai Bread.
Simple yet indulgent, this recipe transforms everyday ingredients into a cozy, fragrant loaf that’s irresistibly comforting.
The fusion of spices and chai-infused milk creates a harmonious blend of flavors, evolving beautifully as it bakes.
Let’s bring this aromatic and delicious bread to life together!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 loaf pan
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 whisk
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 chai tea bags
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking Chai Bread, follow this timeline:
Preparation and Cooking Timeline:
- Reading and Gathering Ingredients & Equipment (10 minutes):
- Read through the recipe to understand the steps.
- Gather all ingredients and equipment needed.
- Preparation (15 minutes):
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat the milk in a small saucepan and steep the chai tea bags for 5 minutes.
- While the tea is steeping, measure and combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Remove the tea bags and allow the milk to cool.
- Mixing (5 minutes):
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and cooled chai-infused milk.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Baking (45 minutes):
- Grease the loaf pan.
- Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
- Cooling (10 minutes):
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the bread from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Feel free to adjust any steps based on your pace and any additional tasks you may need to perform.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Heat the milk in a small saucepan and steep the chai tea bags in it for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and let the milk cool.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.
In another bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and cooled chai-infused milk.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Grease the loaf pan and pour the batter into it, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Tips
- Butter Spread: Serve warm chai bread slices with a pat of butter for a classic and simple enhancement.
- Honey Drizzle: Add a drizzle of honey over the bread to complement the spices with natural sweetness.
- Cream Cheese: Spread a layer of cream cheese for a creamy and slightly tangy contrast to the sweet and spicy flavors.
- Whipped Cream: Top with a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert-like experience.
- Nut Butter: Apply a layer of almond or peanut butter to add a nutty flavor and extra protein.
Storage
To store chai bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Keep it at room temperature for up to three days.
For longer storage, freeze for up to three months.
Freezing
To freeze chai bread, cool it completely.
Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil.
Store in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
Thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
To reheat chai bread, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
Wrap the bread in aluminum foil.
Warm for 10-15 minutes.
This preserves moisture and enhances flavor.
Final Thoughts
Chai bread is a delightful fusion of traditional Indian chai flavors within a comforting loaf.
The blend of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves infuses the bread with a warm and inviting aroma.
For those looking to elevate their baking skills, chai bread offers an opportunity to experiment with spice combinations and tea-infused ingredients.
Whether you enjoy it fresh out of the oven or toasted with a pat of butter, this bread is sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.
Remember, the key to a perfect loaf isn’t to overmix the batter, and for a more pronounced chai flavor, consider using extra tea bags during the steeping process.
Adding chopped walnuts can also provide a delightful crunch.
Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Non-Dairy Milk Instead of Whole Milk?
Yes, you can substitute non-dairy milk for whole milk. Use almond, soy, or oat milk. Make certain it’s unsweetened to maintain flavor balance. Heat it gently, steep the tea bags, and cool before mixing with other ingredients.
How Can I Make the Bread Gluten-Free?
Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make certain it’s a 1:1 substitute to maintain texture. Mix gently to prevent dense bread. Verify all other ingredients, like baking powder, are gluten-free for safe consumption.
What Can I Substitute for Cardamom?
You can substitute cardamom with an equal amount of ground nutmeg or allspice for a similar warmth. Make certain you mix it well into the other spices for a balanced flavor throughout the dish.
Can I Reduce the Sugar in the Recipe?
You can reduce the sugar by half, but keep in mind it may alter the texture and sweetness. Balance the flavors by increasing spices slightly, and guarantee you mix ingredients thoroughly to maintain consistency.
Is It Possible to Make This Recipe Vegan?
You can make it vegan by substituting whole milk with almond or soy milk, using flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and replacing the butter with coconut oil. Make sure you steep the chai tea bags in plant-based milk.
Chai Bread
Equipment
- 1 Loaf pan
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 chai tea bags
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat the milk in a small saucepan and steep the chai tea bags in it for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and let the milk cool.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.
- In another bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and cooled chai-infused milk.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Grease the loaf pan and pour the batter into it, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
