
It won't be a surprise to say that there is always cake at the ready in the house. Whether it be for B. as a late night snack after a music job, friends dropping by on a late saturday afternoon, or simply as a quick snack as we pass by the kitchen. It's usually a variation of my grandma's yogurt cake. Always good. Always comforting. One cake I never make enough is coffee cake. You know, the kind with the lovely strudel top that is both crunchy and soft as you bite into it. But then Nicole's Chai Spiced Coffee Cake entered my life. Twice in one week. Three times a day, once.
I did not make it twice just for us and just because. You see, a couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a high school senior here in town, Haley, whose senior project was to recreate the Julie-Julia project but with David Lebovitz' Room For Dessert book. Haley asked if I would have a bit of time to give her some tips about running her blog chronicling the project, photography, writing, etc... I said yes. I remember when I started blogging that I was often looking up to my seniors for pointers (I still do at times) so I thought it was a great opportunity to give back to the blogging community. I am no expert but I have been at this blogging thing for a while now, eheheh.
And I love when life on the screen brings about wonderful little happenings like this!

Anyway, I thought we'd have some cake and tea and get right into the nitty nifty gritty of blogging and pictures. Well, schedules got out of hands and I never got to make that Chai Coffee Cake for Haley. We did meet this week and spent a great afternoon. I hope I answered her questions, at least until next time we meet. I gave her tips on how to operate her point and shoot camera to the best of its capacity, tips on light, focus, etc...and let her play with my props. Hopefully, there will be cake next time we do this!
I love this cake on so many levels but first and foremost because it is one of the recipes that Nicole included in her newly released first cookbook, "The Baking Bites Cookbook". Nicole's Blog, Baking Bites is one of the handful of blogs I started reading prior to starting my own. We were "blog friends from afar" until we finally met at BlogHer Food in San Francisco. Nicole is as delightful and true as she is on her blog. I am so proud that she achieved one of her lifelong dreams by writing this book.

I bluntly asked her if I could feature one of her recipes and introduce some of you to her blog if you did not read it already and to her "baby", The Baking Bites Cookbook. She agreed. I bluntly added "hey! Would you be ok to give a copy to one reader?" and she said yes. So here you go: there is one free copy of this delicious book up for grabs. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. The giveaway runs until Monday November 2nd, midnight US Eastern time and a reader will be chosen at random to receive a copy.
Given how good the Chai Coffee Cake was, I can't wait to bake more from Nicole's book!

Chai-Spiced Crumb Coffee Cake, from The Baking Bites Cookbook with permission of Nicole Weston:
Cinnamon is the standard spice for topping a crumb coffee cake. This coffee cake keeps the crumb topping and spices it up a little more by using some of the same flavors that are found in chai, including cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and allspice. These spices really help to make the coffee cake memorable - and they also make you want to come back for a second slice.
Note: the only change I made to the recipe was to fill my baking pan with half the batter, sprinkle some of the topping and add the remaining batter and topping.
Topping:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
Cake:
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup sour cream, full or low fat
Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or lightly greased aluminum foil.
Make the Topping:
In a medium bowl, combine all topping ingredients except butter. Whisk to blend.
Gradually stir in the melted butter, using a large fork or spatula to mix. When all the butter has been incorporated and the mixture looks like wet sand, squeeze small clumps together to make large crumbs ranging in size from that of a pea to that of a grape. Set aside.
Make the Cake:
In another medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light. Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. With the mixer set on a low speed (or by hand), alternately add in flour and sour cream in two or three additions. When no streaks of flour remain, pour into prepared pan. Top evenly with crumb mixture.
Bake at 350F for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Serves 9-12
465 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 465 Newer› Newest»I'm a huge fan of chai flavoured cakes, and a coffee cake makes this even better.
I'll definitely be giving this a try after exams.
Mmm chai and crumb cake! Must try this!
Hey, Helene!! Nice job on the photography & styling here again!! I wish I can be your intern hahahaha!! Keep it up! =)
Greetings from Malaysia
I LOVE a good coffee cake. The more crumbs on top the better!
Autumn always seems to inspire a frenzied bout of baking. I'll try this out this weekend.
Mm that looks good.
this is my first comment ever! i've been following your blog for a long time and i just have to say i look forward to reading it every week!
anyways thanks for all the beautiful recipes and photos...the new site is great...and it's so kind of you to help other bloggers (like Haley!)
all the best
I love chai lattes. Never tried chai-flavoured cakes though. Will be giving this a try soon. Thanks!
Rien que les photos me mettent en appétit! J'aimerais découvrir ce livre et participer au jeu... Bon week-end.
i dun like chai, but the cake sure looks nice =)
This is a very tempting recipe that I would so like to try. And I'm kinda sort of thinking of starting my own 'Julie&Julia' sort of project but I think I'm too scared.I really don't know what to do, but i know I'd love to try...hmmmm.
Anyway, your cake looks yummy (as always) and I think I may give it a go given my boyfriend's looove for coffee AND cake :D
Coffee cake with steusel?! The best. Great giveaway.
YOu recipe is the best.. would try this soon...
This looks beyond delicious. I'd love a chance to win the Baking Bites Cookbook!
I admit I have lost track of how many times i have tried (and loved) her recipes from her blog... i keep recommending it to people left right and centre these days lol
I admit from your blog I keep trying the macarons and keep failing but hey, I am bound to manage them sooner or later, right? :)
Uli
This cake looks so nice! I cant wait to try it
I absolutely love your blog and have found many great recipecs here.
Please put my name in the hat for the giveaway :D
oh yummy, this looks and sounds just so delicious! Definitely like to try this out!!
I absolutely love and have found many great recipes here.
Please put my name in the hat for the giveaway :D
Yum! I love chai! I will try this soon. Looks so delicious.
I've never had a chai cake but they look great.
Nice giveaway too,
Susie
This is top of the list for the next baking adventure. Loving your blog and Baking Bites too. Thank you.
I would like to receive this beautiful book, it seems gorgeous and full of delicious recipes!!!
In any case, congratulations Nicole, I hope you'll have a lot of success!!!
That cake looks so delicious, I'm gonna try this someday soon! And I really would love to win that book, it looks great!
wow those pictures are amazing and making my mouth water! i'm have photography/cake making skills envy!
the cake looks DELICIOUS. and kudos to the photography, as awesome as ever. :)
and please let me win that book!! :)
Love coffee cake and this one look scrumptious. Splitting the batter is a great idea... you can get a little surprise in the middle of the cake :)
OOOOH! I love Chai!! I'm really excited to try this! Thanks :)
I would love a copy of her cookbook.
This cake sounds really good
I'm gonna bake this one. absolutely.
Sounds very yummy, will try it soon!
this sure sounds and looks really good! can't wait to try making it!
dear tartlette,
your generosity of spirit is amazing & it is obvious you are a "true" friend.
i am inspired by your photography as well as your written words.
thank you for including me in this giveaway! what fun.
I adore chai so am really looking forward to trying this. And thank you so much for introducing me to Nicole, her blog, and her new book. Would love to enter the giveaway. K x
Have made many coffee cakes but never a Chai flavoured one. Can't wait...and neither can my husband!
I love everything with those flavors. And, as to mentoring, in my real job I have 2-4 interns every semester. I love doing it. I think it is great that you had a shadow and helped her.
Wow. Looks awesome
I love chai tea but not chai latte. I even make my own chai tea panna cotta. And this one certainly looks too good to be missed out!
Nicole is good, I know that. She gave me the most amazing cheesecake crust ever. Not your usual graham biscuits base but a shortbread base!
I'm indeed very impressed!
I would lvoe to win this book! This recipe here just looks incredible.
Wow, that sounds great. perfect for along side a cup of coffee (or hot chocolate!)
I've never had chai, but this cake looks like something I'd like to bite into.
I love chai so this cake would be great. Thanks for sharing the recipe! Fingers crossed!
Looks delicious! Thanks for the chance to win.
I'm just experimenting with chai spices and this cake looks delicious. I have to try it :) I also posted a chai spiced cake on my blog have a look if you want . http://maltesebakes.blogspot.com/
This looks delicious, will definetely give it a try
Can I assume you're using an SLR for those gorgeous shots? The little milk jar in the first photo is adorable. And of course I must make this recipe!
Cheers,
*Heather*
¡¡ENhorabuena por tus exquisiteces ..¡¡
son maravillosas tus platos y tus presentaciones ..besos y te sigo
i love chai and i love coffee cake, so this looks like a winning combination!
This looks amazing! Definitely going to have to try this for the upcoming holiday season.
I love Nicole's site too and would love to have her cookbook!
I adore this blog! Your descriptions and pictures inspire me to bake beyond chocolate chip cookies!
So many bloggers are having their dreams come true these days. How wonderful!
I have been on a serious Chai addiction for the last month. You really make want to try this one! Love your pictures and styling Helen.
That cake looks delicious. so delicious, in fact, that I think I'll make it tomorrow. (coffee cake is a sunday cake for me). :)
great blog. i really enjoy it.
Jodi
Oh, man, this looks so good. I love all those chai spices!
You know, Monday's my birthday...
Cardamom & ginger? This will make my family happy!
My husband favorite dessert is coffee cake...I will definitely be making this one for him!
CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail
It's like you read my mind! I've been dreaming of Chai flavours for the past two days, and this is really going to hit the spot. I'm definetly going to make this today!
Looks Yummy!
What makes it Chai?
I don't see Chai listed...(but I have never baked with it either).
:) Thanks...
I can't wait to try it. Chai was my one caffeine luxury during both of my pregnancies because the flavour just picked me up. And it sounds perfect for fall. Thanks to Nicole for sharing.
BTW... your photos are always amazing!
Cara R
Ah, so that's what you were brewing up ;) I love coffeecakes - we always have one for breakfast at Christmas, and it's quite the production. So now, coffeecake reminds me of Christmas, which is definitely not a bad thing!
I was looking for a cake to bake this weekend that the weather is finally a bit colder here in Nicosia (Cyprus) and I have found it!
I love your blog!
Chai is my absolute favorite flavor for tea, cuppys, cakes. This is on my to bake list.
Looks delicious.
oh, that really sounds and looks delicious! I'll probably try baking this soon.
I haven't had a good coffee cake in some time. This looks fantastically delicious. I'm adding the ingredients I don't have to my shopping list.
Looks like I have a lot of baking to do this weekend...
Mmm! I really love coffee cake and this twist sounds scrumptious. Thanks for sharing!
I've wanted to try so many of the coffee cakes Nicole has on her blog, and now there's one more!
Oh dear. I LOVE Chai lattes so I see this in my future. And if other recipes are like this in in Nicole's book, looks like one to add to my list!
Ooooh - this looks so tasty! I am a huge fan of Chai tea, so I will be trying this recipe for sure. Can't go wrong! Thanks for sharing it.
I love coffee cake, and this one looks absolutely delicious. Ginger, cinnamon, and allspice? Count me in.
Lovely pictures, as always.
What a great Idea! Chai Coffee cake! I'm SO tring this! I love Chai and I love Coffee cake!! I'll have to make some chai tea with the same spaces too... mmmm....
I wanted the book before, now i *really* want it! <3
Lovely cake! I love the flavor combination.
I need to get to Nicole's blog more often, it is really fun.
Yum! This looks delicious. I love my chai-tea lattes, but I have never tried chai flavored baked goods! I love this blog- your pictures are always beautiful.
I am charge of Thanksgiving morning breakfast for my boyfriend's family and this is so going to be it!
And that cookbook sounds fantastic!
Yum, coffee cake!
Chai and coffee cake! Two of my favourite things... this could be (yet another) dangerous recipe! :)
Mmmm I love coffee cake! And I love Baking Bites! I think it's so cool of you to help Haley out. I look forward to reading her blog now as well.
Looks delicious! One can never have too many recipe books to draw inspiration from :)
Baking Bites rocks! Thank you for sharing this coffee cake recipe...
LeeYong from Jersey
Yum, yum! Thanks for the giveaway!!
squirrelbread: nope, only the last pictures was done with film and my husband played with the chemicals during processing so this is why it looks the way it does.
southernpeach: chai means tea in Indian. What makes it different is the combination of all the spices as opposed to "regular" tea.
I can never resist a good coffee cake either. This one looks like a great one to start the day with! Thanks for letting us know about Nicole's book. I'll have to check it out!
The chai coffee cake sounds aromatic and wonderful-a nice change for my family who sometimes wearies of my fall fondness for all things pumpkin.
Oh, yum! Congratulations, Nicole!
Ahhh, a chai coffe cake sounds scrumptious and perfect for Fall! :)
That looks and sounds ridiculously delicious.
Oh wow, this looks delicious!
That sounds so incredibly yummy!! Thanks for the recipe!!
What a wonderful recipe. I will have to check out that book.
how many degrees Celsius does 350 F make?
Anonymous: here is a good formula to calculate from F to C:
Anonymous: here is a good formula to calculate from F to C:
I am so making this cake. I love Chai!
I love Chai and I love coffee cake - what more could a girl want?? I'm looking forward to trying this recipe!! :)
This is definitely going to be bookmarked. Chai AND coffee cake? Yes please!
Perfect timing! I was just looking for something to take to a Sunday brunch.
Mmmmmm that cake looks amazingly delicious, I would love to win the cookbook!
I just had Chai Tea and always have it when I feel that I am about to start having a cold... I found that it helps my immune system! So, Chai coffee cake might be another cure for me! Merci!
yum yum yum, this looks delicious! and i would love to have the book!have to spend a lot of time at home after an operation and need all teh distraction i can get:)
i can't wait to try making this. two of my favorite things combined, it really can't get much tastier!
*gasp* I NEED!
Digging the chai. Actually sipping some now.
A chai coffee cake? Yes please! This looks delicious =D.
THis is great! I'm going to a brunch next weekend and sure to make this recipe. Thanks!
That coffee cake looks like the perfect relaxed Sunday afternoon treat! Beautiful!
I miss the Chai tea I got when I was in India. Can't really find a domestic equivalent. :( So anything that promises those flavors is welcome. And imagine my delight when looking through by backlog of blogs and I come across not only this recipe but also the Chai Butter Cookies from Ezra Pound Cake. Sweetness!
Oh, and I think it's wonderful of you to mentor a novice blogger.
That's a handsome lookin' cake, you have there...
I was recently introduced to your blog, and I love it, even more so because I recently moved to Charleston! This cake will definitely be an addition to my recipe book-thanks!
Oh my, the cake looks positively droolable. I'm a big fan of Baking Bites as well--have followed it since it's inceptions actually. Sooo...I'd be over the moon to win her book.
I absolutely love your photography. I wish I could cook like you! emilyfette@gmail.com
That looks so awesome! I need to bake this weekend so my house can smell of cinnamon...
Yum! I would love a baking bites cookbook - and a bite of that coffeecake!!!
This cake looks abolutely delicious! Cant wait to try it. :D
I love Nicole's blog as much as I adore yours'. Can't wait for her book to get to India (or maybe I'd win this one!) :)
So lovely of you to profile a friend and fellow blogger's new book!
The coffee cake looks delicious!
Hey Helen! I adore ur blog! I think i've said this before but not too sure. I am floored by ur photography! This crumb cake looks excellent. Lovely shots of the spices too!
-Disha.
I love the way that this coffee cake sounds! Coffee cakes are so delicious and easy to whip up and share with friends and loved ones.
coffee cake, a total favorite---always remember the simple Betty Crocker one my mom made.
Please count me in!
I am gonna bookmark this recipe! The sound of it makes me drool!
*hungry*
All things chai are wonderful, and that cake looks no different.
Hi Helen! I think it is fantastic that you take the time to help Haley with her project - not too many people are generous with their time like yourself!
And the cake does look fantastic. I recently made a ginger/chai brulee tart too and the results were fantastic.
I drink chai twice a day, so this will be a perfect pairing!
I would love a copy of that book - and that coffeecake looks delicious!
mmm chai in cake form!
There is only one alteration I would make to the recipe: Crumb topping X4 lol.
Oh wow, I guess I've fallen behind in my Baking Bites readership; I didn't realize she had a cookbook coming!
Chai in coffee cake form?!? I must buy cardamom and make asap!
Oh, these look delicious! ...and I've been in a baking mood lately. The book would be perfect!
I recently found your blog and I am hooked. I love reading your entries and the beautiful pics that go with them.
Thanks!
Ooooh - that is kinda like a one-stop coffee shop visit, since you combine the chai latte with the cake - sounds very yummy!
I love baking bites! I want to make those pumpkin cookies she just posted!
Thank you for giving my inspiration to become a better baker. A cook I am, but about a year ago, my cakes were eh..
I've become to LOVE baking now, and look forward to new recipes and challenges more and more. Keep inspiring those who read cooking and baking blogs.
Ohh I love Nicole's blog, and so glad she's written a cookbook. I'm having so much fun with new cookbooks from all of my favorite bloggers... Helen, are you next?! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity :)
I am completely jealous of your photography!
What a great recipe. Another in the long list that I need to make!
Oh my. I love chai tea, and I love cardamom as a spice, I think I would love this cake. I'd like to try more recipes from the book too!
Love coffee cake! This one sounds like a winner! Martha
That cake looks fantastic! I love Chai spices -- especially when they pack some heat!
happy halloween, and thanks for yet another scrumptious post!
I loooveee chai what a beautiful recipe!
Count me in. And I was just adding to my market list...so here I go, off to make a cake for the first time in ages. A good, gray, almost-rainy day for it.
Happy Hallowe'en to all!
ciao-meow
I love chai... I'm sure I'll love this cake and this book!!! I hope I win :)
Chai tea is my time machine. Whenever I want to get back to Vancouver and recreate rainy afternoons with Dido playing in the background I make chai tea. It works every time. Happy Halloween to all!
Thanks for this post, Helen.
Great post! I love chai, I even make my own chai tea, maybe I could use the same spice blend for this cake... Yum!
I adore both Chai and Baking Bites! Thanks for this great recipe and the giveaway, and Happy Halloween!
Oh my goodness that looks delicious! Gotta love coffee cake.
Oh delicious! I'll definitely have to make this soon.
I can't wait to try this recipe. I love Chai Lattes so I'm sure I will love this!
Oh my I must make this! I would love that book.
That looks delicious! I must have it!
Can't wait to try this recipe. Especially since chai is a favorite in my family (my daughters only-my husband hates chai) Maybe that means he won't eat all the cake like he usually does! We can only hope...
Ah, this is great. I have the habit of keeping a bag of loose chai for making where-ever there is boiling water/warm milk. Yumm.
Wow, wow, wow. I haven't made coffee cake in ages. I think it's about time I revisit that little past time. Specifically, with *this* cake. Thank you for sharing!
The book sounds so cool!
This coffee cake recipe looks interesting and delicious. Thanks for posting it, and for the book giveaway. And congratulations to Nicole at Baking Bites!
I've been seeing loads of great recipes using chai spices this autumn, but this one just jumped to the top of the list!
That looks absolutely delicious. I think I am going to run out and get a chai latte (it will be quicker than baking the cake)
What a cool senior project! I haven't heard of Baking Bites, and I am going over to take a look right now.
Yummy, this cake looks great!
Haley is very lucky that you are helping her with her blog, especially the photography. Your photos are what I aspire to. That cake looks wonderful.
-Robin
chai is my favorite tea flavour, and since i have learnt how to brew it myself with the spices, its even better, now, a chai cake? count me in!!!! ir really looks amazing and i can imagine the fantastic flavour, lovely photos as always, outstanding!
cheers from london
Man, I love chai anything...
Cake is my weakness. I'm going to try this tomorrow morning. Thanks for the excuse!
I would love to see her cookbook. And the chai coffee cake looks yummy.
I'd love another great cookbook in my life :)
It's so nice that you're mentoring the next generation of bloggers!
i absolutely *love* the starkness of the second photo against the whiteness of the page. gorgeous shot! :D
Oh yum! I love streusel coffeecakes! I'm going to make this tomorrow morning for breakfast!
Would you believe I love to bake, but have never made a coffeecake? Maybe I NEED this cookbook!
This looks so amazing! I'm definitely going to try this recipe!
Bonjour ! Sa va?I'm currently on vacation from my workplace(I cook shhhh)I told everyone I wouldn't go near the kitchen but searching new recipes on the internet doesn't count does it?I'm always looking for a new book of goodies.
This looks delicious.
Good luck to Haley on her cooking/blogging project!
This looks so good! I'll be making it very soon. I'm sure the book is fabulous!
The cake looks delicious! I love and read baking bites (the blog)! : )
My family loves brunch and we try to always have coffee cake. Can't wait to try this one! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.
What a lovely sounding coffeecake!! Can't wait to make it...
I love coffee cake in all its incarnations! Chai is synonymous with cooler weather to me -- can't wait to try this recipe out!
This looks delicious, I love chai baked goods...
Wow! You managed to make a simple cake looked elegant :)
Your blog is so much fun to read
I check for new recipes every day
Cheryl
The spices in chai are my favorites- this looks so delicious, I can never resist a slice of coffeecake!
fabulous! thank you!
Oh I would love this book!
Wow! It looks wonderful.... !!!
I'm heading to the kitchen right now... this looks delish! thanks
This coffee cake looks AMAZING! A must try! Love your blog!!!
Your blog is great, as is hers. I would love a copy, thanks!
Looks delicious! I'll have to try this... sometime soon...
oo oo! Pick me!
From another cook in Charleston...
I'd love to win Nicole's cookbook! I've been following her blog for a long time now.
Thank you!
The cake sounds wonderful. I'd love to have a copy.
Seriously, I am so addicted to Chai at the moment so I cannot wait to try this recipe. Congratulations to Nicole on achieving one of her dreams and I am glad that you let us know about the book.
The coffee cake and book all sound so great.
Looks delicious! cant wait to make it :)
This sounds delicious!
I would love a taste of that coffeecake; it looks delicious!
I also read and love the Baking Bites blog; would enjoy the cookbook very much.
OMG - I just love Chai. Every Chrismas I make a homemade brew of chai to have while we open our gifts. I think maybe this year I should try some chai coffee cake instead.
Just wonderful!
Heh, funny enough I think I added your blog to my Google Reader and it ended up recommending Baking Bites as another blog I might like.
coffee cake!! this is the rave at my house now... and a chance of winning a book? wheeee~~ hope I can get my hands on it!!
I love bakingbites.com and I have tried the mocha espresso cookies fom Nicole's website.It would be awesome if I win this....
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