Sour Cream Chai Cake

I wish I could tell you that I've been so slow to post because I was off solving some major world problem. But I wasn't. I wasn't even solving a minor world problem, for that matter. I've just been in a bit of a dwaal, which will hopefully lift as spring approaches. Until then I'll have to find comfort in baking cakes like this rich, moist sour cream chai cake.

You might recognize this recipe. I used a chocolate version of it to make ornaments last December. I noticed last night that a jar of cream had gone sour in the fridge and instead of tossing it I thought I'd make cake. Nigella's sour cream chocolate cake popped instantly to mind, only I didn't want to make chocolate cake. I wondered if I could just leave out the cocoa, so I did, and it worked.

The result was an unbelievably rich, moist, warmly spiced cake. It's the sort of cake that needs strong tea or coffee to cut its richness. I have a feeling it is also the sort of cake that is even better the next day.

Sour Cream Chai Cake

adapted from Nigella Lawson

• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground chai spice
• 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. butter, soft
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs. sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour cake pans or a ring mold and set aside.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chai spice in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the butter and, using the paddle attachment, combine it into the flour mixture. In another bowl or a quart measuring pitcher, whisk together the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Add slowly to the flour mixture and beat until thoroughly mixed.
• Bake for half an hour. Allow to cool slightly in the pan then turn out onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Transfer to serving dish and dust with powdered sugar.

A good cake for tea or coffee.

I like always to have something on hand to offer in case someone pops over unexpectedly. It will be a lucky popper-over indeed who gets offered this cake.