Honey Chai Spice Cake

• 4 Spiced Chai Tea Bags
• 1/ 2 cup Hot Water
• 5 ounces Can Evaporated Milk
• 3 cups Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cardamom
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cloves
• 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• 3/ 4 cup Softened Butter
• 1 cup Light Brown Sugar
• 3 Large Eggs
• 3/ 4 cup Honey
• 1 1/ 4 cups Heavy Cream
• 4 ounces White Baking Chocolate
• 2 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
• 1/ 4 cup Confectioners Sugar
• 1 pinch Cinnamon
• 1 pinch Cardamom
• 1 pinch Cloves
• 1 pinch Ginger

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Generously spray the Elegant Heart pan with nonstick baking spray with flour. In a glass measuring cup, steep the tea bags in hot water for 3 minutes. Remove tea bags and add evaporated milk. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. In large mixer bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, alternately with the honey, mixing well and scraping bowl often. Add the tea mixture alternately with the flour mixture, mixing well and scraping bowl often.

Pour batter into pan and bake at 325 for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 15 minutes in pan on wire rack then invert onto wire rack to cool completely.

In small saucepan, heat 1/4 cup cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Let sit 2 minutes then whisk until smooth. Let cool until thickened then drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with sugar.  In medium bowl, whip the remaining 1 cup cream, confectioner’s sugar and spices until soft peaks form. Serve cake with the spiced whipped cream.

Baking Instructions:

Pour batter into pan and bake at 325 for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Serving Recommendations:
Cut the cake. Put a slice of cake on a plate. Serve with a dollop of the spiced whipped cream. And a fork. Maybe a nice cup of tea, too.

Why this recipe represents the holiday:
The gorgeous heart-shaped pan says “I love you” right from the start which makes it a perfect Valentine’s Day cake. Although it may not use flavors traditionally associated with Valentine’s goodies, my cake truly represents the love I have for MY heart’s delight because spice cake is my husband’s favorite.