Mini Chai Muffins with Vanilla Bean Glaze Recipe: Sweet Bites of Bliss

Rich, aromatic chai spices reimagine ordinary muffins into a delightful culinary experience that awakens your senses.

mini chai muffins represent a compact, flavor-packed treat bursting with warm, complex seasonings.

These bite-sized delicacies blend traditional tea-inspired ingredients into a soft, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

Subtle hints of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger dance across your palate with each delectable morsel.

Perfectly portioned and elegantly crafted, these miniature muffins offer an irresistible combination of comfort and sophistication.

The accompanying vanilla bean glaze adds a luxurious touch of sweetness that elevates the entire dessert.

Indulge in these tiny treasures that promise to surprise and delight your taste buds.

Mini Chai Muffins With a Cozy Glaze

• Burst of Aromatic Spices: Chai spice mix infuses these mini muffins with a warm, complex flavor profile that dances on your taste buds, creating an instant sensory experience.
• Perfectly Petite Treat: Mini muffins offer a bite-sized indulgence that's ideal for portion control, parties, or quick snacking without feeling overwhelmed by a large dessert.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: With a simple one-bowl method and minimal prep time, these muffins come together in under 30 minutes, making them accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Luxurious Vanilla Bean Finish: The glossy vanilla bean glaze adds a sophisticated touch, transforming ordinary muffins into an elegant treat that looks as good as it tastes.

What You’ll Need for These Mini Chai Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the muffins, soft and fine flour works best.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help muffins rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Chai Spice Mix: Signature warm, aromatic blend that gives muffins a cozy and complex flavor profile.

• Plain Yogurt, Milk: Add moisture and create tender, soft muffin texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures muffins stay moist and soft, neutral flavor preferred.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener with rich, deep flavor.
• Vanilla: Provides classic sweet aroma and depth.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to muffins.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze with perfect consistency.
• Milk: Helps adjust glaze thickness and creates smooth texture.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds intense vanilla flavor with visible bean specks.

Muffin Instructions With Chai Spice Flavor in Every Bite

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Line mini muffin pan with 32 paper liners or spray with cooking spray

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Chai spice blend

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Plain yogurt
• Whole milk
• Vegetable oil
• Maple syrup
• Pure vanilla extract
• Large egg

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients using a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep muffins tender.

Step 5: Bake Muffins

Fill mini muffin cups evenly with batter

Bake for 10-14 minutes

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into center- it should come out clean

Step 6: Cool Muffins

Let muffins rest in pan for 5 minutes

Transfer to wire cooling rack

Allow complete cooling before glazing

Step 7: Craft Vanilla Bean Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla bean paste

Adjust consistency by adding more milk for desired thickness

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Dip or drizzle cooled muffins with glaze

Let glaze set and harden on wire rack

Serve and enjoy your delightful chai muffins!

Muffin Tips for Moist Texture and Balanced Flavor

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, spices, and liquids to ensure consistent, tender muffins every time.
• Fold Gently: Mix wet and dry ingredients with a light hand, stopping just when combined to prevent tough, dense muffins.
• Check Doneness Early: Start testing muffins at 10 minutes to avoid overcooking, as mini muffins bake faster than standard sizes.
• Cool Completely: Allow muffins to cool fully before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and sliding off.
• Glaze Consistency Trick: Add milk or powdered sugar gradually to achieve the perfect drizzling or dipping texture for the vanilla bean glaze.

How to Store and Reheat Mini Muffins

• Refrigerate: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep glaze separate to prevent sogginess.
• Freeze: Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze plain muffins for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before glazing.
• Reheat: Warm muffins briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or toast in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their fresh-baked texture and warmth.

Pairings for Mini Chai Muffins With Glaze

• Pair with Chai Tea: Enhance the chai spice muffins with a warm, freshly brewed chai tea that mirrors the aromatic spices in the recipe, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
• Complement with Creamy Accompaniment: Serve alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the muffins' warm spices and add a luxurious creamy texture.
• Match with Fruity Beverage: Enjoy with a crisp apple cider or a light peach smoothie to provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, spiced muffins and cleanse the palate.
• Combine with Nutty Side: Add a small handful of toasted almonds or pecans on the side to introduce a crunchy element that complements the soft muffin texture and enhances the chai spice profile.

New Spins on the Chai Muffin Formula

• Spiced Pumpkin Chai Muffins: Replace chai spice mix with pumpkin pie spice and add 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree to the wet ingredients for an autumnal flavor profile.
• Chocolate Chai Muffins: Mix 1/4 cup cocoa powder into the dry ingredients and sprinkle dark chocolate chips on top before baking for a rich, intense variation.
• Nutty Chai Crunch Muffins: Fold chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the batter and top with a caramel-infused glaze for extra texture and depth of flavor.
• Coconut Chai Mini Muffins: Incorporate 1/2 cup shredded coconut into the batter and replace milk with coconut milk for a tropical-inspired version that enhances the warm chai spices.

Mini Chai Muffins with Vanilla Bean Glaze Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 29 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Spiced mini chai muffins deliver a delightful blend of warm Indian tea flavors in bite-sized perfection. Creamy vanilla bean glaze adds luxurious sweetness, inviting you to savor each aromatic, delectable morsel.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon (1 g) baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon (1 g) kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons (4 g) chai spice mix

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 ml) plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) low-fat milk or milk of choice
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil (canola or melted coconut oil may also be used)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Vanilla Bean Glaze:

• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• 2–3 teaspoons (10–15 ml) low-fat milk

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F and readying a mini muffin pan with either liners or a light cooking spray coating.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a generously sized mixing vessel, whisking the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chai spice mix until thoroughly integrated.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, create a smooth liquid mixture by vigorously whisking together yogurt, milk, oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and egg until fully incorporated.
4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture using a rubber spatula, combining just until the batter appears uniform without overmixing.
5. Distribute the batter evenly across the prepared mini muffin pan, ensuring each cavity receives an equal portion.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-14 minutes, monitoring for a golden exterior and checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean.
7. Allow muffins to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
8. Craft the vanilla bean glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla bean paste in a small bowl until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
9. Adjust the glaze texture by incrementally adding milk to reach desired thickness.
10. Once muffins have completely cooled, either dip or delicately drizzle each with the prepared glaze.
11. Return glazed muffins to the cooling rack, permitting the glaze to set and harden before serving.

Notes

• Spice Blend Magic: Chai spice mix transforms ordinary muffins into an aromatic, warmly-spiced treat that tantalizes taste buds with complex, comforting flavors.
• Quick Breakfast Hack: These mini muffins are perfect for grab-and-go mornings, offering a delightful bite-sized breakfast or snack that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea.
• Glaze Game Strong: The vanilla bean glaze adds a luxurious, elegant touch, elevating these humble muffins from simple to spectacular with its smooth, creamy finish.
• Texture Triumph: Using yogurt ensures incredibly moist, tender muffins that remain soft and delectable even after cooling, creating a perfect tender crumb.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: These mini muffins can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days, making meal prep a breeze.
• Customization Potential: Experiment with different milk alternatives or swap maple syrup with honey for personalized flavor variations that suit your taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg