Chai Cinnamon Magdalena Bars

Featured in: Postres Españoles

Soft, fragrant bars merge chai-inspired spices with cinnamon, reflecting the warmth of Spanish magdalenas. Creating the batter is quick and simple—whisk dry and wet ingredients, blend gently, and bake until golden. A sugar-cinnamon topping adds a hint of crunch. Enjoy these comforting bars with black tea or coffee, optionally enhanced with nuts or plant-based milk for personal preference. Serve cut into squares for a cozy treat at teatime or dessert gatherings.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:07:00 GMT
Soft Chai Cinnamon Magdalena Bars, dusted with sugar, perfect for afternoon tea.  Guardar
Soft Chai Cinnamon Magdalena Bars, dusted with sugar, perfect for afternoon tea. | yumyta.com

Soft, aromatic bars inspired by Spanish magdalenas, infused with chai spices and cinnamon for a comforting teatime treat.

I first tried creating these magdalena bars after studying traditional Spanish cakes. The blend of chai spices makes them perfect for sharing at family gatherings, and their soft texture always delights everyone.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
  • Baking powder: 1 ½ tsp
  • Baking soda: ½ tsp
  • Salt: ¼ tsp
  • Ground cinnamon: 1 ½ tsp
  • Ground ginger: 1 tsp
  • Ground cardamom: ½ tsp
  • Ground cloves: ¼ tsp
  • Ground nutmeg: ¼ tsp
  • Granulated sugar: ½ cup (100 g)
  • Brown sugar (packed): ¼ cup (50 g)
  • Eggs (large, room temperature): 3
  • Whole milk (room temperature): ½ cup (120 ml)
  • Vegetable oil: ½ cup (120 ml)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
  • Coarse sugar (optional topping): 2 tbsp
  • Ground cinnamon (optional topping): ½ tsp

Instructions

Prepare pan:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Mix dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.
Mix wet ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine batter:
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Spread batter:
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Add topping:
For the topping, combine coarse sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the batter if desired.
Bake:
Bake for 23–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and cut:
Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars to serve.
Warm and fragrant Chai Cinnamon Magdalena Bars, ideal for sharing with friends.  Guardar
Warm and fragrant Chai Cinnamon Magdalena Bars, ideal for sharing with friends. | yumyta.com

My kids love these bars with warm drinks after school, and they enjoy helping sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping before baking.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan, parchment paper (optional), wire rack.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 205 calories, 8 g total fat, 30 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein.

Customization Ideas

For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with oat or almond milk. Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for a bit of crunch and flavor.

Deliciously spiced Chai Cinnamon Magdalena Bars, a comforting dessert for cozy gatherings. Guardar
Deliciously spiced Chai Cinnamon Magdalena Bars, a comforting dessert for cozy gatherings. | yumyta.com

Enjoy these bars fresh for the best flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre recetas

What kind of spices are used in these bars?

Ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg blend to create a warm chai-inspired flavor profile.

Can I make these bars dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk to make a dairy-free version of the bars.

Can I add nuts for extra texture?

Absolutely. Mix in chopped walnuts or pecans to add crunch and a nutty twist to the bars.

How should I serve these bars?

Serve the bars as a snack or dessert, especially alongside black tea or coffee for a comforting pairing.

Are these bars easy to prepare?

Yes, they use simple instructions, common ingredients, and minimal tools for easy home baking.

What allergens are present in these bars?

They contain eggs and wheat (gluten), and may include milk unless a plant-based alternative is used. Check packaging for traces of nuts or soy.

Chai Cinnamon Magdalena Bars

Soft bars feature chai spices and cinnamon—comforting, aromatic, and ideal for cozy coffee or tea breaks.

Tiempo de preparación
20 min
Tiempo de cocción
25 min
Tiempo total
45 min

Categoría Postres Españoles

Dificultad Easy

Origen Fusion

Cantidad obtenida 12 Porciones

Especificaciones alimentarias Vegetariano

Ingredientes

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 ¼ teaspoon salt
05 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 1 teaspoon ground ginger
07 ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
08 ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
09 ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 ½ cup granulated sugar
11 ¼ cup brown sugar, packed

Wet Ingredients

01 3 large eggs, room temperature
02 ½ cup whole milk, room temperature
03 ½ cup vegetable oil
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Topping

01 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
02 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instrucciones

Paso 01

Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.

Paso 02

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk thoroughly until integrated.

Paso 03

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until homogenous.

Paso 04

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing the batter.

Paso 05

Transfer to Pan and Top: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. For topping, mix coarse sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over batter, if using.

Paso 06

Bake: Bake for 23–25 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should exit clean.

Paso 07

Cool and Cut: Allow bars to rest in pan for 10 minutes. Lift out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice into bars and serve.

Equipamiento necesario

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 8x8-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Información sobre alérgenos

Revisa cada ingrediente para identificar posibles alérgenos y consulta a un profesional de la salud en caso de dudas.
  • Contains eggs and wheat (gluten).
  • May contain milk unless using a plant-based alternative.
  • Check all ingredient packaging for traces of nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Valores nutricionales (por porción)

Esta información se proporciona únicamente como referencia y no reemplaza el consejo médico.
  • Calorías: 205
  • Grasas: 8 g
  • Carbohidratos: 30 g
  • Proteínas: 3 g