Mountain Chai Sponge Cake

This recipe was on the box of the Celestial Seasonings Chai Tea. Very Unique and Spicy! Ironically - - in russian - the word "chai" means "tea" - -so if you speak russian...chai tea, means tea tea.... Start this the night before to allow the tea to steep well.

• Ready In: 36 hrs 15 mins
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 6  chai tea teabags
• 3⁄4 cup water, hot
• 1⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1⁄4 cup cocoa powder
• 6  egg yolks
• 6  eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
•  icing (optional) or  powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Steep 6 bags in 3/4 cup hot water overnight.
2. Next day: Squeeze liquid out of bags and toss bags away.
3. Place milk, tea, butter and cocoa powder in a saucepan and bring to a quick boil.
4. Set aside.
5. Beat eggs, egg yolks and sugar over a warm water bath until the mixture is warm.
6. Then place mixture in a mixer and whip until tripled in volume.
7. Cool for about 5 minutes.
8. Fold the flour and tea mixture into the whipped eggs.
9. Grease and flour dust (or dust with a mixture of cocoa powder and sugar) a 12x18 baking pan.
10. Spread batter into pan.
11. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
12. Place on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes, then remove from pan.
13. Icing is optional or dust with powdered sugar before serving.