Homemade Spice Cake Recipe - Moist & Flavorful Delight

Spice cake is a delightful dessert that captures the essence of autumn with its warm flavors and moist texture. This type of cake is usually made with a combination of rich spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with ingredients such as sour cream and buttermilk that enhance its moisture. To truly bring out the flavors, toasting the spices before mixing them into the batter can make a significant difference.

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A cream cheese frosting is often the perfect topping for spice cake, adding a tangy contrast to its sweet and spicy notes. This cake is not only suitable for special occasions but also a comforting treat during the cooler months. Whether enjoyed plain or dressed with frosting, spice cake is a versatile dessert that can please any crowd.

Key Takeaways

• Spice cake combines warm spices and moist ingredients for rich flavor.
• Cream cheese frosting complements the sweetness and spices well.
• This cake is ideal for various occasions, especially in the fall.

What is Spice Cake?

Spice cake is a delightful treat often enjoyed during the fall and winter months. It features a blend of warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, and cardamom. While not every recipe includes all of these spices, many prefer a rich and flavorful cake that highlights each one. Its moist texture and aromatic flavors make it suitable for cozy gatherings, especially when paired with cream cheese frosting. The cake can be enhanced with ingredients like brown sugar and molasses, contributing to its warm and inviting taste. Spice cake is truly a timeless dessert.

Homemade Spice Cake Ingredients

To make a delicious spice cake, he will need the following ingredients:

• Oil: Use vegetable oil or a mild-flavored olive oil.
• Spices: Include cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and allspice.
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Mexican vanilla
• Almond extract
• Molasses
• Sour cream
• All-purpose flour
• Kosher salt
• Baking powder
• Frosting: Prepare a double batch of homemade cream cheese frosting.

How to Prepare Spice Cake

To begin making spice cake, gather the following spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, and cardamom.

Next, heat some neutral oil, such as light olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil, in a small pan. Once warm, add the spices and let them bubble for about a minute. It's crucial to monitor the heat to prevent burning. After toasting, let the oil cool completely, which can be sped up by placing it in the freezer for a short time. This method releases the flavors of the spices, enhancing the overall taste of the cake.

The next step is to cream together butter and sugar. After achieving a smooth mixture, add the cooled spiced oil. It's important that the oil isn't hot to maintain the quality of the butter-sugar blend.

In separate bowls, sift together the flour and other dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine all the wet ingredients, including eggs, buttermilk, sour cream, molasses, almond extract, and vanilla extract. This combination contributes to the cake's moist texture. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients with the wet ones, alternating between the two. Stop mixing once the batter is well combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.

Before baking, line the pans with parchment paper for easier removal. The cake will bake evenly and flat, allowing for perfect layering.

Once baked and cooled, stack the layers and frost with cream cheese frosting. This combination of spice cake and frosting creates a delightful treat. Enjoy the rich flavors of this homemade dessert!

Best Frosting Choices for Spice Cake

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Spice cake pairs wonderfully with a variety of frostings that enhance its warm flavors. Here are some top choices:

• Peanut Butter Frosting: This unique option adds a rich, nutty flavor that complements the spices beautifully.
• Chocolate Buttercream: The sweetness of chocolate creates a tasty contrast with the spiced cake, making for a delicious treat.
• Caramel Frosting: Rich and buttery, caramel frosting adds a sweet depth that works well with the spices.
• Maple Pecan Frosting: This frosting brings a delightful maple flavor along with crunch from pecans, enhancing the cake's cozy taste.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: A classic choice, it offers creaminess with a slight tang, balancing the sweetness of the cake.

Choosing the right frosting can elevate a spice cake into a memorable dessert. Each option has its charm, so personal preference plays a significant role in the decision.

Serving Ideas for Homemade Spice Cake

Homemade spice cake can be enjoyed in various ways. It pairs wonderfully with homemade cream cheese frosting for added flavor. For a simpler presentation, a light dusting of powdered sugar enhances its appeal. Pairing a slice with a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream takes the dessert to another level.

How to Keep Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Fresh

To preserve spice cake topped with cream cheese frosting, it should be refrigerated. This way, it remains good for 5 to 6 days. For longer storage, bake and cool the cake, then wrap each layer separately and place them in the freezer. The layers can last up to 3 months. To serve, simply thaw the layers and add new frosting before enjoying.

Spice Cake Recipe from Scratch FAQ

What’s the difference between carrot cake and spice cake?
Carrot cake includes shredded carrots, while spice cake does not. Both cakes share moistness and a blend of spices, making them comforting options.

Why is spice cake popular?
Spice cake's history dates back to ancient times, where cakes were made with grains, honey, and various spices. In Medieval Europe, it became known as “Excellent Cake.” Its rich tradition shows its long-standing appeal.

What flavors can be expected in spice cake?
Spice cake offers a warm and inviting flavor profile. Common ingredients include:

• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Cardamom
• Allspice

Additionally, flavors from Mexican vanilla, almond extract, and molasses enhance its taste, making it a delightful dessert, often reminiscent of holiday baking.

How can spice cake be made more moist?
Adding ingredients like sour cream or buttermilk can help improve moisture. Toasting spices before incorporating them can also intensify their flavors.

More homemade cake recipes you are going to love!

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Spice Cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 27 minutes

Additional Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes

The BEST homemade spice cake bursts with autumnal flavors and boasts an incredibly moist texture, thanks to the perfect combination of sour cream, oil, and buttermilk. No more dry cakes! The secret lies in toasting the spices before incorporating them into the batter, enhancing their aromatic essence. Layered with a luscious cream cheese frosting, this spice cake is the ultimate treat for the season.

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Ingredients

• For the Cake:
• 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
• 2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil or light-flavored olive oil
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 & ½ teaspoons ginger
• 1 & ½ teaspoons nutmeg
• ¾ teaspoon cloves
• ¾ teaspoon cardamom
• ½ teaspoon allspice
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons Mexican vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• ½ cup sour cream
• 3 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• For the Frosting:
• A double batch of Cream Cheese Frosting (requires 2 sticks of butter, 2 packs of cream cheese, and 5-8 cups of powdered sugar depending on desired consistency)

Instructions

• Start by toasting your spices. Heat a small skillet over medium heat and pour in ½ cup of neutral oil. In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, 1 and ½ teaspoons of ginger, 1 and ½ teaspoons of nutmeg, ¾ teaspoon of cloves, ¾ teaspoon of cardamom, and ½ teaspoon of allspice. When the oil is hot, add the spices all at once and toast them for about a minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning. The mixture should become fragrant and bubble slightly. Remove from heat after one minute and allow it to cool completely, speeding up the process by placing it in a bowl in the freezer if necessary.
• Preheat your oven to 325°F. Trace the outline of three 9-inch cake pans onto parchment paper, cut out the circles, and place them in the bottom of each pan. Coat the pans, including the sides, generously with nonstick spray to ensure the cakes don’t stick.
• In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 1 cup of softened butter until smooth. (If using a stand mixer, you can start with cold butter and beat for a few minutes until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.)
• Add 2 cups of packed brown sugar and 1 cup of granulated sugar to the butter, and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, pausing once to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Once the spiced oil has cooled, add it to the butter and sugar mixture, and continue to beat until fully incorporated.
• In a separate medium bowl with a pouring spout, whisk together 5 large eggs until smooth. Add in 1 cup of buttermilk, 2 teaspoons of Mexican vanilla, 1 teaspoon of almond extract, 2 tablespoons of molasses, and ½ cup of sour cream, and whisk until everything is well combined.
• Place a fine-mesh strainer over another medium bowl and sift together 3 cups + 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon of baking powder.
• Gradually add the egg mixture and the sifted flour mixture to the butter mixture in alternating additions, starting and ending with the egg mixture. Mix on low speed just until the ingredients are combined, taking care not to overmix. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
• Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans.
• Bake the cakes at 325°F for 27-30 minutes.
• For best results, bake one cake at a time, but if your oven is capable, you may bake two at once. Avoid baking all three cakes simultaneously unless you have a high-quality oven. Regardless of how many cakes you bake at once, rotate the pans 180 degrees about two-thirds through the baking time to ensure even baking. If baking two cakes at a time, also switch their positions in the oven. Avoid opening the oven door except when necessary to rotate the pans. Check the cakes at around 22 minutes—if the tops still appear very liquid, wait before rotating.
• When the cakes are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans on a cooling rack for about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of each cake to loosen it from the pan, then carefully invert the cakes onto the cooling rack to cool completely. If desired, speed up the cooling process by placing the cakes in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
• Once the cakes are completely cool or partially frozen, frost them with a double batch of Cream Cheese Frosting. To prepare the frosting, you’ll need 2 sticks of butter, 2 packs of cream cheese, and 5-8 cups of powdered sugar, depending on how thick you prefer the frosting. For a cake like the one in the photos, 5 cups of powdered sugar should suffice. Follow the recipe linked for detailed instructions on making the frosting.

Notes

• To make a quick buttermilk substitute, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a 1-cup measuring cup, then fill it to the 1-cup mark with milk (preferably whole milk). Stir the mixture and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken before using.
• If you’re not a fan of almond extract, you can replace it with an additional teaspoon of vanilla extract. Regular vanilla extract can also be used in place of Mexican vanilla if that’s what you have on hand.

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Nutrition

The nutritional values for one serving of cake are:

This cake truly brings out amazing flavors while ensuring moisture, thanks to ingredients like sour cream and buttermilk. Each bite can be a delightful experience, especially when enjoyed with friends and family.