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Spice Cake

Spice Cake

This wonderful, delicious spice cake is made with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and topped with fluffy, satiny-smooth cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
YIELD 16 servings

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 and ¼ cups (170g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) canola or another flavorless oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)

  • 4 oz. (115g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup (½ stick/55g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 and ½ cups (175g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Grease an 8x8-inch pan.
  2. In a large bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl whisk eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined for about a minute. Add oil and whisk until combined. Add applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into the flour mixture and mix as little as possible, just until combined and smooth.

  4. Pour the batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely.
  5. Make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add 1 cup powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth and fluffy. If you want a thicker frosting, add ½ cup more powdered sugar. Frost cake with the frosting.
  6. Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cake is best served at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

For a 9x13-inch cake, double the recipe (both cake and frosting) and bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake stays moist and flavorful for a few days, so you can make it 1-2 days ahead.