Description
This moist and fragrant Spice Cake is bursting with warm autumnal spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. It is enhanced with tangy sour cream and apple sauce for extra moisture. The cake is perfectly complemented by a rich, silky Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 3/4 cups (350g) all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 2 cups (380g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (200ml) vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup (235g) unsweetened apple sauce
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (200g) sour cream, room temperature
- 1 cup (220g) unsalted butter
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Cinnamon sticks
- Candied nuts (half the recipe)
Instructions
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together brown sugar, vegetable oil, and apple sauce. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly. Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, folding until just combined.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. Divide batter between pans and smooth tops. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until golden brown and nutty, about 5-7 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
- Beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add cooled brown butter, mixing continuously. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract until creamy and spreadable.
- Once cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting on top. Add second layer and frost top and sides.
- Decorate with cinnamon sticks and candied nuts. Chill briefly to set frosting before slicing. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- This cake is perfect for family gatherings or holiday celebrations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg