There’s simply nothing like a homemade Spice Cake to wrap you in warmth and kindness, right from the first bite. This cake, brimming with cozy layers of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove, brings instant nostalgic charm to any table. Whether you’re baking for a family get-together, impressing guests during fall festivities, or simply craving a sweet treat with your afternoon coffee, you’ll love how tender and aromatic each slice turns out. The aroma alone is enough to make any day feel special, and with the addition of tangy buttermilk and rich brown sugar, the flavor is delightfully balanced—never too sweet, always just right.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Spice Cake contributes to its signature fragrance, flavor, and cloud-soft texture. Don’t be fooled by how humble the shopping list looks—these kitchen staples combine to make magic happen!
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the sturdy backbone of the cake, assuring a perfect crumb and structure with every slice.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Essential leaveners; they work together to give your Spice Cake its irresistible lift and softness.
- Salt: Just a dash sharpens all the sweet and spicy notes, making the flavors really pop.
- Ground Cinnamon: The main spice, giving warmth, depth, and that holiday aroma everyone loves.
- Ground Ginger: Adds zing and a gentle heat that boosts the flavor profile.
- Ground Nutmeg: Lends a subtle earthiness and nutty aroma, rounding out the spice blend.
- Ground Cloves: Just a hint delivers intensity and that classic Spice Cake flair.
- Ground Allspice: Brings a touch of peppery warmth to tie all the other spices together.
- Unsalted Butter (room temperature): Makes the cake decadently rich and moist—don’t rush the softening, it’s worth it!
- Granulated Sugar: Lightens the structure while satisfying every sweet tooth.
- Brown Sugar (packed): Adds moisture and those lovely hints of caramel to deepen the cake’s flavor.
- Large Eggs (room temperature): Act as the binder, making sure your Spice Cake holds together beautifully.
- Vanilla Extract: Balances the spices with a touch of sweetness and complexity.
- Buttermilk: The secret weapon for tender, melt-in-your-mouth cake and a slight tangy finish.
How to Make Spice Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Set your oven to 350°F and embrace that anticipation! Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to guarantee your Spice Cake pops out easily and neatly. This is a great time to set your butter and eggs out if you haven’t already—they’ll blend much better at room temperature.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. This step not only combines the leaveners and spices evenly, but it also helps aerate the flour for a lighter, fluffier cake.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a larger bowl, beat the room-temperature butter with both the granulated and brown sugars. You want the mixture to be pale and fluffy—this means air is being incorporated, which is key to a tender crumb in your finished Spice Cake.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each goes in. This patience ensures the batter emulsifies, keeping your cake light, not dense. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse a gentle aroma that complements the spices.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Add your dry mixture to the creamed butter in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk (start and end with the flour mixture). Gently stir between each addition, mixing just enough to combine without overworking the batter. This technique keeps your Spice Cake remarkably tender.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the finished batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Transfer it into your oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The irresistible aroma filling your kitchen will let you know something wonderful is happening.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing—this makes it easier to cut tidy, beautiful pieces and really gives the flavors time to develop fully. Once cool, your Spice Cake is ready to enjoy as is, or with your favorite topping.
How to Serve Spice Cake
Garnishes
A classic cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully with Spice Cake, providing a slight tang to match the spices. For a simpler touch, dust the top with powdered sugar for a snow-kissed look. You can also add a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or drizzle with caramel for a little extra wow factor.
Side Dishes
Spice Cake is phenomenal on its own, but it beams alongside a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, and works wonders with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a cozy autumn-themed treat, try serving it with stewed apples or pears on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, cut the Spice Cake into bite-sized squares and serve them on a tiered platter—think tea party style! You can layer pieces in a trifle bowl with vanilla pudding and more whipped cream for an impressive dessert, or even use cookie cutters for fun, festive shapes at kids’ parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Spice Cake delightful for days, cover it tightly with foil, plastic wrap, or store in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay soft and flavorful for up to three days—though it never seems to last that long in my house!
Freezing
If you’d like to store Spice Cake for longer, wrap individual slices or the entire cake (without frosting) tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to three months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before bringing to room temperature.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked goodness, warm a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Or, if you prefer, wrap in foil and heat in a low oven until just warmed through—this is especially tempting if you’re serving it with ice cream!
FAQs
Can I use a different pan size for this Spice Cake?
Absolutely! While a 9×13 inch pan is classic, you can bake this in two 9-inch rounds if you’d like to turn it into a layer cake. Just remember to check for doneness a bit earlier—around 25-30 minutes.
Can I substitute the buttermilk?
Yes, if you don’t have buttermilk handy, simply add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for a few minutes. This “homemade” buttermilk works perfectly in this recipe.
Is this Spice Cake recipe suitable for cupcakes?
Definitely! Pour the batter into lined cupcake tins, filling about 2/3 full. Bake at the same temperature for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
How should I store frosted Spice Cake?
If topped with cream cheese frosting, store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and food safety. Let it come to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
Can I add nuts or raisins to this cake?
Of course! If you’d like some added texture and flavor, fold in up to 1 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins with the final addition of flour. It’s a fantastic way to put your own spin on this classic Spice Cake.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason everyone who tries this Spice Cake finds a new favorite! It’s rich in flavor, easy to make, and endlessly versatile. I truly hope you bake it soon—the aromatics alone will make your kitchen feel like pure happiness. Don’t forget to share a slice with someone you love!
Print
Spice Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warm and comforting flavors of a homemade Spice Cake. This aromatic cake is perfect for fall, with a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and more spices. Enjoy a slice with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk in three parts, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Top with cream cheese frosting or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
