Spice Cake Recipe

A pumpkin spice cake frosted with cream cheese frosting and surrounded by cinnamon sticks and spices.

This spice cake recipe makes a moist cake that's bursting with spice flavor. This easy recipe makes a great homemade alternative to using a box of spice cake mix.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 392kcal

Author Kate @ I Heart Eating

Equipment

9x13 pan

Ingredients

Cake

3 cups all purpose flour see note below about properly measuring
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¾ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon allspice
4 large eggs
1 ½ cups brown sugar tightly packed
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
½ cup butter softened to room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar sifted
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9x13 pan or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and all of the spices.
3 cups all purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ¾ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon allspice
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, both sugars, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4 large eggs, 1 ½ cups brown sugar, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 1 cup vegetable oil, ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add the flour mixture in 3-4 batches, stirring between each addition until batter is smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool completely in the pan before frosting.
To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese together using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup butter
Add in powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt and continue mixing until smooth and well incorporated.
3 cups powdered sugar, 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt
Frost the cake once cooled, then slice and enjoy!

Notes

Flour: To properly measure the flour, either weigh it or sift/stir it to break it up. Lightly spoon into a measuring cup and level.
Spices: Feel free to adjust the combination and amount of spices according to your liking.
Brown sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work well.
Vegetable oil: Or a similar neutral oil like canola oil or olive oil.
Applesauce: Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt also works well in place of the applesauce.
Cream cheese: I recommend using full-fat cream cheese or reduced-fat cream cheese. I don't recommend fat-free cream cheese.
Butter: If using unsalted butter, add an extra pinch or two of salt.
Vanilla extract: The vanilla does add a tint to the frosting. If you'd like whiter frosting, you can use clear vanilla.
Nutrition values are estimates.

Nutrition