Description
Moist Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a soft, warmly spiced layer cake made with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, then finished with a smooth tangy cream cheese frosting for a cozy dessert that feels perfect for holidays, gatherings, or any day you want a homemade classic.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one, then mix in the vanilla extract.
5. In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk and sour cream until smooth.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk mixture. Mix just until combined.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
8. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
10. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
11. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then mix in the vanilla extract and enough heavy cream to make the frosting spreadable.
12. Frost the cooled cake layers, then slice and serve.
Notes
Use room temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese for the smoothest batter and frosting.
Measure the flour carefully so the cake stays soft and tender instead of heavy.
Chill the frosted cake for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing if you want cleaner layers.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: moist spice cake, cream cheese frosting, holiday cake, spiced layer cake, homemade dessert