Description
This Moist Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the ultimate cozy dessert packed with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in every soft and tender bite. The rich cream cheese frosting adds the perfect tangy balance, creating a bakery-style cake that feels homemade and comforting. Whether you need an easy dessert recipe for holidays, birthday celebrations, fall gatherings, dinner ideas, or weekend baking projects, this cake delivers incredible flavor and texture every single time. Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert tables, family celebrations, or even a casual coffee break, this easy spice cake recipe stays moist for days and tastes even better after chilling. If you love homemade cake recipes, easy dessert ideas, comfort food baking, and classic cream cheese frosting, this recipe deserves a permanent place in your collection.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
3. In another bowl, whisk brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and applesauce until smooth.
4. Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts if using.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake layers to cool in the pans for 10 to 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
9. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in heavy cream and vanilla extract until creamy.
11. Frost the completely cooled cake layers with cream cheese frosting.
12. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest batter and frosting texture.
Do not overmix the batter because excessive mixing can create a dense cake instead of a soft and tender crumb.
For cleaner cake slices, chill the frosted cake for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: moist spice cake, cream cheese frosting cake, easy dessert recipe, homemade spice cake, fall dessert ideas, holiday cake recipe, easy cake recipe, comfort dessert, Thanksgiving dessert, cozy baking recipe