Description
A cozy and comforting spice cake filled with warm flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and more, perfect for creating family memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 3/4 cups (355g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- pinch of black pepper (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240mL) vegetable oil
- 1 1/3 cups (355g) unsweetened apple sauce
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (240g) full fat sour cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 8 oz block full fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups (465g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- chopped pecans or walnuts (optional – for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or line it with parchment.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and the pinch of black pepper in a large bowl until even.
- In a separate bowl, beat the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and oil until glossy and combined. Add the apple sauce and eggs one at a time, beating lightly after each.
- Stir in the sour cream and vanilla until smooth. Fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting, in a large bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and thick.
- Mix in the vanilla extract. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and sprinkle chopped nuts on top if desired.
Notes
Feel free to adjust spices according to your taste. This cake pairs well with warm caramel sauce or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg