Irresistibly Moist Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: Your Ultimate Fall Dessert
Last year, our Pumpkin Magic Cake recipe was the undeniable cake of the season, setting a remarkably high bar for this year’s follow-up. Embracing another timeless classic, we’re thrilled to bring you an exceptionally moist and flavorful Spice Cake. This isn’t just any spice cake; we’ve transformed it into a stunning, yet simple and elegant, layer cake, moving beyond the traditional sheet cake format to create a truly special dessert perfect for autumn celebrations.
An Elevated Spice Cake Experience: Layers of Comfort and Flavor
Spice cakes are often the unsung heroes of the fall dessert table – simple, understated, yet capable of making a grand statement with every bite. This year, however, we decided our homemade spice cake deserved a spotlight. We’ve given it a delightful upgrade, presenting it as a magnificent layer cake adorned with a slightly stiffer, yet wonderfully smooth and tangy cream cheese frosting. The cake itself boasts a denser, incredibly moist, and perfectly crumbly texture, making it robust enough to handle the elegant stacking of multiple layers.
Despite its sophisticated appearance, we’ve deliberately kept the decorating techniques straightforward and accessible. A simple star-dot pattern of frosting around the edge requires no advanced piping skills, ensuring anyone can achieve a beautiful finish. There’s something undeniably special and celebratory about cutting into a towering layer cake, revealing the perfectly moist slices nestled between generous swirls of frosting. To truly elevate the experience, don’t forget a final sprinkle of extra spice and a decadent drizzle of caramel sundae sauce over each individual serving. This combination creates an unforgettable dessert that captures the very essence of autumn indulgence.
A Melodic Blend of Classic Fall Flavors
Every element of this spice cake harmonizes to deliver the classic, comforting flavors of fall. It’s a symphony of warm spices, featuring the aromatic blend of pumpkin spice, the sweet heat of cinnamon, the subtle fruitiness of fresh apple, and a deep, rich hint of molasses. These ingredients are carefully balanced to create a complex and inviting taste profile that evokes cozy evenings and crisp autumn air. Capping it all off is our homemade cream cheese frosting, a perfect counterpoint with its sweet-and-tart creaminess. Its irresistible flavor will have you reaching for a spoon to enjoy it on its own, a testament to its deliciousness!
Baking Made Simple: Easy Steps for a Flawless Cake
The beauty of spice cake often lies in its straightforward preparation, and this recipe is certainly no exception. You don’t even need to pull out an electric hand mixer to achieve that desirable fluffy and tender texture for the cake batter. This is a fantastic advantage for busy bakers, for those who enjoy cooking with kids, or simply when you’re aiming for minimal cleanup after your baking session. The simple whisking method is highly effective, yielding a consistently moist and perfect crumb without the risk of overmixing.
We’ve generously loaded our cake with plenty of warm spices and a grated apple, which is a key contributor to the cake’s incredible moisture. The apple bakes right into the cake, becoming completely undetectable once cooked, yet leaving behind a tender crumb and subtle sweetness. This means no special trip to the grocery store is required if you don’t happen to have an apple on hand. While highly recommended for its texture-enhancing properties, you can certainly adjust the spice level to your preference or even omit the grated apple if necessary. This recipe is designed to be forgiving and adaptable to your pantry and taste.
Essential Tips for Baking the Perfect Spice Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For the best results, ensure your eggs, applesauce, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify properly, creating a smooth batter and frosting, which in turn leads to a more uniform and tender cake texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until the flour streaks disappear. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a dense, tough cake rather than a moist, tender one.
- Prepare Pans Diligently: Always grease your cake pans thoroughly and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Greasing the parchment paper too will ensure your cake layers release effortlessly, preventing any sticking or tearing.
- Calibrate Your Oven: Oven temperatures can vary significantly. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can help you verify that your oven is truly heating to the correct temperature, which is crucial for consistent baking results.
- Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue in cake baking! Allow your cake layers to cool completely on a wire rack before you even think about frosting them. Attempting to frost a warm cake will lead to melted, sliding frosting and a less than stellar presentation.
Creative Variations and Serving Suggestions
While this spice cake recipe is undeniably delicious as is, feel free to get creative and customize it to your personal preferences. Here are some ideas to inspire your baking:
- Add Nuts: Fold in ½ cup of finely chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for an added layer of crunch and earthy flavor.
- Citrus Zest: Incorporate a tablespoon of finely grated orange or lemon zest into the batter for a bright, aromatic lift that beautifully complements the warm spices.
- Alternative Frostings: If cream cheese isn’t your favorite, this cake would also be delightful with a classic vanilla buttercream, a maple glaze, or even a brown sugar frosting.
- Spice Profile Adjustments: Feel free to tweak the amounts of pumpkin spice and cinnamon. For a milder flavor, reduce them slightly; for a bolder, more intense spice kick, increase them gradually.
- Dried Fruit Inclusion: Add ½ cup of plump raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots to the batter for extra chewiness and pockets of fruity sweetness.
- Serving Enhancements: Beyond the caramel drizzle, consider serving slices with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or alongside a warm cup of coffee or cider.
For more caramel-apple goodness that perfectly embodies the spirit of fall, be sure to check out my Caramel Apple Crumb Cake recipe or my tempting Caramel Apple Cupcake recipe. These are wonderful alternatives or additions to your autumn baking repertoire.
Ingredients for This Delicious Spice Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted for best results
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice mix (ensure it’s fresh for maximum flavor)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup oil of choice (canola, vegetable, or a light olive oil all work beautifully to keep the cake moist)
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon molasses (adds a lovely depth and enhances moisture)
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large apple, grated (such as a Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith; adds invisible moisture)
For the Luxurious Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1-8oz package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
- 3-4 cups powdered icing sugar, sifted (adjust to taste and desired consistency)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, optional (for an extra spiced frosting)
- Dried apple chips, optional (for an elegant garnish)
- Caramel sundae sauce, optional (for a decadent drizzle)
Essential Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Large mixing bowl & small mixing bowl (for separating wet and dry ingredients)
- Measuring cups and spoons (accuracy is key in baking!)
- Whisk (perfect for achieving the right cake texture without an electric mixer)
- Grater (for preparing the apple)
- 2 8″ or 9″ round cake pans (ensure they are the same size for even layers)
- Offset spatula (indispensable for smooth frosting application)
- Piping bag with a star tip (for decorative borders, if desired)
- Parchment paper (for lining cake pans)
- Wire cooling rack (essential for cooling cakes evenly)
Spice Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice mix
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 cup oil of choice
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon molasses
- 1 cup applesauce
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large apple grated
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered icing sugar sifted, to taste and preferred consistency
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon optional, for a spiced frosting
- Dried apple chips optional, for garnish
- Caramel sundae sauce optional, for drizzling
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking from the moment your cakes enter the oven.
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Generously grease two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans. For an extra measure of prevention against sticking, line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper, then lightly grease the parchment paper as well. Set the prepared pans aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin spice mix, and cinnamon. Ensure these dry ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed. Set this bowl aside.
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In a separate medium bowl, combine your chosen oil, brown sugar, molasses, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk these wet ingredients until they are smoothly blended.
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Create a spacious well in the center of your dry ingredients in the large bowl. Pour the entire wet oil-sugar mixture into this well. Using your whisk, gently combine the ingredients, mixing just until all ingredients are moistened and no dry patches of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tougher cake.
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Grate your large apple directly into the prepared cake batter. Once grated, give the batter a final gentle stir to ensure the apple pieces are evenly distributed.
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Carefully and evenly divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans. Aim for approximately 2 1/2 cups of batter per pan to ensure consistent cake layers.
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Bake in your preheated oven for 18-22 minutes. The cakes are done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on them, as oven times can vary.
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Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven. Let them cool in their pans for about 5 minutes before carefully inverting them onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely to room temperature. This is crucial before frosting.
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While the cake layers are cooling, proceed with making the luscious cream cheese frosting.
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In a large bowl, using an electric mixer (or by hand with a sturdy whisk), beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and perfectly smooth. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar and the vanilla extract, beating until well combined. Continue to add more powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until you achieve your desired sweetness and preferred consistency for spreading. If you desire, now is the time to beat in the optional cinnamon for a spiced frosting.
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Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on your preferred serving platter or cake stand. Spoon approximately 1/2 cup of the prepared frosting onto the top of this first layer. Using an offset spatula, carefully smooth the frosting to cover the entire top surface evenly. Gently place the second cake layer directly on top, creating a beautiful sandwich.
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With the remaining frosting (make sure to reserve about 1/2 cup if you plan to pipe a decorative border), spread it generously all over the top and sides of the assembled cake. Use your offset spatula to create a smooth and even coat.
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For an extra aromatic touch and visual appeal, sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon or pumpkin spice over the top of the frosted cake, if desired.
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To create the decorative piping, add an additional 1/2 cup to 1 cup of powdered sugar to the reserved 1/2 cup of frosting. Beat it thoroughly until the frosting becomes noticeably stiffer and holds its shape beautifully. Transfer this stiffer frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star tip (or your favorite decorative tip).
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Along the top edge of the cake, create quick, even “dabs” or small rosettes of frosting by gently squeezing the piping bag and then pulling it away firmly after about 1-2 seconds. Repeat this technique all around the top circumference of the cake. For the bottom edge, simply pipe a straightforward, continuous line of frosting for a clean, finished look.
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Serve your magnificent spice cake. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with warm caramel sundae sauce and garnish with dried apple chips, as desired. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Make This Moist Spice Cake Your New Fall Tradition!
This moist spice cake is truly out of this world delicious, and we sincerely hope you make it a cherished part of your culinary adventures this season. Its warm, comforting flavors and elegant presentation make it a perfect centerpiece for any fall celebration, from a cozy family dinner to a festive Thanksgiving gathering. Each bite is a delightful journey through the tastes of autumn, guaranteed to bring smiles and warmth to everyone at your table. Get ready for compliments!
The true beauty of this recipe lies not only in its exquisite taste but also in its approachability. Even if you consider yourself a novice baker, our clear, step-by-step instructions and simple techniques are designed to ensure a successful and satisfying baking experience. Share the joy of homemade goodness and let the aromatic spices fill your home with the inviting essence of fall. This cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a memorable experience.
Explore More Irresistible Fall Dessert Ideas
The fall season is a bountiful time, offering countless opportunities for indulging in delicious, comforting desserts! If you’re looking to explore other seasonal treats or simply expand your autumn baking repertoire, don’t miss out on these fantastic options from our kitchen:
- Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze: A classic, moist pumpkin bread elevated with a sweet, aromatic maple glaze, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
- Baked Apple Crisp: A quintessential fall dessert featuring tender, spiced baked apples generously topped with a buttery, crunchy oat streusel. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
- Pumpkin Spice Donuts: Start your day or enjoy an afternoon treat with these delightful, soft, and perfectly spiced donuts, reminiscent of your favorite coffee shop classic.
While there are indeed so many wonderful fall dessert options out there, this Layered Spice Cake with Tangy Cream Cheese Frosting definitely holds a special place in our hearts – and it soon will in yours too! We encourage you to bookmark this page and revisit it whenever the craving for a truly exceptional fall cake strikes. Happy baking!
