Traditional Spice Cake

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 40 min
🍽 Serves: 12
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Spice cake is like a warm hug on a chilly day. Its blend of aromatic spices fills your kitchen with an irresistible scent, making it perfect for family gatherings or a cozy evening treat. This traditional recipe is straightforward yet results in a cake that's anything but ordinary.

Ingredients for Traditional Spice Cake

All-purpose flour serves as the foundation, giving the cake structure. Granulated sugar and brown sugar provide sweetness, with brown sugar adding a hint of molasses flavor. Unsalted butter brings richness and a tender crumb, while buttermilk adds tanginess and moisture. Eggs bind everything together and contribute to the cake's rise. The combination of baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger creates a warm, spicy aroma. Finally, a touch of salt enhances all the flavors, and vanilla extract rounds it out with a subtle sweetness.

Tips & Tricks

  • Ensure your butter is softened, not melted, for the best creaming results.
  • To intensify the spice flavor, let the batter sit for 10 minutes before baking.
  • If you’re out of buttermilk, make a quick substitute by mixing one cup of milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.

Serving Suggestions

This spice cake pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Consider serving it warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat. It also complements a hot cup of chai or spiced tea, enhancing the cake's warm flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake stays moist for several days. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I freeze this spice cake?
Absolutely! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While you can substitute margarine, butter provides a richer flavor and better texture.

Traditional Spice Cake Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan well, so the cake releases easily later. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt. This ensures they're evenly distributed throughout the batter.

In a larger bowl, cream the butter and both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a tender cake, so don't rush it. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to maintain that airy texture. Stir in the vanilla extract, ensuring it's fully incorporated.

Now, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently to avoid overworking the batter, which could make the cake dense. Once combined, pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack to prevent it from becoming soggy. Once cooled, it's ready to serve and enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect balance of spices for a flavorful bite in every forkful.
  • Moist and tender texture thanks to the buttermilk and butter.
  • Simple ingredients that are likely already in your pantry.
  • Quick prep time with a rewarding outcome.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack before serving.

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