As the weather cools down and the leaves turn golden, there’s nothing better than baking a warm, cozy dessert to celebrate the season. Enter Autumn Spiced Cake—a flavorful, moist cake infused with the rich spices of fall: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Each bite is a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, and it’s topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting that elevates it to next-level indulgence. This cake is perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or any occasion where you want to fill your home with the scents and flavors of the season!
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Why You’ll Love This Autumn Spiced Cake
- Full of Fall Flavor: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves gives this cake the perfect autumnal warmth.
- Moist and Tender: The cake is wonderfully moist with a soft crumb, making it ideal for enjoying with a hot drink or as a festive dessert.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a family dinner, a fall party, or just because, this cake is sure to be a hit.
- Topped with Cream Cheese Frosting: The tangy cream cheese frosting complements the spiced cake perfectly, adding richness without overpowering the spices.
What Does This Cake Taste Like?
Imagine the warmth and coziness of a spiced chai or a pumpkin spice latte, but in cake form! The spices blend together beautifully to create a cake that’s rich, comforting, and perfectly balanced. The cream cheese frosting adds a velvety smoothness with a tang that cuts through the sweetness, making each bite simply irresistible. This cake is basically fall on a plate!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (optional, to adjust frosting consistency)
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- 9-inch round cake pans (2 pans)
- Cooling racks
- Spatula for frosting
Possible Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
This cake is versatile and can be easily adjusted based on your preferences:
- Add Fruit: Fold in 1 cup of finely chopped apples or pears for added texture and sweetness.
- Nuts for Crunch: Add ¾ cup of toasted walnuts or pecans to the batter for a crunchy surprise.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the cake gluten-free.
- Spice it Up: If you love bold flavors, feel free to add a pinch of cardamom or allspice for extra warmth.
How to Make Autumn Spiced Cake
Let’s get started! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious cake to enjoy in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Step 2: Bake the Cake
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to reach your desired consistency.
Step 4: Frost and Assemble the Cake
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer.
- Place the second cake layer on top, then frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing it out with a spatula.
- Optionally, dust the top with a little cinnamon for decoration or garnish with chopped nuts.
Step 5: Enjoy!
Slice into your beautifully spiced cake and enjoy the comforting flavors of autumn in every bite!
What to Serve with Autumn Spiced Cake
This cake pairs wonderfully with:
- Hot Apple Cider: The warm, spiced cider complements the flavors of the cake perfectly.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte: Go all-in on fall flavors by pairing this cake with your favorite pumpkin spice drink.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side adds a creamy, cool contrast to the warm spices.
Tips for Making the Best Autumn Spiced Cake
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a dense cake, so mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room-temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese ensures a smooth batter and frosting.
- Buttermilk Alternative: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want to make the cake ahead of time, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the cake layers in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix for a gluten-free version of this cake.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cake layers ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to frost and serve.
Can I use a different frosting?
Definitely! If you prefer, you can use a simple vanilla buttercream or even a spiced buttercream to match the fall flavors.
Conclusion
There you have it—Autumn Spiced Cake, a dessert that’s perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or simply satisfying your seasonal cravings. With its rich spices and creamy frosting, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and a go-to recipe throughout the season.
If you make this cake, don’t forget to leave a comment or share your photos on Pinterest! I’d love to see how it turns out for you.
Nutritional Information (per slice)
- Calories: 410
- Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Protein: 5g
- Sugar: 38g
More Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this Autumn Spiced Cake, be sure to check out these other fall-inspired treats:
- Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake: A beautiful cake packed with warm pumpkin spice flavor.
- Spiced Apple Cake: A moist, apple-filled cake with a touch of cinnamon.
- Maple Pecan Pie Bars: A delicious fall treat with the rich flavor of maple and pecans.
Happy baking! 🍁
