Company Spice Cake Recipe
Introduction
Company Spice Cake is a warm, comforting dessert bursting with cozy spices and moist texture. This classic cake is easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends during chilly evenings or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Icing:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves.
- Step 3: In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until smooth and well combined.
- Step 4: Stir in the applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla into the wet ingredients.
- Step 5: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: While the cake is still warm, prepare the icing by mixing the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Step 8: Pour the icing evenly over the warm cake and let it cool for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips & Variations
- For a richer flavor, try substituting half of the vegetable oil with melted butter.
- Adding chopped nuts or raisins can provide extra texture and sweetness.
- Use a stand mixer or hand mixer for beating wet ingredients to save time and achieve a smoother batter.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, mix ¾ cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Storage
Store the spice cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, warm slices gently in the microwave or oven to soften the icing.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that is suitable for cakes. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture.
Can I use fresh spices instead of ground ones?
Ground spices work best for even distribution and flavor in the cake. Fresh whole spices would need to be ground finely before use, which could be less convenient but can add more intense aroma.
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Company Spice Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings (about 2-inch squares) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A moist and warmly spiced company spice cake, perfect for gatherings or a cozy treat. This classic recipe combines cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves with applesauce and buttermilk for a tender crumb, topped with a simple vanilla glaze.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and grease an 8×8 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices throughout the flour mixture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until smooth and well mixed. Then add the applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly add the wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredient bowl. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Icing: While the cake is baking, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth to create a simple glaze.
- Glaze the Cake: When the cake comes out of the oven and is still warm, pour the icing evenly over the top so it seeps into the cake slightly, adding moisture and sweetness.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for about 20 minutes in the pan. Once cooled, slice and enjoy this flavorful and comforting spice cake.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the cake soft and tender.
- The applesauce adds moisture and reduces the need for extra oil or butter.
- You can substitute buttermilk with milk + a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar if needed.
- For a dairy-free version, replace buttermilk with a plant-based milk and use a suitable egg substitute.
- The glaze can be adjusted in thickness by adding more milk or powdered sugar as desired.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spice cake, cinnamon cake, applesauce cake, vanilla glaze, homemade cake, comfort dessert, classic spice cake
