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Super Moist Spice Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Close-up of a moist slice of spice cake layered with rich, creamy frosting.
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A deeply flavored, moist spice cake featuring warm spices, topped with a rich brown butter cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

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  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter for frosting
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
  3. Add the softened butter and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until combined.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Fold in the applesauce gently with a spatula.
  7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. To make the frosting, melt the 1/2 cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams, then brown bits form at the bottom and it smells nutty. Pour the brown butter into a heatproof bowl and let it cool slightly.
  11. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the cooled brown butter and beat until combined.
  12. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more powdered sugar if a stiffer consistency is needed.
  13. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and stack them.

Notes

  • For extra moisture, you can add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter before baking.
  • Ensure your buttermilk is at room temperature before mixing it into the batter for better texture.
  • Brown the butter slowly to prevent burning; watch for the nutty aroma and amber color.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookifyme.com/moist-spice-cake-recipe-brown-butter-frosting/