Spiced Cake with Frosting (Printable)
Moist cake blended with warm spices and creamy vanilla frosting, ideal for cozy occasions or tea time treats.
# What You Need:
→ Spiced Cake
01 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
11 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Frosting
15 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - 2 tablespoons milk or cream
18 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt
# How To Cook:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
02 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
03 - Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and yogurt or sour cream.
04 - Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a separate bowl.
05 - Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture in three parts, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Stir until just combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the surface, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
09 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake’s top and sides. Slice and serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It's moist and tender without being fussy—the yogurt keeps it from ever tasting dry.
- The spice blend is balanced enough that even non-spice-lovers ask for the recipe.
- You can make it the morning of a gathering and frost it an hour before people arrive.
02 -
- The yogurt makes a huge difference in moisture—skipping it or substituting something else will make the cake noticeably drier and less forgiving.
- Room temperature butter and eggs aren't just suggestions; they actually incorporate smoothly into the batter and create a better texture.
- A toothpick test isn't just folklore—if you pull it out and it has wet batter clinging to it, the cake needs another few minutes.
03 -
- Invest in fresh spices—they're the entire soul of this cake, and old spices will make it taste flat and forgettable.
- If your frosting is too stiff, add cream one tablespoon at a time; if it's too soft, sift in more powdered sugar until you reach the right consistency.