A Layered Spice Cake is a classic dessert that’s full of warm, comforting flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Moist and tender, it’s perfect for any occasion, from a cozy night in to a special celebration. With its versatility, you can serve it with a variety of toppings and frostings or enjoy it as-is for a delicious, homemade treat.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, spice cake is a dessert that’s easy to make and sure to please.

Tips for baking a Layered Spice Cake

If you’re looking to take your spice cake to the next level, consider baking a layered spice cake. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Prepare your pans: Make sure to grease and flour your cake pans to prevent sticking. You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper for easier release.
Level your cakes: After baking your cakes, use a serrated knife to level the tops if necessary. This will ensure that your layers stack evenly and give you a flat surface for frosting.
Chill your layers: Before frosting your cake, it’s a good idea to chill your layers in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This will make them easier to handle and less likely to crumble or break.
Frost between layers: When assembling your cake, spread a layer of frosting between each layer. This will help hold the layers together and create a more even surface for your final frosting.
Use a crumb coat: For a professional-looking cake, apply a thin layer of frosting over the entire cake (including the sides) before adding your final layer of frosting. This crumb coat will help prevent crumbs from showing through and give you a smoother finish.
Decorate with flair: Once your cake is frosted, add some decorative touches like chopped nuts, caramel drizzle, or fresh fruit to really make it shine.

Why A Layered Spice Cake is an Excellent Choice for Your Next Dessert?

A layered spice cake is an excellent choice for your next dessert for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it is a classic dessert that is loved by many, with its warm, comforting spices and moist, tender crumb.
Secondly, the layered presentation adds an element of sophistication and elegance to the desser. The layered structure allows for more opportunities to add frosting, fillings, and other toppings, making the cake even more delicious and indulgent.
Finally, a layered spice cake can be customized to suit individual tastes and preferences, with different frosting flavors, decorations, or even adding in nuts or fruits to the layers. Overall, layered cakes are a versatile, delicious, and impressive desserts that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Cooking Time

Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes

Servings

6 servings

Equipment

2 (8-inch) round cake tins

Ingredients

For the Sponge

2 1/2 cups (340 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons (6 g) ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (3 g) ground ginger
1/2 teaspoons (1.5 g) nutmeg, freshly grounded is always best
1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon (0.6 g) ground cardamom
4 large eggs
1 cup (200 g) white granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100 g) dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened applesauce
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup almonds, chopped

For the Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)

4 oz. (115 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup (125 g) powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of salt

How to make a Layered Spice Cake

Preheat your oven to 350ºF/180ºC and grease two 8-inch round baking tins.
To a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom. Reserve.
In a medium bowl, add the eggs, white and brown sugars, and whisk. Add the oil and whisk to combine. Add applesauce, buttermilk, vanilla extract and mix well.
Pour wet mixture over dried ingredients and mix just to combine with a rubber spatula making subtle movements, until all flour is combined and smooth.
Pour half of the batter into each baking tin. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center. Let it cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter with a whisk or an electric mixer over medium speed until creamy, for 1 minute. Next, add 1 cup of powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt and continue to beat for 30 seconds until creamy.
Place the bottom sponge in a serving plate or cake stand, spread half of the fronting.
Place the other sponge on top and spread the remaining frosting over the cake, sprinkle chopped almonds and enjoy.

Storage

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

More delicious Italian Sweet Recipes

Here are some ideas of more delicious recipes if you like spice cake:

FAQs

Why is it called spice cake?

Spice cake is called as such because it contains a variety of warm, aromatic spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and sometimes cloves or allspice.

Spice cake VS Carrot Cake

Spice cake and carrot cake both have warm spices and cream cheese frosting, but carrot cake includes grated carrots, nuts, and raisins, resulting in a denser texture and richer, earthier flavor, while spice cake is lighter and more delicate in flavor.

Can I mix two cake mixes together when baking a layered cake?

Yes, you can mix two cake mixes together when baking a layered cake. Here are some important factors to consider:

Make sure that the two cake mixes are compatible in terms of flavor and texture.
Follow the instructions on the cake mix boxes for the amount of liquid, eggs, and oil needed for each mix.
Both layers are baked for the same amount of time and at the same temperature. Check the cakes frequently towards the end of the baking time to ensure they are not over or under-baked.

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