Kim's Buttermilk Spice Cake

5.0
(22)

This spice cake was inspired by a recipe from one of my mom's old cookbooks. It was my great-grandpa's favorite cake, and I used to make it for him all the time. It's a simple cake that's not too sweet, and has a rather strong spice flavor. Err on the side of underbaking the cake rather than overbaking, or it'll be dry.

Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Additional Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
1 9x13-inch cake
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

  • ½ cup white sugar

  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk, at room temperature

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 2 ½ cups confectioners' sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • teaspoon salt

  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

  2. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl until well combined.

  3. Cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract. Add in half of the flour mixture, and stir until just combined. Pour in buttermilk, and mix until just combined. Add in remaining flour mixture and mix until just combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.

  4. Bake in the preheated oven until the middle of the cake springs back lightly when touched, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.

  5. For the frosting, cream butter in a large bowl until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat until thoroughly combined. Mix in confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, and beat until smooth after each addition. Mix in vanilla and salt. Add in heavy cream and beat until frosting is smooth, about 2 minutes. Frost cooled cake as desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

587 Calories
32g Fat
71g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 587
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 20g 98%
Cholesterol 131mg 44%
Sodium 499mg 22%
Total Carbohydrate 71g 26%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 54g
Protein 7g 13%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 123mg 9%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 145mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.