Moist, Tender Spice Cake

3.8
(212)
182 Reviews
28 Photos

This spice cake recipe makes a tender cake that's flavorful enough to serve unadorned! Perfect for a picnic or potluck.

Submitted by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson
Updated on November 13, 2023
28
28
28
28
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
16
Yield:
1 9x13-inch cake
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 16 servings

  • 2 ½ cups bleached all-purpose flour

  • ¼ cup cornstarch

  • 4 teaspoons baking powder

  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice

  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup milk

  • 3 large eggs

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened until easily spreadable

  • 2 cups dark brown sugar

Directions

  1. Adjust the oven rack to the middle position; preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and lightly flour a metal or disposable foil 9x13-inch pan.

  2. Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and salt in a large bowl. Mix milk, eggs, and vanilla extract in a 2-cup measuring cup.

  3. Beat softened butter into flour mixture in a large bowl with an electric mixer, first on low, then medium, until mixture forms pebble-sized pieces. Add about 1/3 of the milk mixture and beat on low until smooth. Add remaining milk mixture in two stages; beat on medium speed until batter is just smooth. Add brown sugar; beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

  4. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool briefly on a wire rack, then run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a serving plate or cooling rack. Let cool completely.

Recipe Tip

The batter can be divided and baked in two 8-inch square cake pans. Take one to a picnic or a potluck; freeze one for later.

289 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

275 Calories
13g Fat
36g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 275
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 8g 39%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 222mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 115mg 9%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 90mg 2%

* 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.