Spice Cake

There's something inherently comforting about the aroma of warm spices filling the kitchen, especially when they're combined to create a delightful treat like this Spice Cake. This recipe takes classic ingredients and transforms them into a masterpiece of flavor and texture. With a perfect balance of oat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this spice cake offers a symphony of taste that's bound to captivate your senses.

Homemade Spice Cake

In this post, I am sharing a recipe from the cookbook "Sugar Redefined" by Alyx Kjorven, who is the owner of the blog Sugar by Alyx. Note that I got the book to review and permission to publish the recipe on my blog by Alyx. This is not a paid review and I am sharing my own honest opinion and thoughts.

The book begins by presenting Alyx and her brilliant connection to cakes and baking. As a food blogger who loves to bake, I can easily connect to any cookbook, especially the baking ones, so I was really happy to get the book to review. Alyx has a sweet tooth (like so many of us!) and she watches the Food Network all the time (I mean, who doesn’t?), that’s why I could immediately connect to the cookbook since I am guilty of doing this as well! 🙂

The book continues with some general information about the ingredients most of the recipes in the book use and also the kitchen tools you will need when making the cakes from the book.

Equipment

One of the things you will need for all the recipes from the book is three 6-inch cake pans. To me, this sounds rather small for a cake but if you make the cakes in a bigger pan they will end up lower than the 6 inch cake so you need to decide if you are after height or width when making the cakes in the book. I bought three 6-inch pans especially for this recipe because I wanted to make it as Alyx described and because I can't help but buy more and more tools for the kitchen (LOL).

You will also need piping bags and nozzles to decorate the cake and a serrated knife to trim the top of the cakes and make them flat for a fine look.

The book has 25 cake recipes with many unique flavors that combine fruits, vegetables, spices and herbs. The flavors are very refreshing with new combinations that you just wouldn’t think to add to a cake. I know I was definitely surprised with some of the recipes and their ingredients!

Cream cheese frosting for spice cake

Alyx explains how to assemble a cake and gives a general recipe for swiss buttercream that can be used in any cake. I prefer not to consume raw eggs so in the recipe for the spice cake that I am sharing, the buttercream doesn’t contain raw eggs like the swiss buttercream.

You can mix and match flavors and buttercreams from different cakes in the book, I know that’s what I plan to do! (If you decide to whip up your own combination, be sure to tell me in the comment section what you did and if it turned out to be a success!)

INGREDIENTS

The spice cake main ingredients are oats, cinnamon and nutmeg, along with brown sugar. The cake came out darker, like chocolate cake, but it does not contain any chocolate at all. The spices in this cake fit well to fall season. And I know that I would never think of adding nutmeg to cakes but it actually works and tastes delicious! The cake is moist and full of flavor and you would want one more slice for sure.

Tips to ensure your spice cake turns out perfect

Fresh Spices

Using fresh spices is key to achieving a robust and flavorful cake. Make sure your cinnamon and nutmeg are fresh for the best taste.

Oat Flour Consistency

When making oat flour, a slightly coarse texture is fine, as mentioned in the recipe. Over-processing the oats can make them too fine and affect the cake's texture.

Measuring Flour

When measuring flour, use the spoon-and-level method. Gently spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a flat edge. Avoid packing the flour, as it can lead to a dense cake.

Room Temperature Ingredients

Allow ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter to come to room temperature before mixing. This ensures better incorporation and a smoother batter.

Even Mixing

When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.

Pan Prep

Properly greasing and lining your cake pans prevents sticking and ensures easy release.

Baking Time

Keep a close eye on the cakes as they bake. Different ovens can vary in temperature accuracy. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs when the cakes are done.

Cooling Time

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from breaking apart due to being too fragile while still warm.

Buttercream Texture

When making the buttercream, ensure both the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. This helps achieve a smooth and creamy texture.

Buttercream Consistency

If your buttercream is too soft, refrigerate it for a short while to firm it up slightly before spreading on the cake.

Layering and Frosting

When assembling the cake, make sure the layers are level for a neat presentation. Apply a thin layer of buttercream between the layers first (crumb coat) to lock in any loose crumbs. Then proceed to frost the entire cake.

Decorating

Feel free to get creative with the cake's presentation. You can sprinkle additional cinnamon or nutmeg on top, add chopped nuts, or even decorate with fresh fruit.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Take it out about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to come to a slightly warmer temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Flavor Development

Like many spiced baked goods, this cake's flavor might deepen and improve after resting for a day. If you can resist, consider making it a day ahead of when you plan to serve it.

Other cake recipes to try:

Bake this spice cake today!

Whether you're baking this cake for a special occasion or simply to savor a slice of comfort, each step of the process has been carefully crafted to ensure a delectable outcome. From the moment you create your own oat flour to the final touch of creamy buttercream, the journey promises to be as enjoyable as the destination.

So, preheat that oven, gather your spices, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will envelop your senses in the essence of warmth and coziness. This spice cake isn't just a dessert – it's a journey to comfort and delight with every bite.