Moist, flavorful, and tender yet dense homemade spice cake is topped with a generous layer of the silkiest brown butter cream cheese frosting. Make it as a sheet cake, layer cake, cupcakes, or a Bundt cake! Filled with comforting warm spices, this dessert is perfect for cool fall days.
I originally published this recipe in 2016 and have since added new photos and more success tips. I now show you exactly how to turn this cake into a layer cake (see below!).
Chocolate? You’ll forget all about it after one bite of this spice cake. It’s dense, moist, and flavorful enough that frosting isn’t even a requirement. I can’t believe I’m saying this but, when done right, super moist spice cake doesn’t need frosting.
But that obviously won’t stop us from adding it anyway! The most luscious brown butter cream cheese frosting takes this already-amazing spice cake to a whole new level.
One reader, Veronica, commented: “What a hit! I was looking for a fabulous spice cake recipe and this is it!!! I took it to a football party and people could not stop raving about it or eating it! Super moist, super flavorful! ★★★★★“
One reader, Nicqui, commented: “OMG this is the most delicious cake. Super moist and the spice mix is fabulous. I’ve made many spice cakes and they usually turn out dry and dense but this was perfect. ★★★★★“
This Spice Cake Is:
- Soft and moist like banana cake
- Cozy and comforting, perfectly spiced
- Easy to make—no mixer required for the batter
- Delicious without frosting, and even better when it’s topped with smooth + silky brown butter cream cheese frosting
- Versatile—make it as a sheet cake, layer cake, cupcakes, or Bundt cake
- A great make-ahead recipe (it’s even tastier on day 2!)
This spice cake is dense, yet tender and so-very-rich. It has tight crumbs and a moist texture. And more flavor in 1 bite than in an entire cupcake—we’re talking gingerbread-level flavor. It’s certainly one of my favorite fall cake recipes.
Plus, you can see that I used this very batter as the starting point for my favorite apple cake. Such a great base recipe!
Choosing the Right Ingredients
Some key ingredients you need:
- Flour: All-purpose flour serves as the base. You need sturdy all-purpose flour instead of cake flour in this recipe because of the heavy, wet batter.
- Fall Spices + Molasses: For mega spice flavor we use lots of cozy spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. I always add 1 Tablespoon of molasses, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can just leave it out. I loved its extra robust flavor inside the cake, but I did test the cake without it. Still wonderful.
- Oil: Oil guarantees a moist crumb.
- Brown Sugar: We use only brown sugar in this spice cake recipe because you know that’s where the best flavor lies. I prefer dark brown sugar for even deeper flavor.
- Applesauce: Applesauce adds even more moisture.
- Apple: 1 cup of shredded apple adds so much flavor and moisture—it’s what makes this spice cake truly the best I’ve ever tasted. You can also use shredded zucchini or carrot instead, or feel free to skip it.
Plus, baking powder, baking soda, eggs, vanilla, and salt.
Overview: How to Make Spice Cake
This is a very simply cake to prepare—it actually reminds me of pumpkin cake in terms of preparation, ease, taste, and texture. You don’t even need your mixer!
Select the pan you’re using. Today I have both the quarter sheet pan (9×13-inch) and 3-layer cake option pictured. Make sure the pan you’re using is greased. If making a layer cake, line your round pans with parchment paper rounds.
You can make either of these size cakes, or a 2-layer cake, Bundt cake, or cupcakes:
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
We all know that cream cheese frosting is spice cake’s good friend, but did you know that spice cake’s BEST friend happens to be brown butter cream cheese frosting?
I’m not sure why I waited so long to turn regular cream cheese frosting into brown butter cream cheese frosting? This is the same frosting we use on this zucchini cake, and it’s quite possibly the best frosting I’ve ever had—tangy and sweet, but not as tooth-decayingly sweet as American-style buttercream. Creamy, thick, silky, smooth.
Here’s how to make it:
- Brown butter on the stove. I wrote an entire tutorial on how to brown butter so you can learn exactly how it’s done!
- Refrigerate it until solid, then cream it.
- Beat in cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt.
Those specks of nutty toasty buttery goodness bring cream cheese frosting up about 700 notches on the delicious scale.
Time-saving tip: Browning the butter and refrigerating it until solid is a whole extra step, but you can do this before you even start making the cake. By the time the baked cake has cooled, the brown butter will be re-solidified and ready to be whipped into frosting.
That said, if you simply don’t have the time to brown the butter and let it re-solidify, this cake is just as tasty with regular cream cheese frosting, or with the cinnamon cream cheese frosting we use on banana cupcakes. You could even use white chocolate buttercream frosting or garnish each slice with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.
Other Size Spice Cakes
This spice cake is incredibly versatile, which is one of the many things I love about it! There’s enough batter for a layer cake, Bundt cake, or cupcakes.
- 2-Layer 9-inch Cake: Divide the batter equally between two 9-inch cake pans and bake the layers for about 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- 3-Layer 8-inch Cake: Divide the batter equally among three 8-inch cake pans and bake the layers for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Pictured below.) See recipe Note about how to increase the volume of frosting.
- Bundt Cake: This batter fits wonderfully into a 10–12-cup Bundt pan and takes around 55–65 minutes. Start checking around the 50-minute mark, and use a toothpick to test for doneness.
- Cupcakes: This recipe makes about 24 standard-size cupcakes. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18–21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. See recipe Note about how to increase the volume of frosting.
More Recipes Spice Cake Fans Will Love
- Banana Cake
- Carrot Cake
- Zucchini Cake
- Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Harvest Spice Bread
- Apple Cider Donuts
- Hummingbird Cake and Hummingbird Bundt Cake
- Chai Spiced Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake
- Apple Zucchini Bread
Super Moist Spice Cake
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours (includes cooling)
- Yield: serves 12
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Moist, flavorful, and tender yet dense homemade spice cake is topped with a generous layer of the silkiest brown butter cream cheese frosting. Make it as a sheet cake, layer cake, cupcakes, or a Bundt cake! Filled with comforting warm spices, this dessert is perfect for cool fall days.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
- 1 and 3/4 cup (350g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 cup (240g) unsweetened applesauce
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (150g) shredded apple (or shredded carrot/zucchini)
- optional: 1 Tablespoon (21g) unsulphured or dark molasses (not blackstrap; I prefer Grandma’s brand)
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, cut into 4 slices
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 and 1/2 cups (300g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- optional, for garnish: sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan. I always use this glass pan. See recipe Notes for other pan size options.
- Make the cake: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar, applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, and molasses (if using). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Some small lumps are OK. Fold in the shredded apple until combined.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 38–40 minutes. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs. If you find the top of the cake is browning too quickly in the oven, loosely cover it with aluminum foil (I usually do this around the 25-minute mark).
- Remove the cake from the oven and set on a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
- Brown the butter for the frosting: Set out a medium heatproof bowl because you’ll need it at the end of this step. Place the sliced butter in a light-colored skillet or saucepan. A light-colored interior is crucial for determining when the butter begins to brown. Melt the butter over medium heat and stir or whisk constantly. Once melted, the butter will begin to foam. Continue stirring/whisking, keeping a close eye on it. After about 5–7 minutes, the butter will begin browning and you’ll notice lightly browned specks forming at the bottom of the pan. The butter will have a nutty aroma. The color will gradually deepen, from yellow to golden to golden-brown; once it’s a light caramel-brown color, immediately remove from heat and pour into the bowl, including any brown solids that have formed on the bottom of the pan. Cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely and solidify.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the solidified brown butter on high speed until creamy and smooth. Add the cream cheese and beat again until smooth and combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then gradually increase to high speed and beat for 2 minutes.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled cake. If desired, top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. This helps sets the frosting and makes slicing easier.
- Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Prepare cake through step 5. Cover the cake tightly and set at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and bring to room temperature before serving. Continue with step 6.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Box Grater | 9×13-inch Baking Pan | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer) | Light-Colored Skillet | Whisk | Icing Spatula
- Quarter Sheet Pan: I really like to bake quarter sheet cakes in a glass 9×13-inch pan or this metal pan that comes with a lid.
- Can I replace or reduce the oil? Vegetable oil is a great option for this cake. You can replace with a neutral-flavored oil such as avocado oil or canola oil. Feel free to use melted refined coconut oil (refined doesn’t have much of a coconut flavor) and make sure every other ingredient in the cake batter is room temperature, so the oil doesn’t solidify. Do not replace with melted butter because the cake will taste dry. You can replace a small amount of the oil with applesauce if needed, but keep in mind that the cake will begin to taste dry/rubbery the more oil you replace.
- Applesauce: It’s best to use unsweetened applesauce in this recipe—you need a wet ingredient that won’t overpower the other flavors in the cake. Feel free to use mashed banana, pumpkin puree, or canned crushed pineapple instead, but keep in mind that the flavor of the cake will change.
- Shredded Apple: You can skip the shredded apple (or carrot/zucchini) if needed. The cake is plenty moist without it. Or feel free to replace with chopped apple.
- Brown Butter in Frosting: For more information and troubleshooting, see this post on how to brown butter.
- Layer Cake: Grease three 8-inch or two 9-inch round cake pans, line with parchment paper rounds, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for about 25–26 minutes. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The frosting recipe above is enough for a thin layer on a 2-layer cake, but is not enough for a 3 layer cake. Instead, use the brown butter cream cheese frosting recipe/ratios from this banana layer cake so you have enough. Before using, refrigerate the prepared frosting for at least 30 minutes so it’s sturdier and can hold up the layers. Here’s how to assemble a layer cake.
- Bundt Cake: This cake batter will fit into a greased 10-cup or larger Bundt pan. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 55–65 minutes. The baking time varies depending on your oven; keep your eye on the cake after 50 minutes. Feel free to cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil about halfway through to prevent heavy browning on top. Allow the cake to cool in the pan set on a cooling rack for 1 hour, then invert onto a serving plate.
- Cupcakes: Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 19–21 minutes. Yields about 2 dozen. This frosting recipe here is not enough for 2 dozen cupcakes. Instead, use the brown butter cream cheese frosting recipe/ratios from this banana layer cake.
Reader Comments and Reviews
What a great cake. Because I didn’t have enough carrot, apple or zucchini to make a cup, I used 3/4 cup of grated zucchini and 1/4 grated carrot. Turned out to be one pretty cake with the orange streaks in it.
This is the 2nd time we’ve made this in a month. It’s so amazing! First time, we used a shredded carrot, and the 2nd time, we added a yellow zucchini. And used freshly grated nutmeg. Love spice cake and this one is one of the best we’ve eaten!
I’m planning to make this cake for my mom’s birthday this weekend! I was wondering if it’s a good cake to stack and if it bake time will be longer or shorter in 9in round cake tins. Also, do you have any good, simple ideas to decorate a spice with? Excited to make this cake!
Yes! See the recipe notes for how to bake in 2 9-inch pans 🙂
Sally, this recipe is amazing! I will be making this for a second time this weekend. Thank you!
Hi Sally, I love this recipe so much, I tried it last night in a bundt cake pan. It took about 45 minutes to bake perfectly.
This cake is DELICIOUS! Made this on a whim for a friend’s birthday after finding out that their mom had made them spice cake for their birthday growing up and it did not disappoint!
I absolutely love this spice cake recipe. It leaves you with a delicious, moist cake AND it is simple to make. Perfect for a light dessert after a big Thankgiving meal.
I totally recommend this recipe.
Hi Sally,
So, I am going to make your spice cake into a 2 layer cake for Thanksgiving and frost it with a maple buttercream. However, I want to fill it with something pumpkin – maybe a pumpkin ganache. What do you recommend? Thanks.
Hi Sandy! Sounds delicious. I’ve never tried making pumpkin ganache before. My suggestion would be a pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting. You can add pumpkin pie spice to the cream cheese frosting– about 1/2 teaspoon.
This is a recipe that I’ve been searching for. I did a little alteration, I made it into an upside down cake. In a cast iron skillet, melted a stick of butter, added 4/4 cup of brown sugar, and let it simmer until it came to Carmel consistency. Added sliced apples, sprinkled with chopped pecans, then poured your spice cake batter on. When it finished baking, flipped the pan over onto a platter. It looked beautiful and my family went crazy about it. I called it Carmel Apple upside down spice cake. It’s now a holiday tradition! Wonderful cake recipe!
I absolutely love upside-down cakes, so I really want to try your adaption! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you very much for sharing this fantastic recipe! I feel like I got a secret family recipe or something. I made this for my child’s first birthday and skipped the frosting. I served it with whipped cream. He ate every last bite of his piece… and so did everyone else! It didn’t last until morning!
This is so good! I made it exactly as shown other than I only had cinnamon. It was fabulous!
I made the cake for Family Dinner last night after my sister in law asked me to ‘pick up a spice cake.’ I followed the recipe exactly and set the timer for 45 minutes (recipe says 45-50 minutes). It was definitely overbaked, I so wish I had started checking at 35-38 minutes. Still good but would have been lots better if it wasn’t overcooked.
I also didn’t use all the frosting, which was a good call. I think it would have been overwhelming. And now I have some lovely frosting to use on something else!!
Hopefully this helps someone else make their cake perfect!
Hi! Can I leave out the grated apple? And if so, should I increase the amount of applesauce? Thank you!
I don’t recommend a whole extra cup of applesauce– maybe stick to 1/2 cup. OR instead of grated apple, I suggest 1 cup of grated carrot or zucchini.
Hi Sally!
I kinda feel like we’re old friends because I’ve been learning form your recipes for years (you’re awesome).
And now my question: I wonder would it work to swap out the all-purpose flour for cake flour in this recipe (or any spice-cake sort of recipe for that matter)? I notice you do use the cake flour in your spice cupcakes, in which, as you point out, you prefer that lighter texture. But would it work for a cake, or do those heavy ingredients (applesauce, grated apples) require a more robust flour in a cake?
Or, more broadly, is there any other way to achieve that lightness you like in your spice cupcakes in this spice cake? Or are there reasons why that’s not quite possible or desirable?
(I live in the Netherlands and it’s my partner’s birthday in a few weeks. Usually at Dutch birthdays they serve light, airy tarts. But the stubborn American in me will always think that a birthday requires a layer cake. And this is the one my partner wants, along with a salted caramel buttercream! But if there’s a way I can lighten it up a bit I think it will be even better received by the lucky Dutchies I’ll be serving. 🙂 )
Hi Sarah! What a nice message, thank you for the comment! 🙂
This is a dense cake– and you really can’t achieve the lighter texture unless you change up the wet ingredients somehow. Feel free to play around with it as you see fit, but this recipe (as written) does require the heavier texture of all-purpose flour. I hope this helps!
AH-MAZING.
I’m pretty new to baking on a regular basis and found this recipe two weeks ago. Rave reviews from my husband, his coworkers, friends, and myself. 😉 I added cinnamon to the frosting because cinnamon + me = true love forever. I will definitely be making this again!
This was sooo great! Just made it and since I live in Colorado Springs (elevation 6,000), I wanted to let my fellow high altitude peeps know that I cut the baking powder and soda in half and increased the temp of the oven to 360 to adjust for altitude and it was great! Getting a permanent card in my recipe book right now.
My son has been bugging me to make a spice cake for a while now. Since, he is extremely lactose intolerant I was happy to find a recepie that didn’t call for any dairy products. I will admit I was skeptical at first since cakes made from scratch have never been good IMO. This cake was AMAZING!!! I did add more cinnamon then called for after tasting the raw batter (we adore cinnamon) and omitted the molasses as well as the grated apple. My son has requested this cake for his birthday next week!!
So happy you found something for both of you! Hope he has a great birthday 🙂
can you use coconut oil instead of the vegetable oil?
Melted coconut oil works.
Sally, the cake was delicious and super moist. Half was eaten up in a matter of minutes. Thank you!
just thought I’d drop you a big thank you for posting this recipe. I’ve made it a few times now….never the same way twice. It’s very versatile and forgiving. Though I’ve changed it a bit each time I haven’t once iced it. The latest version was with 100% whole wheat flour…..even I was surprised it turned out so well. I wasn’t sure of the age of the baking powder or soda, as I made it in my daughters kitchen. She also only stocks olive oil and coconut oil. (hippies sheesh) so I used coconut oil. added about 1/4 tsp baking powder and soda. All she had was alspice and ginger. I threw in equal amounts of the called for spice….then added some more for good measure. Used two grated apples and 1 1/2 cups apple sauce. I used only about 3 1/2 eggs…they were farm fresh sooooo had to be cleaned a bit of blood spots. But hear it is the next day and I’m sitting here on the guest bed picking up the crumbs off the comforter, enjoying a slice ….a rather big slice with my coffee waiting for everyone to get out of bed.
I should add that I’ve used this recipe for apple upside down cake. After arranging the cooked apples on a pan I’ve poured over 1/2 the batter and then used the other 1/2 in a smaller pan for freezer destination. I’ve added flaked coconut, leftover roasted yam (smushed to a paste added into the apple sauce)… . there was one time I was staring at a small pile of leftover bacon bits. But I didn’t add them. The cake is so much better the next day. Though it rarely lasts past that. Whenever I make it, it’s usually my breakfast …either as an upside down version with ice cream or just plain whipping cream poured over the whole mess. I’ve made it now in three different kitchens when I’ve visited my kids. I just wish the coffee makers ive had to deal with were as forgiving as this cake in the morning.
Made this cake last night for dessert – it’s delicious! So light and moist and it was a hit with everyone from my kids to the grandparents.
Can this be made in a bundt pan? I feel like it would be so pretty.
Absolutely! Will be delicious. I’m unsure of the exact bake time though. Use a toothpick to test for doneness.
I made this cake over the weekend and it was as wonderful as the pictures promised!!!! Thanks once again for the super recipe!!!
edgar