Description
A moist, tender cake infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, perfect for cozy gatherings, holidays, or anytime you crave a rich and flavorful dessert.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup molasses
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all spices.
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in molasses and vanilla extract.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to wet mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients; mix just until combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
Makes a two-layer 9-inch cake serving about 12 people.
Variations: add chopped crystallized ginger, swap molasses for honey or maple syrup, incorporate grated carrots or apples, or pair with different frostings.
Store covered at room temperature up to 3 days or in fridge up to 5 days; warm slices slightly before serving for best texture.
Freeze unfrosted cake layers tightly wrapped for up to 3 months; thaw before frosting.
Substitute buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk and letting it sit 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
