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Super Moist Classic Spice Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Close-up of a moist slice of spice cake layered and topped with thick cream cheese frosting.
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Bake a very moist spice cake using classic warm spices and top it with a rich brown butter cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

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  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, browned
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
  3. Add the softened butter and oil to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on medium speed until the batter is smooth. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. To make the frosting, brown the 1/2 cup of butter by melting it in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until brown bits form at the bottom and it smells nutty. Let it cool slightly.
  10. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
  11. Beat in the cooled brown butter until fully incorporated.
  12. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until the frosting is light and creamy.
  13. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the layers and the top of the cake.

Notes

  • Browning the butter for the frosting adds a deep, nutty flavor that complements the spices.
  • Using both oil and butter in the cake batter helps achieve maximum moisture.
  • You can substitute buttermilk for sour cream if you prefer a slightly tangier flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/super-moist-spice-cake-amazing-frosting-trick/