Moist Tender Spice Cake Recipes

SUPER MOIST SPICE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13 inch pan. I always use this glass pan.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and other spices together in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Whisk the oil, brown sugar, applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, and molasses (if using) together in a medium bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Fold in the shredded apple until combined.
• Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you find the top of the cake is browning too quickly in the oven, loosely cover it with aluminum foil.
• Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely. After about 45 minutes, I usually place it in the refrigerator to speed things up.
• In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add 3 confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes. If you want the frosting a little thicker, add the extra 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar (I add it). Spread the frosting on the cooled cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. This helps sets the frosting and makes cutting easier.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.

MOIST TENDER SPICE CAKE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle positon and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour a metal or disposable foil 9 by 13 inch pan. Whisk dry ingredients and spices in a large bowl. Mix milk, eggs and vanilla extract in a 2 cup measuring cup.
• Beat softened butter into dry ingredients first on low, then medium, until mixture forms pebble sized pieces. Add about 1/2 of the milk mixture and beat on low until smooth. Add remaining milk mixture in two stages, beat on medium speed until bater is smooth. Add the sugar; beat until just incorporated about 30 seconds. Pour batter into cake pan.
• Bake until a cake tester or toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Set pan on a wire rack; let cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the pan perimeter and turn cake onto rack, let cool.
• *** Picnic Tip: Can be double wrapped in plastic a day ahead. Return to pan to transport. Also the batter can be divided and baked into two 8" square cake pans. Take one to picnic and freeze one for later.
• *** Gingerbread Variation - To Turn Cake into Gingerbread:.
• * reduce baking powder to 1 tsp; add 1 tsp baking soda.
• * Reduce brown sugar to 1 cup add 1 cup molasses.
• * for spices, use 1 tbls ground ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ground allspice (omit nutmeg and cloves).

SPICE CAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream sugar and butter. Add eggs; beat well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Mix well. Pour into a greased and floured 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until the cake tests done. Cool. For frosting, cream shortening and butter in a bowl. Add vanilla. Gradually beat in sugar. Add milk; beat until light and fluffy. Frost cake.

MOIST, TENDER SPICE CAKE: GINGERBREAD VARIATION

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour a metal or disposable foil 9-by-13-inch pan. Whisk dry ingredients and spices in a large bowl. Mix milk, eggs, molasses and vanilla extract in a 2-cup measuring cup.
• Beat softened butter into dry ingredients, 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 the sugar; beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds. Pour batter into cake pan.
• Bake until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the cake's center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Set pan on a wire rack; let cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the pan perimeter and turn cake onto rack. Let cool.

MOLASSES SPICE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-2-inch round cake pan. Line bottom with parchment, and butter the parchment.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, molasses, ginger, lemon zest, and vanilla.
• Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Beat in flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the sour cream mixture.
• Scrape batter into prepared pan, and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn cake out onto rack, remove parchment, and turn right side up. Let cool completely. (Cake can be wrapped tightly in plastic and refrigerated for up to 1 day.)
• Spread frosting over top of cake. Drizzle with glaze. Serve immediately.