Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels like a warm hug, I’m excited to share my Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe with you. This cake is everything you want from a spice cake—moist, tender, and loaded with festive spices—paired with a luscious brown butter cream cheese frosting that takes it to the next level. When I first tried this combo, I was hooked instantly, and my family goes crazy for it every single time. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll understand why it’s become such a favorite in my kitchen!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe plays a crucial role—from the spices that bring the cozy warmth to the sour cream and apple sauce that keep it unbelievably moist. Here’s a quick overview, along with tips on picking the best versions.

• All-purpose flour: Use fresh flour for a light texture; sift it if you want an extra tender crumb.
• Baking powder & baking soda: Make sure they’re fresh to get that perfect rise.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and brighten flavors.
• Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves: Freshly ground is ideal, but good quality pre-ground spices work well too.
• Light brown sugar: Adds that subtle molasses flavor—don’t swap for dark brown sugar as it changes the cake’s taste.
• Vegetable or canola oil: Neutral oils keep the spice profile front and center.
• Unsweetened apple sauce: This is my secret weapon for moistness without extra fat.
• Large eggs: Room temperature eggs help the batter come together smoothly.
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla adds sweetness and rounds out the spices.
• Sour cream: Adds tang and that incredible moist crumb; don’t substitute with yogurt for best results.
• Unsalted butter: For browning before making the frosting—takes the flavor up a notch.
• Cream cheese: Room temperature so it blends smoothly into the brown butter frosting.
• Powdered sugar: For that silky, creamy frosting texture.
• Cinnamon sticks & candied nuts: Optional garnishes that add charm and crunch.

Variations

I love tweaking this recipe to suit different moods or occasions—and you should definitely make it your own! Whether you’re looking to cut down on sugar or add a fresh twist, there’s a way to customize this spice cake that works beautifully.

• Gluten-Free: I once swapped the flour for a gluten-free blend with excellent results—just be sure to use one with xanthan gum for structure.
• Vegan Adaptation: You can replace eggs with flax eggs and use vegan cream cheese to make this cake vegan-friendly. It’s a bit denser but still delicious.
• Spice Mix Adjustments: I sometimes add a bit more cardamom or a sprinkle of allspice depending on vibe—it brightens up the cake wonderfully.
• Toppings: Toasted coconut or chopped crystallized ginger make fun toppings if candied nuts aren’t your thing.

How to Make Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large bowl. This step ensures all those amazing cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and clove flavors are evenly distributed. I like to give the dry mix a quick sift to avoid any clumps and help aerate the flour for a fluffy cake. This is one step you don’t want to rush—it sets the foundation for the perfect crumb.

Step 2: Brown the Butter for the Frosting

While your dry ingredients rest, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Watch it closely! It will start to foam, then brown bits will form at the bottom, and you’ll smell a nutty aroma—that’s your cue to take it off the heat. Not only does brown butter add an irresistible depth of flavor to the frosting, it also makes it silky smooth. Transfer it to a bowl and let it cool while you prepare the cake batter.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk together light brown sugar, oil, and unsweetened apple sauce until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream—both at room temperature—to make the batter silky and light. The apple sauce is my secret ingredient for keeping the cake moist and tender without extra fat.

Step 4: Mix Dry and Wet Together

Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet bowl, folding gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough, so stop as soon as you see no more streaks of flour. It’s okay if the batter looks a little lumpy—that’s part of the charm!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Divide the batter evenly between two 8-inch greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. I usually check around 35 minutes to avoid overbaking. Let the cakes rest in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto wire racks to cool completely—frosting warm cake is a guaranteed mess!

Step 6: Make Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the room temperature cream cheese with the cooled brown butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, continuing to mix until you reach your desired frosting consistency. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract. This frosting is delectably silky with a slight nutty hint from the brown butter that pairs wonderfully with the spices in the cake.

Step 7: Assemble and Frost

Place one cake layer on your serving plate, spread a generous layer of frosting, then top with the second layer. Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake. If you want to get fancy, you can swirl the frosting slightly with a spatula. For a final touch, sprinkle candied nuts on top and tuck a couple of cinnamon sticks in for charm.

How to Serve Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I actually love finishing this cake with a handful of candied nuts because their sweet crunch contrasts beautifully with the smooth frosting. Cinnamon sticks tucked neatly on the side add a festive vibe and subtle aroma. Sometimes I toss a few fresh orange zest curls on top to brighten things up visually and in flavor—it’s a personal favorite touch!

Side Dishes

This cake pairs amazingly well with simple vanilla bean ice cream or a scoop of whipped cream lightly spiced with cinnamon. For drinks, hot chai tea or freshly brewed coffee are perfect companions that complement the warm spices without overwhelming the palate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes assemble the cake as a layered trifle using crumbled cake, dollops of frosting, and layers of spiced poached pears or apple compote. It’s festive and elegant but only requires a bit of extra prep. Another fun idea is to pipe the frosting decoratively and add edible gold leaf accents for a fancy celebration treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After frosting, I store leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 4 days, and honestly, it tastes even better after resting overnight because the flavors meld. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both the cake layers pre-frosting and the fully assembled frosted cake. For layers, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and then foil before freezing—they freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Once you’re ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and frost fresh. For the whole cake, it’s best frozen without garnishes and also wrapped securely. Thaw in the fridge to keep the frosting stable.

Reheating

If you want a warm slice, I recommend taking a piece and microwaving it for 15-20 seconds. The frosting softens slightly, and the cake tastes like it just came out of the oven. I usually enjoy it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm cup of tea.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe truly feels like a warm, delicious hug on a plate. I love how the spices and brown butter frosting come together to create something so comforting but still special enough for celebrations. Whether you make it for the holidays, a birthday, or just because, I’m confident it’ll become a go-to in your baking repertoire like it did in mine. So grab your apron, fire up the oven, and enjoy every bite—you’re going to nail it!

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