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Spice Cake Recipe with Brown Butter Frosting Easy Fall Dessert

Spice Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Spice Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting is an irresistible dessert bursting with warm fall spices and topped with a rich, nutty frosting. The soft, moist layers of spiced cake pair beautifully with the caramel-like notes of browned butter and tangy cream cheese — a perfect treat for cozy gatherings or festive celebrations.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Holiday Baking
Calories: 620
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2.75 cups (350g) All-purpose flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons Baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger
  • 0.5 teaspoon Nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon Cloves
  • 2 cups (380g) Light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup (200ml) Vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 cup (235g) Unsweetened apple sauce
  • 4 large Eggs, room temperature
  • 3 teaspoons Vanilla extract
  • 0.75 cup (200g) Sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 cup (220g) Unsalted butter
  • 16 oz Cream cheese, room temperature
  • 5 cups (600g) Powdered sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Cinnamon sticks (for decoration)
  • Candied nuts (for decoration)

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Prepare Cake Pans
    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Wrap with damp cake strips if available. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
  3. Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
    In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, oil, and apple sauce until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
  4. Step 4: Combine Batter
    Mix in half of the dry ingredients, followed by the sour cream, and then the remaining dry ingredients. The batter should be smooth and fairly thin. Divide evenly between pans.
  5. Step 5: Bake
    Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. Step 6: Brown the Butter
    In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and cook until it bubbles, foams, and turns amber brown. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Pour into a shallow dish and chill until firm but spreadable.
  7. Step 7: Make Frosting
    Once butter is ready, beat it with cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Chill briefly if frosting is too soft.
  8. Step 8: Assemble the Cake
    Level the cakes and optionally slice each into two layers for four total. Spread frosting between layers, then cover the entire cake with a thin crumb coat. Chill for 30 minutes.
  9. Step 9: Frost and Decorate
    Apply the remaining frosting evenly over the cake. Decorate with cinnamon sticks, candied nuts, or crumbled cake pieces. Chill until ready to serve.

Notes

For a richer flavor, make the brown butter a day ahead so it develops deeper nutty notes. Ensure the butter and cream cheese are both soft for the smoothest frosting. This cake tastes even better the next day!