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Cozy Spice Cake with Brown Butter

Featured in: Indulgent Desserts and Baked Delights for Every Occasion

This recipe brings together autumn’s best flavors in soft, moist cake layers with rich brown butter cream cheese frosting. Apple sauce and sour cream keep it deliciously tender, while cozy spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves add depth. The browned butter frosting adds a warmly nutty twist to tie everything together. Bake it up in your preferred pan size, and enjoy a dessert that’s great for both fancy occasions and casual treats.
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Updated on Tue, 04 Mar 2025 16:54:19 GMT
Cozy Spice Cake with Brown Butter Pin it
Cozy Spice Cake with Brown Butter | yummygusto.com

Experience a soul-warming spice cake topped with decadent brown butter cream cheese frosting. This time-tested recipe melds aromatic spices with moist, tender cake layers that maintain their perfect texture for several days.

This cherished recipe has become synonymous with autumn gatherings in our home. Its blend of spices and brown butter frosting creates an unforgettable dessert that surpasses most bakery offerings.

Key Ingredients

  • Block cream cheese: Full-fat variety ensures the smoothest frosting
  • Ground spices: Fresh cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom create depth
  • Vegetable oil: Provides lasting moisture without masking spice notes
  • Sour cream: Adds tenderness and activates leavening
  • Light brown sugar: Introduces caramel undertones
  • Pure vanilla: Harmonizes the spice blend

Baking Instructions

Pan Preparation:
Butter two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment, dust with flour.
Dry Mixture:
Combine flour, spices, leaveners and salt thoroughly.
Wet Mixture:
Beat sugar with oil until combined. Add eggs individually. Alternate dry ingredients with sour cream.
Baking:
Divide batter between pans. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until done. Cool completely.

The cardamom in this recipe provides an elegant complexity that sets it apart. While subtle, it's the secret ingredient that sparks curiosity with every bite.

Slice of a Spice Cake with Brown Butter Pin it
Slice of a Spice Cake with Brown Butter | yummygusto.com

Brown Butter Frosting

Browning butter requires attention but elevates the frosting tremendously. The nutty aroma signals when the butter has reached the perfect amber color.

Serving Suggestions

Complement slices with hot chai, fresh coffee, or mulled apple cider during autumn months.

Variations

Mix in diced fresh apple for extra moisture. Toasted pecans add crunch. Non-dairy alternatives work well for a vegan version.

Storage

Keep covered at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate up to one week. Serve at room temperature.

Spice Cake with Brown Butter Recipe Pin it
Spice Cake with Brown Butter Recipe | yummygusto.com

This signature spice cake combines classic flavors with special touches like brown butter frosting. The result is a memorable dessert that brings comfort and elegance to any occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Do I have to include cardamom in this cake?
No, you can skip it and replace it with an extra 1/4 teaspoon each of ginger and cinnamon, or swap in pumpkin spice for a similar flavor profile.
→ How long will the cake stay fresh?
It’ll remain fresh for about 4 days if kept in a sealed container in the fridge.
→ What are the options for changing pan sizes?
You’re free to bake it in three 6-inch pans, two 9-inch pans, or a 9x13-inch pan, just be sure to adjust the baking time as needed.
→ Why does this use apple sauce?
The apple sauce locks in moisture and adds a delicate sweetness that pairs well with the spices.
→ Can I prepare the brown butter ahead of time?
Definitely! You can brown the butter early and chill it in the fridge until it’s ready to use for frosting.

Cozy Spice Cake with Brown Butter

This cozy spice cake packs the perfect mix of autumn spices and is coated with a creamy brown butter frosting that’s full of flavor.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (1 8-inch layer cake)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Spice Cake

01 2 3/4 cups (350g) regular all-purpose flour
02 1 tsp of baking soda
03 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
04 Just a 1/2 tsp of salt
05 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
06 1 tsp ground cardamom
07 1 tsp ground ginger spice
08 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
09 1/4 tsp ground cloves
10 2 cups (380g) tightly packed light brown sugar
11 1 cup (200ml) vegetable oil or canola oil
12 1 cup (235g) unsweetened applesauce
13 4 large eggs, best at room temp
14 3 tsp of pure vanilla extract
15 3/4 cup (200g) sour cream, let it warm to room temperature

→ Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

16 1 cup (220g) butter, unsalted
17 16 oz of cream cheese, soft and at room temp
18 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, thoroughly sifted
19 Just a hint of flavor with 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

→ Decorations

20 Candied nuts (use half a recipe)
21 A few cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350F. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans and line the inside at the bottoms using parchment paper. If you've got them, wrap cake strips around the pans.

Step 02

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, along with the spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves.

Step 03

Stir together brown sugar, oil, and applesauce in a big mixing bowl until smooth. One at a time, add the eggs, and then mix in vanilla.

Step 04

Slowly mix half the dry ingredients into the wet until smooth. Stir in sour cream, followed by the rest of the dry mix. The final batter will be thin.

Step 05

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Each should be filled about 2/3 full. Let them bake for 35–40 minutes, testing with a toothpick to make sure they’re done.

Step 06

As the cakes cook, melt butter on medium heat in a small saucepan until it becomes a deep golden color. Let it chill until spreadable.

Step 07

Blend the cooled brown butter with cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla to achieve the consistency you want.

Step 08

Make sure the cakes are fully cool, then trim the tops and cut each into two thinner layers. Stack them up with frosting between each layer. Coat the whole cake lightly with frosting as a crumb coat. Let it chill for 20-30 minutes, then frost it fully and add any decorations.

Notes

  1. If you prefer, you could bake this using three 6-inch pans or two 9-inch ones. Just adjust how long you bake it.
  2. Don’t have cardamom? No problem—add 1/4 tsp extra cinnamon and 1/4 tsp ginger, or just go with pumpkin pie spice.

Tools You'll Need

  • Two 8-inch round cake pans
  • Parchment paper for lining
  • A stand or hand mixer
  • A variety of mixing bowls
  • A small saucepan
  • Optional cake strips

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cream cheese, sour cream)
  • Contains eggs
  • May include gluten from the flour
  • Tree nuts if candied nuts are used as topping