Spiced Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream Recipe for Holiday Tables

Spice cake brings warmth and nostalgia to holiday dessert tables with its aromatic blend of comforting flavors.

Generations have cherished this delectable treat as a quintessential seasonal indulgence.

Rich, fragrant spices dance through each tender crumb, creating a sensory experience that transports you to cozy winter gatherings.

Delicate hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove weave magic into every luxurious bite.

The luscious eggnog buttercream revamps this classic confection into an extraordinary celebration of festive cheer.

Layers of moist, spiced cake complement the smooth, creamy frosting with elegant sophistication.

Memories and traditions merge in this irresistible dessert that promises to delight family and friends.

Serving Ideas for Eggnog Spice Cake

• Pair with Spiced Rum Toddy: Warm up a classic spiced rum toddy with hints of cinnamon and clove to complement the cake's rich, warming spices. The hot drink's comforting warmth perfectly matches the cake's festive flavor profile.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake to balance its intense spiciness. The cool, smooth texture creates a delightful contrast with the cake's warm, dense crumb.
• Combine with Caramel Macchiato: Brew a caramel macchiato that echoes the cake's molasses and brown sugar notes. The espresso's depth and caramel sweetness will harmonize beautifully with the cake's complex spice blend.
• Accompany with Candied Pecans: Sprinkle some candied pecans around the plate to add a crunchy texture and nutty undertone that complements the cake's soft buttercream and spice-forward character.

Spice Cake Flavor Variations with a Twist

• Holiday Spice Layer Cake: Transform the recipe by adding crushed gingersnap cookies between cake layers for extra crunch and spice flavor.
• Rum-Infused Winter Cake: Incorporate dark rum into the buttercream and drizzle rum syrup between cake layers for a more adult-friendly version.
• Gingerbread Inspired Cake: Replace some vegetable oil with molasses and increase spice quantities to create a deeper, more intense gingerbread-like profile.
• Nutty Spice Sensation: Fold chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the cake batter and sprinkle crushed nuts on top of the ganache for added texture and warmth.

Why Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream Tastes Like the Holidays

• Celebrate Seasonal Spice Explosion: This cake bursts with warm, cozy holiday flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg that dance perfectly together, creating a festive taste experience that feels like a culinary winter hug.
• Luxurious Layered Texture Delight: The moist, tender cake layers paired with silky smooth eggnog buttercream and decadent white chocolate ganache offer a heavenly combination of rich textures that melt in your mouth with each delightful bite.
• Festive Entertaining Made Simple: Despite looking impressively complex, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, making it an ideal dessert for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or special celebrations without requiring professional baking skills.
• Nostalgic Comfort Meets Elegance: The classic spice cake recipe gets a modern, sophisticated upgrade with the creamy eggnog buttercream and elegant white chocolate drizzle, transforming a traditional treat into a showstopping dessert that feels both familiar and exciting.

Ingredients for Eggnog Buttercream Spice Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the cake's texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for cake rise and lightness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Clove, Black Pepper: Warm winter spices that create depth and complexity in the cake's flavor profile.

• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and rich caramel-like sweetness.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains tender and moist.
• Molasses: Provides deep, complex sweetness and dark color.
• Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural sweetness.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic bakery flavor and aroma.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates smooth, creamy frosting base.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize frosting.
• Eggnog: Adds signature holiday flavor to buttercream.
• Heavy Cream: Helps achieve smooth, spreadable consistency.
• White Chocolate Chips: Creates silky ganache topping.
• Ground Nutmeg: Enhances classic eggnog flavor profile.

Baking Instructions for a Perfect Spice Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab three 8-inch round cake pans and give them a light coating of grease and flour.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Nutmeg
• Ground cloves
• Black pepper

Set this magical spice blend aside.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Brown sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Molasses
• Applesauce

Beat until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each. Stir in vanilla extract for extra warmth.

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure everything is well incorporated.

Step 5: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.

Step 6: Whip Up Eggnog Buttercream

• Confectioners' sugar
• Eggnog
• Nutmeg
• Heavy cream

Beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is silky smooth.

Step 7: Create White Chocolate Ganache

Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until it simmers. Pour over white chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Stir until glossy and smooth. Allow to cool for 10-20 minutes until it reaches a thick but pourable consistency.

Step 8: Assemble the Masterpiece

Layer the cake with eggnog buttercream between each level. Frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream. Drizzle white chocolate ganache over the top, letting it cascade down the sides.

Step 9: Add a Festive Finishing Touch

Optionally, dust the top with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to create a festive winter wonderland on your plate.

Serve and watch your guests’ eyes light up with joy!

Tips for Frosting and Fluffy Cake Texture

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for spices to balance the cake's complex flavor profile without overwhelming the palate.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs, applesauce, and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Don't Overmix: Gently combine dry and wet ingredients to prevent a tough, dense cake by stopping when ingredients are just incorporated.
• Cool Completely: Let cake layers cool entirely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting and sliding off the cake.
• Ganache Consistency: Allow white chocolate ganache to cool and thicken slightly before drizzling for perfect, controlled decoration.

Store and Reheat Eggnog Spice Cake Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Place the cake in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

• Room Temperature: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to let it come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
• Gentle Warming: If desired, warm individual slices briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, being careful not to overheat and dry out the cake.

Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Spice cake with eggnog buttercream delivers holiday warmth and nostalgic comfort. Rich seasonal layers blend classic Christmas flavors, inviting memories of festive gatherings while delighting palates with creamy, spiced perfection you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Spices:

• 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon ground clove
• 0.25 teaspoon pure ground black pepper

Wet and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1.75 cups light brown sugar
• 1.5 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Buttercream Base Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter
• 4.5 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 7 tablespoons eggnog
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.25 cup heavy cream

White Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 0.5 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and preparing three 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour coating.
2. Craft the dry ingredient mixture by whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and warm spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and black pepper into a harmonious blend.
3. Create the wet ingredient foundation by vigorously beating brown sugar, vegetable oil, molasses, and applesauce until thoroughly integrated.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the wet mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then fold in vanilla extract for enhanced depth.
5. Gently merge dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing on low speed and carefully scraping bowl sides to maintain uniform consistency.
6. Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, then bake for 25-30 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges clean, signaling perfect doneness.
7. Allow cake layers to cool completely, creating a stable base for frosting.
8. Whip butter until light and airy, then gradually introduce confectioners’ sugar while maintaining smooth texture.
9. Enhance buttercream by blending eggnog, nutmeg, and heavy cream, beating until achieving luxurious, fluffy consistency.
10. Craft white chocolate ganache by simmering heavy cream and pouring over chocolate chips, stirring until achieving silky smoothness.
11. Allow ganache to reach ideal drizzling consistency through brief cooling period.
12. Assemble cake by layering eggnog buttercream between cake layers, completely enrobing exterior with remaining frosting.
13. Elegantly drizzle white chocolate ganache across cake top, permitting delicate drips down sides.
14. Optional: Dust cake surface with ground cinnamon or nutmeg for festive presentation.

Notes

• Seasonal Showstopper: This spice cake celebrates winter holidays with its warm, aromatic spices and creamy eggnog buttercream.
• Ingredient Precision: Measure ingredients carefully, especially spices, to achieve the perfect balance of flavors in this festive dessert.
• Room Temperature Magic: Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake cake layers in advance and store wrapped at room temperature for up to two days before assembling.
• Ganache Tip: Allow white chocolate ganache to cool slightly before drizzling to get the ideal drip effect on the cake’s surface.
• Storing Secrets: Refrigerate finished cake, but let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 620
• Sugar: 50 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 75 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg