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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and preparing three 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour coating.
- 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.
- Create the wet ingredient foundation by vigorously beating brown sugar, vegetable oil, molasses, and applesauce until thoroughly integrated.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the wet mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then fold in vanilla extract for enhanced depth.
- Gently merge dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing on low speed and carefully scraping bowl sides to maintain uniform consistency.
- Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, then bake for 25-30 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges clean, signaling perfect doneness.
- Allow cake layers to cool completely, creating a stable base for frosting.
- Whip butter until light and airy, then gradually introduce confectioners’ sugar while maintaining smooth texture.
- Enhance buttercream by blending eggnog, nutmeg, and heavy cream, beating until achieving luxurious, fluffy consistency.
- Craft white chocolate ganache by simmering heavy cream and pouring over chocolate chips, stirring until achieving silky smoothness.
- Allow ganache to reach ideal drizzling consistency through brief cooling period.
- Assemble cake by layering eggnog buttercream between cake layers, completely enrobing exterior with remaining frosting.
- Elegantly drizzle white chocolate ganache across cake top, permitting delicate drips down sides.
- 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