Warm and Cozy Spice Cake 🍰✨

This Moist and Tender Spice Cake is a delightful treat that fills your kitchen with the comforting aromas of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Perfect for any gathering or simply a cozy night in, this cake is easy to prepare and absolutely scrumptious, ideal for pairing with a cup of tea or coffee! ☕🧁

Ingredients

For the cake

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup milk
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups dark brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Adjust your oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and spices until well combined.

3. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate measuring cup, mix the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.

🍶 Make sure the milk is at room temperature for better mixing. Cold ingredients can cause batter to clump.

4. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In the bowl with the dry ingredients, beat in the softened butter on low speed until the mixture resembles small pebbles. Gradually add 1/3 of the milk mixture and beat until smooth. Then, add the remaining milk mixture in two stages, beating on medium speed until just combined.

5. Add Brown Sugar: Mix in the dark brown sugar until fully incorporated, approximately 30 seconds.

6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until a skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool: Once baked, transfer the pan to a wire rack and let it cool for 5 minutes. Use a knife to carefully loosen the edges, then turn the cake out onto the rack to cool completely.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce. This cake also pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent touch! 🍨

Variations

• Add Nuts: For a delightful crunch, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter.
• Fruity Twist: Mix in some dried cranberries or raisins for a sweet surprise!
• Gluten-Free: Substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, keeping an eye on the texture.
• Spice Level: Adjust the spice levels according to your preference; add more ginger for extra warmth or omit cloves for a milder flavor.

🌟 This cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week. It's even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld! Enjoy your cozy baking!