Delicious Spice Cake and Eggnog Buttercream
This Delicious Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream combines the warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger with a smooth, creamy eggnog frosting. Perfect for Christmas parties or any holiday celebration, this moist and festive cake will be the star of your dessert table.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet optional
Ingredients
For the Spice Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
For the Eggnog Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 –4 tbsp eggnog adjust for consistency
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg optional
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Fresh cranberries
- Star anise
- Cinnamon sticks
- Rosemary or pine sprigs non-edible
- Walnuts or pecans optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars:
- In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy (3-4 minutes).
- Add eggs and vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients:
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Stir in the applesauce.
- Bake:
- Divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Make the buttercream:
- Beat butter until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, followed by eggnog, vanilla, and nutmeg (if using). Mix until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the cake:
- Place the first cake layer on a plate and spread a layer of buttercream. Repeat with the remaining layers, then frost the sides lightly for a “naked cake” effect.
- Decorate:
- Garnish the top with cranberries, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and sprigs of rosemary. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
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