This Spice Cake Recipe is perfect for holiday parties and when you bake it in a sheet pan, it makes sharing even easier. Balanced flavors make this a hit!
A large sheet pan spice cake that can feed a crowd? Um, yes, please! This spice cake recipe is the bee’s knees and even has an amazing frosting that you are going to love.
How many times do you find out last minute about a pot luck happening and have nothing available to throw together or can’t think of a large dish that fits in your budget and time constraints? Trust me, you aren’t alone!
This spice cake recipe can feed a crowd, be pulled together in no time and not ruin your grocery budget. -It’s like the magical unicorn you didn’t know you needed.
How to make this spice cake
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine your flour, sugar, spices and whisk them together.
- Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour your oil, water, vanilla, and vinegar into the well.
- Whisk everything together until just combined.
- Spray half a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper. Then spray again. This helps to get the paper to lay flat and makes clean up easier!
- Pour your cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out into an even layer.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick can come out clean.
How to make the cinnamon frosting
- In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, and maple extract. Whisk until smooth. You can also use a stand mixer or a hand-held electric mixer.
- Add in the spices and the powdered sugar and continue whisking until fluffy.
- Slowly add in your cream as you mix, you may find that you don’t need to use all of it.
- You want the consistency to be thick enough that it holds its shape, but also be smooth.
- After the cake has finished cooling, spread the spice cake frosting evenly over the top of the cake and sprinkle lightly with more cinnamon. Enjoy!
Can I make this in a different pan?
Yes you can! If you don’t want to make a large sheet pan cke, you can also choose between cupcakes, a 9×13 baking dish or cake pans. Just make sure that you adjust the baking time accordingly.
What does spice cake taste like?
It tastes exactly like autumn, in the form of a delicious cake. That being said, it’s pretty close to a carrot cake in flavor, but without the shredded veggies.
Spice Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Spice Cake
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- 1 pinch pepper
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
For the Cream Cheese Buttercream
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 teaspoons maple extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cream or milk
Instructions
For the Spice Cake
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Combine flour, sugar, and spices and whisk together.
- Create a well in the dry ingredients.
- Add oil, water, vinegar, and vanilla to the dry ingredients.
- Whisk until just combined.
- Spray a half sheet pan and line with parchment. Spray again.
- Pour batter into a sheet pan and smooth into an even layer.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
For the Cinnamon Frosting
- Combine cream cheese, butter, and maple extract.
- Whisk until smooth and combined, 1-2 minutes (I use a hand mixer, a kitchen-aid or by hand works too).
- Add spices and powdered sugar.
- Whisk until fluffy, adjusting the consistency with the cream 2-3 minutes. You may not need all of it so add it gradually, 1 teaspoon at a time.
- The consistency of the icing should be smooth but hold its shape.
- After the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon, if desired.
Patty says
Why are there no eggs?
Alli says
This recipe doesn’t use eggs.
Linda says
My question is also why no eggs? Hoping this works as it is in the oven.
Alli says
It’s a variation on an old fashioned cake recipe that has never used eggs. Wacky Cake or sometimes called Depression cake.
Alli says
Love the flavors in this recipe!
Alexandria says
Alli, your photography is beautiful and this spice cake looks SO good! The process shots are so helpful. Thanks for sharing this recipe, I can’t wait to try it!
Alli says
Thank you so much, Alexandria! You are the sweetest.