I'm not trying to freak y'all out, buuuut... just 15 more days til Christmas! Aaaaah! Who else hasn't even started shopping for presents yet? I honestly don't even know what to buy for most of the people on my list. So, instead of worrying about that, I made you cake. Obvious course of action, I'd say. The first time I ever made spice cake was a few weeks ago for a wedding, and when I tasted the batter, I fell in love. I'm not a huge cinnamon-spice person, and I'd usually choose chocolate over spice any day, but this is seriously amazing! I know that when people think of cake with spice and molasses, they probably expect a plain and boring thing. This is far from it! You start with a strong vanilla base, then add spicy cinnamon and ginger, cloves, and of course, the rich and slightly bitter molasses. This little unassuming dessert is actually hiding a ton of delicious flavor!
I've declared my love for Bundt cakes before, and I have to admit, I'm quite sure it only grows more and more each day. So easy! So pretty! Gah! You might not know this, but I'm probably the laziest person ever when it comes to cooking, and while I DO make wedding cakes occasionally, I'm normally NOT about that time-consuming cake-decorating life. In my normal, everyday life, I don't really put frosting on my cakes very often. Especially when it comes to Bundts, my standard decorating protocol is a little powdered sugar and that's it. Ahhhh, simple things are the best things in life. Also, how absolutely gorgeous is this Christmas Wreath Bundt Cake Pan?! It's by Nordic Ware {just like all the other good and beautiful Bundt pans in the world}, and I scored it for like $5 in clearance in April. I've been waiting since APRIL to make this cake, you guys! I never knew I could be so patient. You can currently buy this same pan online for like $40, but I'd wait til the Spring if I were you 😉 Happy baking!
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼-½ teaspoon ground cloves {more or less to taste}
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup {1½ sticks} unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- extra butter and flour, for pan
- First, preheat the oven to 350F. Butter and flour your Bundt pan very, VERY well, especially if it's one as intricate as the one I used!
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the molasses, vanilla, and spices, and beat until well-incorporated.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in half of these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, and beat well. Add in all of the milk, followed by the other half of the dry ingredients.
- Pour batter into prepared cake pan, and bake for 50-60 minutes, until the cake does not jiggle, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let cake cool to room temperature, then flip out onto a plate and let it finish cooling. When ready to serve, sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy!
{ cake recipe adapted from Right at Home }
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Karen Cunningham says
Where is the cloves in the recipe. You mentioned it in your blurb but no where is it listed in the actual recipe so I didn't put it in. It is now baking in the oven so I hope it turns out well
valentina says
Thank you for your comment, Karen! Total brain fart - I meant to add the cloves into the ingredients list and forgot! I did not have them on hand either last time I made this and it was totally fine. I will go ahead and add them to the recipe but let me know what you think!
Angie says
This cake looks amazing... Will be making it this weekend. But wanted to know what brand tube pan did you use ? I love the shape of your cake !!!
valentina says
Hi Angie! It is a Nordic Ware bundt pan! There is a little link to purchase on Amazon right above the recipe if you are interested 🙂
ColleenB.~Tx. says
If the bundt pan is that large; how much batter does it take?
valentina says
Hi Colleen! The bundt pan I used has a 9 cup capacity. Hope that helps!
ColleenB.~Tx. says
Thank You; & Yes, it does help.
Have an enjoyable day.
Stay safe & stay healthy.
Marshall says
I baked this yesterday as written and it is/was delicious. Especially yummy with morning coffee. The only thing I will change next time is to crush the clove with a motar and pestle, rather than the spice grinder. Thanks for yummy and simple recipe.