I created this spice cake recipe as a little homage to the autumn season. It is very nicely spiced, and very easy to make. The hint of lemon in the light frosting creates a lovely counterpoint to the spices. For variation, add chopped nuts and/or raisins to the cake batter. This cake would make a beautiful dessert for parties and holidays in autumn and winter.
Buttermilk Spice Cake with Creamy Lemon Frosting --makes one 8-inch cake, 8-10 servings
For the cake:
1/3 cup butter, melted1 2/3 cups buttermilk
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon baking soda
3 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cardamom
Creamy Lemon Frosting: 1/4 cup butter--softened, 3 ounces cream cheese--softened, 2 cups confectioner's sugar, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1-2 tablespoons milk or water, if needed to make frosting more easily spreadable
Walnut halves/large pieces--optional, for garnish
Pre-heat oven to 200*C/400*F, lightly butter and dust with flour an 8-inch cake pan. Blend the butter and buttermilk. Add the remaining ingredients, blend well. Pour cake batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cake tests done. Cool cake on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before turning the cake out of the pan to continue cooling on the rack. Once cake is cooled frost and decorate as desired. For the Creamy Lemon Frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese until creamy. Add the confectioner's sugar and lemon juice, adding a little milk or water if necessary, then spread on cooled cake.
November is the month of gratitude and Thanksgiving. Around blogland there are a lot of different and fun ways to join in daily on expressing one's gratitude. I'd like to join in on them all! But realistically, right now I can't post daily... But to share a little extra with all of you, join me here each Friday during November and I'll dish up a good recipe--Foodie Friday! It's a busy time of year for many, and food a lovely way to come together and share in the busy days.
This weekend is Father's Day weekend here in Norway. We'll be having Dear Husband's parents over for dinner. It will be good to share our table, enjoy good food and catch up.
With much cooking, cleaning and all sorts happening here, I may not be online much this weekend... So I will look forward to seeing you early next week. Wishing all you dear family & friends a wonderful weekend ahead! Eat, drink and be merry! :o)
P.S. If you've not stopped by lately, all this week at my other place, A Certain Slant of Light, I've been posting photos...little autumnal tributes...
Oh tracy that cake looks soo yummie! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us! Wishing your hubby a happy father's day! Hope you guys have a great celebration and a wonderful weekend! Love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | November 06, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Hi dear Tracy,
What a lovely cake!! I am sure it tastes yummy as a desert during these autumn days.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Lots of love and hugs,
xx
Posted by: Isobel | November 06, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Thank you for this lovely recipe, I'll be baking today!
Posted by: P.K. | November 06, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Your cake looks scrumptious. Mmmm. I might try it as tiny cupcakes for lunchboxes next week.
Have a lovely weekend!
Posted by: dottycookie | November 06, 2009 at 01:43 PM
The cake looks divine - I will be making double the recipe soon for a two layer cake - thank you, Tracy! As the weather cools it's so much more conducive to cooking and baking - I'm looking forward to it. Have a great weekend! See you next week.
Posted by: Golden West | November 06, 2009 at 03:42 PM
What a lovely post and a gorgeous cake, Tracy! My mouth is watering just looking at it. Among the many blessings I'm thankful for this year is finding you and your wonderful blog. Have a great weekend! xoxo
Posted by: Gigi | November 06, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Mmmmmm! Y'know, I've now got THREE apple cake recipes to try out, including yours. And now you put this up!
Posted by: nikkipolani | November 06, 2009 at 03:48 PM
Me, too! Me, too! My mouth is watering.
Happy Fathers Day! Have a nice celebration with your in-laws.
Paz
Posted by: Paz | November 06, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Ohhhhhh my! That does look delicious! You must make hubby very happy with all your delicious goodies you make!
Posted by: tattingchic | November 06, 2009 at 04:01 PM
That cake looks fantastic Tracy! Thanks for sharing the recipe and I'll look forward to what other delights are coming our way :)
Do you cook and celebrate Thanksgiving Day while you are in Norway?
Yes, right now I'm very thankful that I'm going to be able to visit my parents next week - yippee!
Posted by: MrPuffy | November 06, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Your cake looks gorgeous and the recipe sounds great :) I will definitely try it out! Enjoy your family celebration!
Posted by: AsiaJo | November 06, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Happy Foodie Friday!
Love the theme and thank you for sharing the cake recipe!
Have a wonderful weekend and a happy father's day ;)
x
Kyoko
Posted by: Kyoko | November 06, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Mmm...yum yum wish I could help myself to it, Tracy. Have a lovely weekend celebrating with the Father's day. xox
Posted by: cIara | November 06, 2009 at 06:05 PM
Mmmm...that looks delectable. Hooray for foodie Fridays :)
Posted by: Shayla | November 06, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Lovely looking cake Tracy with a consistant texture. :-) I hope you have a lovely Norwegian Father's Day with your in-laws.
Posted by: Melanie Willows | November 06, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Ohh dear...that sure does look good. My mouth is watering..
Have a good weekend...
Posted by: ellen b | November 06, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Tracy, thanks for sharing this recipe. I always enjoy tying other's favourite recipes.
have lotsa of fun this weekend, OK!
Posted by: lucy | November 07, 2009 at 02:00 AM
I baked the cake. we enjoyed it. Thanks! I've linked to your recipe on my blog. Have a great weekend.
http://dillandparsley.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html#2782905772580834301
Posted by: P.K. | November 07, 2009 at 02:44 AM
oh, now this looks delicious!
happy fathers day to your hubby.
xoxo
Posted by: christina | November 07, 2009 at 05:02 AM
Those walnut garnishes look huge! The cake looks delish! Hope you all have a nice Father's Day!
Posted by: Lisa's Chaos | November 07, 2009 at 05:16 AM
That cake looks so scrummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe and I love your idea of Foodie Friday! Looking forward to more tasty recipes from you (& the gorgeous photos accompanying them!) Have a happy weekend celebrating Father's Day (it's odd that we all celebrate that day at different times...)
Posted by: Tracy | November 07, 2009 at 11:00 AM
You have such a way with the camera. That cake looks lucious and the recipe sounds wonderful...especially the lemon icing. Thanks for sharing. Have wonderful time celebrating Father's...enjoy your weekend. Don't work too hard.
Posted by: Lisa Q | November 07, 2009 at 02:32 PM
That looks really tasty Tracy! (Mind you I wouldn't expect it NOT to! Everything you do is of tip top standards!!!) I will put this into my "TO DO" file!! AM hoping to catch you online at some point this weekend for a good gab! Not sure my MSN is working properly though, either that or nobody I know is ever online!!! Can that be possible? I dunno! Love you loads and loads. XXOO
PS Enjoy your company today!!
Posted by: Marie | November 07, 2009 at 03:33 PM
My husband loves a spice cake and yours sounds delicious. Adding lemon to anything just makes it better, don't you think? I will be making this tomorrow morning! Thanks for sharing your recipe, Tracy.
Posted by: cathleen | November 07, 2009 at 04:41 PM
This cake looks fabulous and probably tastes even better! Have a great weekend Tracy! ; )
Posted by: Anali | November 07, 2009 at 06:43 PM