Low Sugar Classic Spice Cake

Total time2 hr

Prep time25 min

Cook time35 min

Warm layers of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice come together in this deeply spiced cake, with buttermilk and a touch of unsweetened applesauce keeping the crumb moist and tender. The batter mixes up rich and fragrant, baking into two full, golden rounds that spring back with a light touch. A smooth cream cheese and butter frosting gets whipped until light and spreadable, then swept generously over each layer and finished with a dusting of cinnamon for an extra hit of warmth. Sliced into wedges, it's the kind of cake that feels cozy and celebratory at once, perfect for a fall gathering or a weekend baking project. It's a genuinely solid choice for anyone following an added sugar free approach, with plenty of classic spice-cake character intact.

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Ingredients

12 servings

For the cake

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
King Arthur Baking Company Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Gold Medal Flour All-Purpose Unbleached - 5 Lb Bob's Red Mill Organic All Purpose Unbleached White Flour - 5 Lb Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Unbleached White Flour - 5 Lb Pillsbury Best Flour All Purpose - 5 Lb
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2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 ½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground allspice
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Brown-sugar replacements vary in moisture, spread, and browning, so follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
½ cup granulated sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Baking behavior varies by blend: some brown faster or stay softer, while others brown less. Follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
½ cup unsweetened applesauce

For the frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Chef's tip
Follow the package's conversion to powdered sugar. In frosting or glaze, add liquid gradually - replacements can absorb it differently.
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

For serving

½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper, then grease the parchment and dust lightly with flour.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice until evenly combined. Set aside.

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