Gluten Free Spice Cake

Total time2 hr

Prep time25 min

Cook time35 min

This warmly spiced layer cake leans on cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves for that cozy, deeply spiced flavor, with applesauce and oil keeping the crumb moist and tender. The batter comes together in two bowls with no fuss, and a quick flax-and-water mixture helps bind everything before it bakes into two soft, springy rounds. Once cooled, the layers get stacked and swathed in a tangy cream cheese frosting, beaten light and fluffy with brown sugar and vanilla for a frosting that's smooth enough to swirl into pretty peaks. It slices into tender, fragrant layers with just the right balance of sweetness and warmth. This one is a great fit for a gluten free dessert table, especially if you're after something that still feels like a classic spice cake through and through.

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Ingredients

12 servings

For the cake

2 tbsp ground flaxseed
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Flaxseed Meal - 16 Oz Carrington Farms Organic Milled Flax Seed Paks Gluten Free Spectrum Essentials Cold Milled Organic Premium Ground Flaxseed - 24 oz Barlean's Organic Forti-Flax Premium Ground Flaxseed Carrington Farms Flax Seeds Milled Gluten Free Organic (Ground)
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6 tbsp water
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Chef's tip
Choose a gluten-free baking blend labeled 1:1 or cup-for-cup and use the same amount. Almond and coconut flour won't work the same way.
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup neutral oil (such as canola oil or vegetable oil)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

For the frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2
In a small bowl, stir together the ground flaxseed and 6 tbsp water until combined. Set aside for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens to a gel-like consistency.

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