Magic Spice Cake

Rating: 3.71 stars
42 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 15
  • 4 star values: 14
  • 3 star values: 4
  • 2 star values: 4
  • 1 star values: 5

Won 3 blue ribbons. Frost and fill with favorite icing.

By Deirdre Dee

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Recipe Summary

Servings:
12
Yield:
2 9-inch cake layers
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

12
Original recipe yields 12 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.

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  • Sift together flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, cloves, and cinnamon into a large bowl. Add shortening and buttermilk; beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add eggs, and beat 2 minutes more. Pour batter into prepared pans.

  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until done.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
291 calories; protein 4.4g 9% DV; carbohydrates 36.4g 12% DV; fat 14.5g 22% DV; cholesterol 47.3mg 16% DV; sodium 353mg 14% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (34)

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Most helpful positive review

cleighs
Rating: 4 stars
09/23/2007
This was great but I did make some changes. I didn't have buttermilk, so just used 1 c. milk and 1 TB lemon juice mixed in. Also, I did a full teaspoon of cinnamon and added 1 tsp. ginger, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp. allspice since one reviewer said it was bland. These spices made it taste great. I just threw it all into one large rectangle cake pan instead of two round ones and it turned out fine. Read More
Helpful
(75)

Most helpful critical review

Sherry
Rating: 1 stars
03/08/2011
What a disappointment. It was very dry and the flavor was not like any spice cake I've had before. Will not make again. Read More
Helpful
(8)
42 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 15
  • 4 star values: 14
  • 3 star values: 4
  • 2 star values: 4
  • 1 star values: 5
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
cleighs
Rating: 4 stars
09/23/2007
This was great but I did make some changes. I didn't have buttermilk, so just used 1 c. milk and 1 TB lemon juice mixed in. Also, I did a full teaspoon of cinnamon and added 1 tsp. ginger, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp. allspice since one reviewer said it was bland. These spices made it taste great. I just threw it all into one large rectangle cake pan instead of two round ones and it turned out fine. Read More
Helpful
(75)
HOODWINK23
Rating: 5 stars
05/03/2008
This is my favorite spice cake recipe. I've made it 4 times now and this time was my first making it at a high altitude (4500 feet) and with only very slight adjustments it was still very moist! I changed from shortening to butter because I like butter better and I also added 1/4 tsp allspice and an extra 1/4 tsp cinnamon for a spicier cake because it just doesn't smell spicy enough for me the way the recipe calls for. For anyone at high altitudes the only adjustments I made were I removed 1 tbsp sugar and 1/8 tsp of baking powder added 1 tbsp of 2% milk 1 tbsp butter and 1 extra egg and it came out moist and didn't rise too early. It looked and tasted great with a simple cream cheese frosting. Read More
Helpful
(53)
Mrs. Nix
Rating: 4 stars
01/28/2008
There is a popular-brand cinnamon swirl cake mix that we can't get anymore where we live and I was looking for a recipe here at Allrecipes.com to replace it. This recipe turned out to be nothing like what I was looking for but I am SO glad I found it. Making the recipe exactly as written the end product is a very dense cake with the texture of a good spice bread. Unlike most of the spice cakes I've had it is not overpoweringly spicy nor is it tremendously sweet. It's a refreshingly different kind of cake and we all really enjoyed it. Some notes/suggestions: (1) I recommend making this in a single-layer rectangular pan. (2) When making this cake batter it is very important that you beat the cake AS STATED for the times stated in the recipe. Your cake will not have the intended texture if you take shortcuts (like hand mixing or mixing for less time than called for) or if you overbeat the batter after the eggs have been added. So...follow the instructions. (3) If you don't like cloves substitute ginger or allspice etc. Just DON'T substitute all of them. Pick ONE as a substitute and go with that. Adding a tsp of three other flavors is going to overpower this cake and make it unfit to eat in my opinion. This is a great recipe. Thanks so much for sharing it. Read More
Helpful
(49)
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Regina Hitchcock
Rating: 5 stars
06/30/2010
One look at the instructions for this recipe made me doubt the fluffiness so I made it using the same ingredients but as a usual cake. Beat shortening(or butter) with sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk and beat for another minute or two before pouring into prepared pans. Came out truly magical! It could use a little more spice perhaps some allspice or more cinnamon. Otherwise absolutely delicious! Read More
Helpful
(29)
ANNADAISY5
Rating: 4 stars
11/09/2003
Delicious and easy to make! I personally subbed egg nog for the buttermilk to make a holiday cake. I also make a basic white frosting and flavored it with egg nog. Great Recipe! Lends itself well to modification. Read More
Helpful
(16)
Sherry
Rating: 1 stars
03/08/2011
What a disappointment. It was very dry and the flavor was not like any spice cake I've had before. Will not make again. Read More
Helpful
(8)
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pstreadwell
Rating: 5 stars
08/26/2005
I made this cake for a groom's cake at a friend's wedding. It was a huge hit. Everyone there wanted the recipe. Read More
Helpful
(8)
wyomingnan
Rating: 2 stars
03/15/2011
Whew - I just wanted a quick moist spice cake that didn't really even need a frosting. I just made the recipe as stated with a few adjustments for high altitude. I was confused because it said original recipe - 1 - 9 inch pan but called for 2. The batter seemed really stiff and I decided to check them at 1/2 cooking time-they were already done! The cakes were really crumbly & slightly dry and bland so I make the orange glaze from another recipe adding some almond and rum extract & poked holes in both layers to soak it up. I also added chopped pecans on both layers. I think it's OK but not fantastic. Maybe it'll be better in morning after soaking a bit in fridge. A cream cheese or whip cream frosting would probably be good too. It's just a lot of tweaks for what should be a simple spice cake. Read More
Helpful
(7)
SAMSAH
Rating: 5 stars
04/21/2003
This is one of the best spice cake recipes I have found moist and delicious. My family is always requesting this one. Read More
Helpful
(7)
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