Buttermilk Spice Cake with Whipped Ganache
This Spice Cake is super-tender thanks to the buttermilk in the batter. The cake has incredible flavor from a unique mix of warm spices. The same spices flavor the whipped-ganache icing for a light as a feather finish.
I absolutely love the flavor of this buttermilk spice cake. This recipe is a version of one of my favorite cake flavors from my custom cake business. Although it has been a few years since I closed Cake Art Studio, I’m happy to continue sharing some of my best cake recipes with you.
I tinkered with the original recipe a bit to add buttermilk for extra moisture and tenderness. Check out this post to see how I create the best cake recipes using the “baker’s formula”.
So how is this cake different than the other 1001012029 spice cake recipes in the world? Well, in addition to the super tender texture, an unusual mix of spices sets it apart from the pack.
Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves are what you’ll find in most spice cake recipes. But I think you’ll agree with me that the anise and cardamom in my spice mix create an exotic and addicting flavor.
I use the same mix to flavor the spiced ganache that I use to fill and frost the cake. The whipped ganache is so light and airy that it just melts in your mouth.
Tips for making the best 4 layer Spice Cake ever!
- Use the reverse creaming method for the softest cake crumb.
- Buttermilk tenderizes the cake and adds wonderful flavor.
- Use fresh spices for the best flavor. Old spices won’t “go bad”, but they will loose flavor over time.
- The cake can be baked a day ahead. Wrap the cake and keep it at room temperature until you’re ready to assemble.
- To work further ahead the cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Do not refrigerate the cake as this accelerates the staling process.
- The ganache will whip up best if it is completely cooled but not set.
- Once you whip the ganache you need to use it immediately. The whipped ganache will set up very quickly.
- If you find that the ganache as set up before you wanted it to, you can microwave it briefly to liquify it, then allow it to cool before whipping.
- Spice cake is best served at room temperature.
- The cake can be stored, covered, at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- For longer storage, you can cut, wrap and freeze individual slices for up to 3 months.
Scroll through the photos to see how to whip the spiced ganache frosting:
Check out these other popular layer-cake recipes: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, Luscious Lemon Mousse Cake, Marble Mochaccino Cake, Snow White Coconut Cake, Apple Upside Down Layer Cake, Better Carrot Cake.
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Buttermilk Spice Cake with Whipped Spiced Ganache
Ingredients
Spice Mix
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground anise seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Spice Cake
- 6 large yolks
- 8 oz buttermilk (1 cup)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 9 oz cake flour (2 cups, see note)
- 12 oz granulated sugar (1 ½ cups, divided)
- 4 teaspoons spice mix
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 9 oz unsalted butter (room temperature, cut into 1″ chunks)
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
Spiced Ganache
- 8 oz heavy cream (1 cup)
- 4 teaspoons spice mix
- 16 oz white chocolate (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Line two 8"x3" round cake pans with a round of parchment paper (don't butter the sides of the pan).
Make the spice mix & batter
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the spices and set aside.
- In another small bowl, whisk together 6 large yolks, ½ cup of the buttermilk and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, set aside.
- Sift 9 oz cake flour, 1 ¼ cups of sugar, 4 teaspoons spice mix, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ¾ teaspoon table salt and ¼ teaspoon baking soda into a mixer bowl. Mix on low speed to combine the dry ingredients. Toss 9 oz unsalted butter chunks into the flour mixture.
- Add the reserved ½ cup of buttermilk increase the speed to medium. Mix on medium high for 2 minutes to aerate the batter. Scrape the bowl. Add the yolk/buttermilk mixture in 3 batches, scraping the bowl between each addition.
- In another bowl, whip 3 large egg whites on medium high until they form soft peaks. Turn the mixer to medium low and slowly add the remaining ¼ cup of sugar. Turn the mixer to medium high and whip the whites to full peak. Fold the whites into the base in 2 parts, folding just until there are no streaks of egg whites. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and spread the batter to level.
- Bake until the cake springs back when lightly pressed or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pans. Turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack and cool to room temperature.
Make the Spiced Ganache
- Combine 8 oz heavy cream and 4 teaspoons spice mix in a microwave proof bowl. Heat the cream in 1 minute increments until it is scalding hot (this could also be done on the stove).
- Immediately pour the cream over 16 oz white chocolate (chopped), add 1 tablespoon brandy (optional) and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Gently stir the ganache until it comes together and all the bits of white chocolate are melted. If some of the chocolate doesn't melt, remove ½ cup of the ganache and heat for 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir the heated ganache back into the bowl. Repeat until all the bits of chocolate are melted.
- Chill the ganache until the edges are starting to set and the center is cool but still liquid. (If you let the ganache set completely it won’t whip up as light.)
Assemble the Cake (see note)
- Trim the tops of the cakes so they are level. Split each cake into 2, horizontally, so you have 4 layers. Place the first layer onto the serving platter.
- Whip the ganache until it is light and fluffy with the texture of whipped cream.
- Stack the cake, spreading 1/4 of the ganache between each of the layers. Place the 4th layer on the cake. Ice the top and sides of the cake with the remaining ganache.
- The cake is best served at room temperature. The cake can be stored at room temperature for a day. By the second day the leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen.
Equipment
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Hi Eileen,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes with us! I was wondering if this spiced cake recipe can be made into a churro cake or a cinnamon cake? what do you recommend?
Thank you for your help.
I’m not sure what you mean? Do you mean to use just cinnamon instead of the spice mix? If that’s the question, yes.
@Eileen Gray, Thank you for replying. I have a convention ove , what temperature should it be? Thank you for your help.
I assume you mean convection oven? Reduce by 25 degrees.
I’d love to try this, but I’m am bit confused. What eggs in para 4? There are the six yokes mixed with the buttermilk. The instructions at para 5 say to whip the egg whites. So, is that all six, or are they separated with step 4?
Ooops, I can see how that is confusing. I’ve updated the wording to be more clear. The “eggs” should be the yolk/buttermilk mixture.