Spice Cake

 Good year round, but I think of this as a perfect fall recipe.   I sometimes 1 teaspoon maple flavoring in place of the 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

SPICE CAKE

(serves 12)

Cake Ingredients:

*2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

*1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1 teaspoon ground ginger

*3/4 teaspoon ground allspice

*1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1 cup vegetable oil

*4 large room temperature eggs

*1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon maple flavoring)

*1/4 cup buttermilk

Frosting Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

*1/2 cup butter, softened

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

*2 cup powered sugar 

Cake Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

~In a large mixing bowl, stir 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar,  1/2 granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

~Stir in 1 cup vegetable oil.

~Stir in 4 eggs, one at a time.

~Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1/4 cup buttermilk until batter is smooth.

~Pour into prepared pan.

~Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick insert4ed in center comes out clean.

~Cook cake completely before frosting.

Frosting Directions:

~In a medium sized mixing bow, beat 1 (8 once) package softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened cream cheese together until light and fluffy.

~Add in 2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.