Description
This Spiced Raisin Cake with Vanilla Frosting is a delightful treat combining warm spices, moist cake texture, and a creamy vanilla frosting. Infused with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice, and studded with chopped raisins and optional walnuts, this cake offers a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Ideal for gatherings or festive occasions, the cake is topped with a smooth vanilla frosting that adds a sweet finishing touch and decorative fork lines for a charming presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup raisins, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Vanilla Frosting
- 2 cups icing sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3–4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a cake pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour in the melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Stir gently and mix just until all ingredients are combined to avoid overmixing.
- Incorporate raisins and walnuts: Fold in the finely chopped raisins and optional chopped walnuts carefully to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
- Prepare for baking: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake the cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan to ensure it sets and is easier to frost.
- Prepare the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the icing sugar and vanilla extract and continue to beat until smooth.
- Adjust frosting consistency: Add milk one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency suitable for icing the cake.
- Slice the cake: Once the cake is fully cooled, carefully slice it horizontally into two even halves to prepare for frosting the interior.
- Apply frosting between layers: Spread a generous layer of the vanilla frosting over the bottom half of the cake.
- Assemble the cake: Place the top half of the cake over the frosted bottom layer, then spread the remaining frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake for full coverage.
- Add decorative lines: Using the back of a fork, gently run it across the top frosting in straight, even lines to create a characteristic, decorative pattern.
Notes
- Chopping the raisins finely ensures they distribute evenly and provide a better texture throughout the cake.
- Walnuts are optional but add a nice crunch and complement the warm spices nicely.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- The frosting consistency can be adjusted with milk to achieve your preferred thickness for spreading.
- This cake stores well covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a more intense spice flavor, you can increase the cinnamon by 1/2 teaspoon.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
