Chocolate Spice Cake
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This Chocolate Spice Cake is the perfect marriage of comfort and indulgence — a rich, moist chocolate cake infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s cozy, aromatic, and just the right amount of sweet. Whether served plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with cream cheese frosting, this cake feels like a warm hug on a chilly afternoon.
My grandmother used to make a chocolate cake that smelled like the holidays. It wasn’t overly sweet, but it had a mysterious warmth that made every bite feel special. Years later, I realized her secret — a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg in the batter. I’ve kept that tradition alive with this recipe, and every time I bake it, my kitchen fills with that same nostalgic scent of love and comfort.
Tips
This cake tastes even better the next day, once the flavours have had time to meld together.
Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a deeper, smoother chocolate flavour.
Make sure your eggs and butter are at room temperature — it helps create a lighter, fluffier crumb.
If you want a bolder spice flavour, increase the cinnamon slightly or add a pinch of ginger for an extra kick.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t your average chocolate cake — it’s warm, rich, and irresistibly aromatic. The blend of spices transforms a classic dessert into something elegant and unforgettable. It’s perfect for cozy gatherings, festive occasions, or whenever you want to impress guests with minimal effort.
Chocolate Spice Cake
Cuisine: Dessert, SweetsDifficulty: Easy10
servings15
minutes35
minutes350
kcalIngredients
1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
½ cup (120 ml) hot water or brewed coffee (enhances chocolate flavour)
Directions
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan or bundt pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a separate large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix just until combined.
- Stir in hot water or coffee until smooth. The batter will be slightly thin — that’s perfect.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar or spread a thin layer of cream cheese frosting on top.
Recipe Video
Key Takeaway
- This Chocolate Spice Cake is proof that a simple twist — just a few warm spices — can transform an ordinary chocolate dessert into something extraordinary. It’s comfort food in its sweetest form, perfect for sharing or savouring all to yourself.
