Spice cake with molasses cream cheese frosting

1 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2cupsAll purpose flour
cupSugar
1teaspoonBaking soda
1teaspoonGround cinnamon
½teaspoonGround allspice
½teaspoonSalt
1cupApple butter
¾cupButtermilk
½cupVegetable oil
3largesEggs
2tablespoonsUnsulfured; (light) molasses
1cupGolden raisins
poundsCream cheese; room temperature
2cupsPowdered sugar
2tablespoonsUnsulfured; (light) molasses
¼cupUnsalted butter; room temperature
; (1/2 stick)
1tablespoonVanilla extract
¼cupFirmly packed dark brown sugar
1tablespoonWhipping cream
cupChopped toasted walnuts

Directions

CAKE

FROSTING

CARAMEL

For Cake: Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Combine first 6 ingredients in large bowl.

Whisk apple butter, buttermilk, oil, eggs, molasses and raisins in medium bowl to blend. Stir apple butter mixture into dry ingredients. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer cakes to racks and cool 20 minutes. Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen cakes. Turn cakes onto parchment-lined racks and cool completely.

For Frosting: Beat cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl until smooth. Add molasses, butter and vanilla and beat just until smooth.

Place 1 cake layer on plate. Spread 1½ cups frosting over. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining frosting decoratively over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate while preparing caramel.

For Caramel: Stir sugar and cream in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Boil and stir 1 minute. Let stand until very thick but still pourable, about 5 minutes.

Drizzle caramel over cake. Press nuts onto sides of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

Serves 12.

Bon Appetit November 1992

Converted by MC_Buster.

Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.