In addition to a triple cream cheesecake smothered with a baked apple topping (!), I made one heck of a phenomenal sky-high cake (if I do say so myself--horn tooted!)
The cake was an aptly-titled duchess* spice cake, fragrant with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. To moisten the cake, I applied a cinnamon-infused simple syrup to each layer. The finishing and, dare I say it, finest touch was a brown sugar cream cheese frosting. How I, an avid lover of cream cheese frosting, have managed to miss this more mellow and flavorful variation is beyond me. It's amazing, and I recommend it (and this particular cake-frosting combination) 100%.
*On an unrelated note, the name of this cake calls to mind a show that I'm happy to say I adored way before it became the thing to do. Matthew and Mary, I'm pulling for you crazy kids!
Cake
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2/3 cup butter
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon syrup:
2 cups water
4 cinnamon sticks
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
Brown sugar cream cheese frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt together.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the sugars and butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the dry ingredients alternating with the buttermilk and mix just until incorporated. Beat in vanilla.
Bake at for 30 to 35 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely, then cut each layer in half horizontally. (It helps tremendously to freeze the layers for about 30 minutes first.)
To make the simple syrup, add water and cinnamon to a small pot and bring to boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, and strain out cinnamon sticks. Bring water back to a boil, add sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.
To make the frosting, beat butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar until smooth. I felt the need to add a little sifted powdered sugar to obtain the proper spreading consistency, but use your own judgment.
To assemble, liberally brush the four sides of exposed cake with the simple syrup. Slather the frosting between the halved and syruped layers (stacking as you go), then frost the sides and top in a decorative fashion. Chill for a bit to let things mingle, then slice and serve!
A splendid cake! Dively spicy and so well decorated.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Gorgeous, gorgeous cake Grace...it is amazing. I'm with you on the brown sugar frosting. I had not had it until a couple of weeks ago and found it so additive!
ReplyDeleteAnd the show with Matthew and Mary also has me addicted. It was a long summer waiting for season 2.
wow! wow! and wow! Grace look delicious and perfect!:)
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious and so prettily decorated!
ReplyDeleteNot only is this cake beyond gorgeous, but it sounds mighty tasty as well!!
ReplyDeleteThat is nothing short of spectacular. And it has all the good spices in it.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous! I love that it has cloves. Too few baked goods have cloves! They smell so good. (And I came late to the Downton Abbey party. But I'm hooked!)
ReplyDeleteWhat an elegant cake! Those swirls are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteIf the inside tastes as good as the outside looks, this must be one terrific cake. I love the decoration.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...Looks really gooood! ^_^
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing about that show - I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThis cake not only looks beautiful but it sounds A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! The frosting sounds yummy too.
Better late than never (a concept I'm particularly drawn to at My Own Sweet Thyme)!
ReplyDeleteThat cake is truly gorgeous and sounds soooo appealing. I would absolutely love a taste. The brown sugar in the frosting is a wonderful thought. Don't know why I've never tried it. I will now!
So going over to the dark sugar side of things with my next batch of frosting. Thanks (giving!) for the wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite impressed with your cake decorating skills! Almost looks too good to eat but don't worry, I would totally be the first one with fork in hand.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Grace, that is a real beauty! The swirls and icing and decoration are totally gorgeous! :D
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE that cake. And I'm a pie girl.
ReplyDeleteCinnamon.Syrup.
ReplyDeleteReally girl? You're killing me.
And by killing me I mean...can't we celebrate Thanksgiving again next week so I can make this?
I'm totally in awe of your decorating talent! Your cake is a beaut and I'm certain got oh's and ah's when presented. Of course, it helps to have all those luscious spice fragrances wafting about.
ReplyDeleteThis cake looks absolutely divine. I love spice cakes and rarely find a good recipe. I will definitely be trying this one out!
ReplyDeleteOoh I love that there's ginger and cloves in this cake. And it's SO pretty, too!
ReplyDeleteSues
You go ahead and toot that horn girl!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat cakes looks as moreish as an episode of Downton Abbey. Well done!
ReplyDeleteA.maz.ing. Period. Well, not period. I love Downton Abbey too (but am still in season 1). And I love the look of this cake. You've got a real gift, Grace!
ReplyDeleteThat is a dressed-up, fancy cake! It sounds like cinnamon heaven. Now, I have to try brown sugar in a cream cheese frosting.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! So pretty, I can forgive you for not posting until now. :) I've never tried the brown sugar cream cheese frosting, but it sounds like the perfect topping for this spicy delight. :)
ReplyDeleteYou did a fabulous job decorating this!
ReplyDeleteThat is one STUNNING cake! I love the idea of soaking the layers with a cinnamon simple syrup, and a brown sugar cream cheese frosting? I would've eaten the whole cake!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful cake!
ReplyDeleteThe frosting sounds just divine. And your decorations are always so pretty, unlike mine, which are nonexistent. In my house, you take your dang frosting and be happy.
ReplyDeleteDear Grace, Your cake is just stunning! Beautiful photography. It sounds divine. Blessings dear one, your friend, Catherine xo
ReplyDeletewell my stars ms grace, that, is one mighty fine looking cake. wow.
ReplyDeleteEs muy hermosa luce romàntica y deliciosa,abrazos hugs,hugs,
ReplyDeleteA delicious and lovely looking cake!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulously festive decorated cake!
ReplyDeleteYou have done well! :)
Anything slathered with cream cheese frosting is worth writing about -- no matter what day or time. ;)
ReplyDeleteA sugar rush is just what I need right now. I am craving some cream cheese frosting.
ReplyDeleteIs it bad that I want to forgo breakfast and make this now? It's gorgeous and packs a few of my favorite flavors!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cake!!!!The cinnamon syrup sounds delicious!
ReplyDeletesounds delicious, I love all of those spices and think that brown sugar cream cheese frosting sounds like such a gorgeous combination. Impressive decorating skills too!
ReplyDeletestunning, brwon sugar frosting..I must try this soon and cinnamon syrup(heaven)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I really like the idea of a brown cream cheese frosting!
ReplyDeleteA cake well deserving of a promotion! I would love a slice with some tea while I watch M&M straighten out their lives.
ReplyDeleteMimi
This sounds positively heavenly! And can I just say that you are a master froster? You swirled it absolutely perfectly; not a single sugar crystal out of place.
ReplyDeleteThis cake looks so delicious and gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat is one magnificent cake for sure! I love the spices you are using here. Happy valentine's day!
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely stunning cake!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentines Day!
Such a beautiful cake Grace! You certainly have a knack for frosting. I love the colours. Sounds like it tasted pretty sensational too.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing cake Grace! It's a beauty to look at and I'm sure it tasted amazing!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty! And brown sugar cream cheese frosting? That sounds divine.
ReplyDeleteI tried to make brown sugar frosting once and it was crunchy. I guess I didn't whip it long enough??? The cake is so pretty and the name is perfect.
ReplyDeleteHello, I came to reciprocate his visit to my kitchen!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful your words, thank you!
This recipe is delicious, I love your blog I'll visit more often! kisses.
The beauty that is this cake leaves me speechless. It is actual perfection and I would happily buy it - name your price worthy :D
ReplyDeleteCheers
Choc Chip Uru