Caramel Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Toasted Pecans: A Rich and Cozy Delight

This caramel spice cake is the ultimate dessert for anyone who loves the warm flavors of cinnamon, allspice, and pecans paired with the indulgent richness of salted caramel and cream cheese frosting. With two layers of moist, spiced sponge cake, a generous filling of toasted pecans, and a creamy frosting, each bite of this cake brings comfort and decadence. The cake is topped with a beautiful drizzle of caramel pecan sauce that creates a delightful finishing touch, perfect for any special occasion or cozy gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll fall in love with this cake for its perfect combination of flavors and textures. The warm spices of cinnamon and allspice in the moist sponge cake pair beautifully with the buttery pecans and the rich, salted caramel. The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy sweetness that balances out the deeper, more complex flavors of the caramel and spice. What’s more, this cake is easy to adapt with dairy-free or vegan alternatives, so it fits a variety of dietary needs without compromising on flavor or texture.

Perfect for Any Occasion

This caramel spice cake is ideal for holiday gatherings, fall and winter celebrations, or anytime you want a show-stopping dessert to impress your guests. Its rich flavors and stunning appearance make it a perfect centerpiece for special occasions like birthdays, family dinners, or holiday parties. Because it includes classic autumn flavors like cinnamon and pecans, it’s a fantastic option for Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert tables. Plus, the sweet and salty combination makes it irresistible for both kids and adults.

Decoration Tips

For a gorgeous presentation, consider creating caramel drips around the edges of the cake using a spoon, letting the caramel sauce cascade down the sides for a dramatic effect. To elevate the look even further, sprinkle some extra toasted pecans on top and gently press some around the sides of the cake. For added flair, you could also sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon over the top or add a few decorative swirls of cream cheese frosting. Serve the cake on a cake stand for a truly show-stopping dessert display.

Ingredients for Spice Sponge Cake:

• 300ml (1¼ cup) milk (unsweetened almond milk or any milk of choice)
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 70g (⅓ cup) granulated sugar
• 165g (¾ cup) light brown sugar
• 90ml (⅓ cup) neutral oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
• ½ teaspoon allspice powder
• 15g (2 tablespoons) cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2¼ teaspoons baking powder
• 225g (1¾ cups) all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions for Spice Sponge Cake:

1. Preheat the oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans with oil and line the bottoms with baking paper for easy removal.
2. Curdle the milk:
   In a small bowl, mix the milk and white vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes to curdle, creating a homemade buttermilk substitute.
3. Mix the wet ingredients:
   Add the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, neutral oil, and vanilla extract to the curdled milk. Whisk until the sugar is almost dissolved.
4. Prepare the dry ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, combine the cinnamon, allspice, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, flour, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients:
   Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth, lump-free batter forms.
6. Divide and bake:
   Evenly divide the cake batter between the two prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cakes are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Trim the cakes:
   Once cooled, trim the tops of the cakes if necessary to create an even surface for assembly.

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 170g (¾ cup) salted butter, softened (or vegan butter if preferred)
• 170g (¾ cup) cream cheese, room temperature (or dairy-free cream cheese)
• 2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 120g (1 cup) powdered sugar

Instructions for Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Whip the butter and sugar:
   In a mixing bowl, whip the softened butter and powdered sugar together for about 5 minutes using an electric mixer or paddle attachment until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
2. Add the cream cheese:
   Add the cream cheese and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and continue mixing until smooth and creamy.

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

• 82g (¾ cup) toasted pecans, chopped (or more if desired)
• ½ cup salted caramel sauce (for topping and drizzling)

Assembling the Cake:

1. Frost between the layers:
   Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Add 5-6 scoops of the cream cheese frosting and spread evenly. Sprinkle ¼ cup of toasted pecans over the frosting. Drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce.
2. Frost the cake:
   Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting. Smooth the surface with a spatula.
3. Chill the cake:
   Refrigerate the frosted cake for 30 minutes to help set the frosting.
4. Add caramel and pecan topping:
   Mix ½ cup of room temperature salted caramel sauce with the remaining pecans. Pour the caramel pecan mixture over the top of the chilled cake. Use a spoon to create beautiful drips down the sides for a stunning finish.

Enjoy this rich and indulgent caramel spice cake, perfect for any celebration or cozy night in!