Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that your Spice Cake will bake evenly.
Prepare an 8x8-inch baking pan by spraying it with a flour-and-oil nonstick spray. Line the bottom with a square of parchment paper, then spray the top of the parchment. This will prevent any sticking and help you achieve that perfect cake.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. Whisk them together until well combined and set aside. This step is crucial for ensuring that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the cake.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and dark brown sugar until it’s well combined. You want the mixture to be smooth, so take your time with this step.
Add the vegetable oil to the egg mixture and whisk until it’s fully incorporated. The oil is what keeps the cake moist and tender, so don’t skip this!
Next, add the applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla to the mixture. Whisk everything together until well blended. This will create a lovely, smooth batter.
With a silicone spatula, slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the batter is smooth and combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a denser cake.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. It should look glossy and inviting!
Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean when the cake is done.
Once baked, cool the cake completely on a wire rack. This step is important for the frosting to adhere nicely.
When you're ready to frost the cooled cake, combine cream cheese and butter in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until smooth.
Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until well mixed, then increase the mixer to high speed and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Finally, frost the top of the cake with the cream cheese frosting. This adds a rich and creamy layer that perfectly complements the spiced cake below.
