Speculaas Spice Cake Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons speculaas spice mix (or a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and cloves)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Special equipment needed:
- 9-inch cake pan
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and speculaas spice mix.

3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk and vanilla extract, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.

7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

8. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.


Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 35-40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Temperature:
350°F
Serving size:
8-10 servings

Nutritional information:
Calories: 330
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 280mg
Carbohydrates: 43g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 28g
Protein: 5g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Almond flour can be substituted with hazelnut flour or all-purpose flour.
- Buttermilk can be substituted with whole milk or yogurt.
- Speculaas spice mix can be substituted with pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.

Variations:
- Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts or dried fruit to the batter.
- Top the cake with a cream cheese frosting or a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Use the batter to make muffins or cupcakes instead of a cake.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the butter is softened before beating it with the sugar.
- Don't overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to avoid a tough cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing it to avoid crumbling.

Storage instructions:
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes.

Presentation ideas:
Serve the cake on a cake stand or plate and dust it with powdered sugar.

Garnishes:
Top the cake with whipped cream, fresh berries, or chopped nuts.

Pairings:
Serve the cake with a cup of coffee or tea.

Suggested side dishes:
Serve the cake with a side of fresh fruit or a scoop of ice cream.

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the cake is too dry, it may have been overbaked or the batter may have been too thick. Try reducing the baking time or adding more buttermilk to the batter.
- If the cake is too dense, it may have been overmixed or the baking powder may have expired. Try mixing the batter less or using fresh baking powder.

Food safety advice:
Make sure to use fresh ingredients and wash your hands before handling food.

Food history:
Speculaas spice mix is a traditional Dutch blend of spices used in cookies and cakes, especially during the holiday season.

Flavor profiles:
The speculaas spice mix adds warm and cozy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and cloves to the cake.

Serving suggestions:
Serve the cake as a dessert or a sweet snack.

Related Categories

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Region: Dutch

Taste: Spicy, Sweet, Rich, Nutty, Cinnamon, Caramel, Cinnamon-Y, Caramel-Y