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4.59 from 17 votes
The Traditional Irish Spice Cake is cut into generous squares and served on a silver platter. They have delectably moist, fine crumb and are dusted with powdered sugar. One slice is served on a floral dessert plate, paired with a cup of tea on the side.
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Traditional Irish Spice Cake Recipe
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 

Embrace the heritage of Ireland with our Traditional Irish Spice Cake Recipe, a heartfelt tribute to Ireland's rich flavors and traditions.

Servings: 9 people
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • ½ cup (4 fl oz/120 ml) buttermilk
  • ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs , at room temperature
  • ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup (2 oz/57 g) dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups (6¼ oz/177 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • Powdered sugar , for serving (optional)
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line an 8-inch (20-cm) square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, applesauce, oil, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract.

  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.

  4. Add the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until smooth. Pour the batter into your prepared pan.

  5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

  6. Serve simply as is or with a dusting of powdered sugar. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It also freezes really well for up to 8 weeks.

Recipe Notes
  • Room-Temperature Ingredients: When making cakes, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before you begin.
  • Simple Serving: This spice cake doesn’t need much more than a cup of tea, but you can make it fancy with a half recipe of Cream Cheese Frosting or a drizzle of Apple Cider Caramel Sauce or Spiced Rum Caramel Sauce.
  • Dessert Pairings: It’s also excellent with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream or custard sauce.
  • Double the Recipe: This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch (23×33-cm) pan to feed a crowd. Increase the baking time to 45–50 minutes.