Easy Spice Cake Recipe (German Gewürzkuchen)

A white plate with a square of chocolate topped spice cake with a fork.

4.87 from 15 votes

Easy Spice Cake Recipe (German Gewürzkuchen)

This easy Spice Cake Recipe is an old family recipe and makes your house smell amazing! A moist and chocolatey spiced sheet cake made with holiday spices that is easy to make from scratch and tastes even better on the next day.

Prep Time20

Cook Time30

Total Time50

Course: Baking, Dessert

Cuisine: Holiday

Servings:

Author: Julia Foerster

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
1 ½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
4 large eggs room temperature
2 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
1 ¼ cup whole milk
6 oz dark or milk chocolate
2 tablespoons sprinkles

Cups - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C) and grease and flour a 13x9-inch baking pan. Set aside.
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat for 4 minutes at medium-high speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.
Add the eggs, one at a time, to the sugar-butter mixture. Mix for 20 seconds after each addition.
Add orange zest and mix until combined.
With the mixer running on low, add the flour mixture and milk. Mix for 1 minute until combined.
Transfer batter to the prepared baking pan and use a rubber spatula to smooth the top.
Bake for 25-35 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean with only a few crumbs attached.
Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Melt chocolate and spread over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with chocolate and let the chocolate set before serving.

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