7 Spice Cakes That Fill the House with Fall Aroma

There’s something unforgettable about a spice-filled kitchen in autumn — warm cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and brown sugar floating through the house. These 7 cozy spice cakes deliver that exact feeling, and every recipe includes simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions so anyone can bake them with confidence.

Quick Summary

These 7 spice cake recipes feature warm fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and pumpkin to create desserts that make the house smell amazing. Each cake includes clear ingredients and instructions, uses seasonal spices, and fits Thanksgiving, fall gatherings, and cozy weekend baking. Great for searchers looking for moist spice cakes, autumn baking ideas, and homemade fall desserts.

1. Homemade Spice Cake Recipe

A classic spice cake brings together cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a soft, cozy dessert that smells like fall from the moment it hits the oven.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 pan.
  2. Whisk flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and spices.
  3. Add eggs, buttermilk, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Pour into the pan and bake 28–32 minutes.
  5. Cool and dust with powdered sugar or frosting.

2. Moist Autumn Spice Cake Recipe

This extra-soft version uses oil and buttermilk to keep the crumb incredibly tender and flavorful without drying out.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch of cloves

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F and prep a round cake pan.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl.
  3. Whisk wet ingredients in another.
  4. Mix together gently until combined.
  5. Bake 30–35 minutes and cool before frosting.

3. Spice Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream Recipe

Salted caramel frosting adds rich sweetness and balances warm spices perfectly for a memorable fall dessert.

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup milk
  • ½ cup butter

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup caramel sauce
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Bake cake at 350°F for 30 minutes after mixing wet and dry ingredients.
  2. Beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.
  3. Add caramel and salt.
  4. Frost completely cooled cake.

4. Spice Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A citrus twist brightens warm spices and adds a fresh, tangy finish that feels festive and unexpected.

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp allspice
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup milk
  • ½ cup oil

Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

  1. Bake cake at 350°F for 28–32 minutes.
  2. Beat frosting ingredients until creamy.
  3. Spread over cooled cake and chill slightly.

5. Cinnamon Spice Cake Recipe

Cinnamon takes the lead in this warm, comforting cake that pairs beautifully with whipped cream or simple glaze.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1¼ cups sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup melted butter

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients.
  2. Add wet ingredients and stir until smooth.
  3. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes.
  4. Glaze with cinnamon icing.

6. Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe

Pumpkin purée creates a moist, dense texture while classic pumpkin spice brings that signature fall aroma.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin spice
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ½ cup oil

Instructions

  1. Combine dry ingredients.
  2. Add pumpkin, eggs, and oil.
  3. Bake 32–36 minutes at 350°F.
  4. Frost with cream cheese or keep simple.

7. Gingerbread Latte Cake Recipe

Warm ginger and molasses meet brewed coffee for a cozy café-style cake that tastes like a holiday latte.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup brewed coffee
  • ½ cup butter

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar.
  2. Add eggs and molasses.
  3. Alternate coffee with dry ingredients.
  4. Bake 35–38 minutes at 350°F.