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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free Baking

    Published: Aug 10, 2020 · Modified: Feb 21, 2021 by Jen Wooster

    Spice Cake (Gluten & Dairy Free)

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    gluten free spice cake recipe for pinterest

    A moist, dense, and rich homemade gluten-free spice cake that is filled with comforting fall spices. It’s quick and easy to make and doesn’t require a mixer.

    The cake is great by itself, with a dusting of sugar, or with a creamy dairy-free frosting. It’s going to be your new favorite winter and holiday cake. Perfect for cold weather days and elegant enough to be served as a Christmas dessert.

    gluten and dairy free spice cake decorated with oranges

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾Ingredients
    • ⏲️Instructions
    • 🎂 Spice Cake Tips
    • 🍰 How to Store Your Cake
    • 🧁 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Gluten-Free Spice Cake
    • ⭐Reviews

    To be fair some might call this a molasses cake. And others will swear it is a gingerbread cake. It certainly is more "spicy" than your average spice cake recipe.

    I think this cake recipe is where the Venn diagram of those three cakes intersect. It the perfect cake to make when you can't decide between a spice cake, molasses cake, and a gingerbread cake.

    🧾Ingredients

    This cake may be rich and intensely flavored but there are no hidden surprises when it comes to the ingredients.

    Dry Ingredients

    • Gluten-free flour blend- Any blend will do as the base of this cake is fairly basic. I prefer making my own blend from the Americas Test Kitchen cookbook or using Pillsbury's all-purpose blend for baking. If you are baking this cake for someone else and don't normally bake gluten-free, I suggest buying a blend like Pillsbury or Bob's Red Mill that already includes the xanthan gum.
    • Xanthan gum- Must be added to all gluten-free baked goods to mimic the structure of gluten.
    • Baking powder and baking soda
    • Spices -We use all ground dried spices in this cake including ginger, cinnamon, and clove.
    • Kosher Salt
    gluten free spice cake ingredients

    Wet Ingredients

    • Blackstrap molasses- This is going to be a more bitter version of molasses, making the cake less sweet overall. If you want a sweeter less exotic cake, try old-fashion molasses. It is delicious either way!
    • Coconut sugar- I typically always bake with coconut sugar not just for its lower glycemic index but also for its earthy flavor. Any granulated sugar works in this recipe. A 1:1 ratio.
    • Dairy-free butter- We use vegan butter from Earth Balance but any dairy-free butter will work. Not dairy-free? Regular unsalted butter can be used in this recipe.
    • Eggs- To make this recipe vegan substitute flax eggs by combining one tablespoon ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. This is for one flax egg so you will need to double for this recipe.
    • Almond milk- Any unsweetened non-dairy milk. Regular milk works in this recipe.
    • Vanilla extract- Or use vanilla powder or vanillas paste.
    • Garnishes- All garnishes are optional. I prefer powdered sugar and our candied orange slices but without the chocolate. Other options include whipped cream, dairy-free cream cheese or buttermilk frosting, ice cream, or even a dark chocolate drizzle.

    ⏲️Instructions

    This spice cake is a basic gluten free cake recipe. Dry ingredients, wet ingredients, combine and rest. But with a twist. We are going warm our wet ingredients to dissolve the sugar in the molasses.

    Start by preheating your oven to 350 F degrees and lightly grease a springform pan. You can use a regular cake pan if you don't have spring form, just be careful when turning it out.

    Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

    Place a medium-sized saucepan over low to medium heat. Add the molasses and sugar, whisking constantly until sugar has melted. Whisk in butter one tablespoon at a time. Remove from heat.

    melted molasses and sugar in pot

    Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla to a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into the warm mixture. Whisking constantly. Slowly pour the warm mixture into the dry ingredients.

    combining wet and dry ingredients

    Whisk until no lumps remain. The batter will be thick. Allow the batter to rest for 15 minutes to hydrate the flours.

    Pour the batter into the springform pan and evenly spread. Bake until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean, about 40 minutes.

    Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the pan. Garnish just before serving with powdered sugar and a candied orange slice.

    cooled spice cake

    🎂 Spice Cake Tips

    • This cake comes together quickly, pre-measure all your ingredients before starting.
    • Let your ingredients, especially your eggs come to room temperature.
    • Don't skip resting the batter. Gluten-free cakes benefit from rehydrating the flours before cooking.
    • Cook 5 minutes after the clean toothpick test for a crumble texture.
    • Allow the cake to completely cool in the pan. This could take a couple of hours.
    • For an extra gingery cake, add ⅓ cup diced candied ginger to the batter.

    🍰 How to Store Your Cake

    This cake is gluten and free and dairy-free. As long as it is not frosted the cake can be kept at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. Cover with cake cloche or loosely cover with plastic wrap.

    🧁 Related Recipes

    Looking for more delicious gluten-free desserts? Here are a few of our favorite dessert recipes!

    Strawberry Lemon Bars

    The best sweet and tart strawberry lemon bars recipe that is gluten and dairy free. A simple shortbread crust with a strawberry lemonade custard topping.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    lemon bars stacked

    Maple Creme Brulee

    A classic French style creme brulee flavored with maple and topped with sweet and salty pecans.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    maple creme brulee

    Gluten-Free Peach Crisp

    The best gluten free peach crisp recipe tusing juicy peaches, almonds, and honey. Easy to make with fresh or frozen peaches.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    gluten free peach crisp on a plate with ice cream

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    gluten free spice cake decorated with candied oranges

    Gluten-Free Spice Cake

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    Soft and moist gluten-free molasses spice cake with hints of ginger, cinnamon, and clove. The perfect balance of sweet and spice. Dairy-free.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Resting Time 15 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 12
    Calories 323 kcal

    Equipment

    • Springform pan
    • Large mixing bowl

    Ingredients
      

    Dry Ingredients

    • 3 cups gluten-free flour blend
    • ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your flour already has
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground clove
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

    Wet Ingredients

    • 1 cup blackstrap molasses*
    • 1 cup coconut sugar or sub white
    • 12 tablespoon vegan or regular butter
    • 2 large eggs, beaten
    • 1 cup almond milk, or other non-dairy milk sub regular milk or any dairy-free variety
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • powdered sugar optional garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Lightly butter a springform pan.
      greased springform pan on a counter
    • Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
      dry ingredients mixed together in white bowl
    • Place a medium-sized saucepan over low to medium heat. Add molasses and sugar. Whisk constantly until sugar has melted. Whisk in butter one tablespoon at a time. Remove from heat.
      whisking butter into warm molasses mixture
    • Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla to a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into the warm mixture. Whisking constantly.
      Adding butter to molasses mixture, off heat
    • Slowly pour the warm mixture into the dry ingredients. Whisk until no lumps remain. The batter will be thick. Rest the batter 15 minutes.
      final better after resting
    • Pour the batter into the springform pan and evenly spread. Bake until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
      batter in pan before baking
    • Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar.
      cooled cake

    Video

    Notes

    1. The cake can be kept at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. Cover with cake cloche or loosely cover with plastic wrap.
    2. *If you generally find blackstrap molasses too bitter use regular old fashioned molasses. It will make for a sweeter cake. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 323kcal | Carbs: 55g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Fiber: 3g
    Keyword gingerbread cake, gluten free cake, molasses cake, spice cake
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

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    • Chocolate Souffle Cake (Flourless)
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Debra says

      December 19, 2022 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      Just wondering what size of springform pan is recommended?
      Great recipe, thx!

      Reply
      • Jen Wooster says

        December 20, 2022 at 11:40 am

        I use a 9 inch pan. But you can use a 10 inch as well.

        Reply
    2. Anna says

      February 21, 2022 at 4:40 am

      5 stars
      I really liked this, will be making it again today x

      Reply
      • Jen Wooster says

        February 21, 2022 at 7:57 am

        5 stars
        Thanks for the review, so glad you enjoyed.

        Reply
    3. Kristy says

      December 22, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      5 stars
      All flavors of Christmas in one delightful cake.

      Reply

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    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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