This Spiced Pound Cake is rich, moist, and packed with warm fall spices. Made with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves, every bite has that cozy flavor you want when the weather starts cooling down. A thick homemade cream cheese frosting finishes it off perfectly.
I love a good spice cake during the fall, but this recipe puts a pound cake spin on the classic. Sour cream helps keep the cake moist and tender, while brown sugar adds sweetness and a deeper flavor. The combination of butter and oil gives you plenty of richness without sacrificing moisture.
And while this cake is especially perfect for fall and the holidays, there's really no reason to wait for cooler weather to make it!
Video Tutorial
Why You'll Love This Pound Cake
- Beginner-friendly: Simple recipe that can be whipped up in no time.
- Delicious blend of spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice bring the flavors of fall to every bite.
- Rich pound cake texture: Moist, buttery, and dense, just like a true pound cake should be.
- Classic cream cheese frosting: Tangy and sweet, it's the perfect pairing for spiced cake.
- Step-by-step instructions and video provided to help you along the process!
Recommended tools and equipment
- Bundt Pan (A 12 cup bundt pan is needed for this recipe.)
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Silicone Spatula
- Oven Thermometer
- Cake Keeper
- Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons
- Baker's Joy Baking Spray
Ingredients You'll Need
All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the pound cake.
Dark brown sugar: Adds sweetness, moisture, and a deeper molasses flavor.
Granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar and adds additional sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Adds that rich, buttery flavor we want in a pound cake. Make sure it's at room temperature before you begin.
Vegetable oil: Helps keep the cake moist.
Eggs: You'll need four large room-temperature eggs.
Sour cream: Adds moisture and richness while helping create a tender texture.
Cinnamon: One of the main spices that gives this cake its warm flavor.
Allspice: Adds another layer of warm spice.
Nutmeg: Complements the cinnamon and brown sugar.
Ground cloves: A little goes a long way and gives the cake even more depth.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all of the other flavors.
Baking powder and baking soda: Provide the leavening needed for the cake to rise.
Pro Tips for Success
- Don't overmix the batter - It can make the cake tough. Mix the ingredients until combined.
- Use an oven thermometer - Pound cakes need even baking, so make sure your oven is at its true temperature before placing it in the oven.
- Test for doneness - A toothpick test should come out clean with just a few crumbs.
- Glaze consistency - If your cream cheese frosting is too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time until it drizzles smoothly or reaches your desired consistency.
How to Serve Spiced Pound Cake
This cake is delicious all on its own, but it's especially good with a cup of coffee, hot tea, or warm apple cider.
For the holidays, you can dress it up even more with chopped or candied pecans or a little caramel drizzle.
How to Store Spiced Pound Cake
Refrigerate the pound cake when not serving. Bring the cake to room temperature or warm before serving. For longer storage, you can freeze the cake whole or in individual slices.
Spiced Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe
Equipment
- Bundt Pan (A 12 cup bundt pan is needed for this recipe.)
Ingredients
- For the Pound Cake:
- 2 ½ c all-purpose flour- sifted
- 1 ½ c brown sugar
- ½ c granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs - room temperature
- 1 c sour cream - room temperature
- 1 c vegetable oil
- ½ c unsalted butter - room temperature
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tsps vanilla
- For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese - room temperature
- 3 ½ c powdered sugar
- ½ c unsalted butter - room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- To make the Pound Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices whisking together until combined.
- In another large bowl, add butter, oil and sugars and blend together using a mixer or whisk.
- Add the eggs one at a time mixing until combined.
- Then mix in the sour cream and vanilla until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together until blended.
- Spray a 12-cup bundt pan with baking spray.
- Pour the batter into the bundt pan and bake for 40 minutes to an hour minutes. The cake is done when the toothpick comes out clean/with moist crumbs
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before removing it from the pan.
- Once the cake is cooled completely apply the icing.
- To make the icing:
- Add the cream cheese and butter into a bowl and mix until combined using a stand or hand mixer. Add the vanilla and salt while mixing.
- Add the powdered sugar ½ c to 1 c at a time mixing until combined.
- Add the frosting to the cake as desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Don't overmix the batter - It can make the pound cake tough.
- Use an oven thermometer - Pound cakes need even baking, so make sure your oven runs true to temp.
- Test for doneness - A toothpick or cake tester should come out clean with just a few crumbs.
- Glaze consistency - If your cream cheese frosting is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What spices are in Spiced Pound Cake?
This recipe uses cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Together, they create a warm spice flavor that pairs especially well with brown sugar and cream cheese frosting.
Can I make Spiced Pound Cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the pound cake a day in advance. Let it cool completely, cover it well, refrigerate, and add the cream cheese frosting when you're ready to serve it.
Can I make the cake without the cream cheese frosting?
Absolutely. The cake has plenty of flavor on its own. You can serve it plain, dust it lightly with powdered sugar, or use a simple vanilla glaze instead.
Can I bake this Spiced Pound Cake in loaf pans?
Yes, but you'll need to adjust the baking time based on the size of your loaf pans. Don't rely on the Bundt cake baking time when using a different pan. Start checking the cakes earlier and use a toothpick to determine when they're done.
More Pound Cakes You'll Love
My Gingerbread Pound Cake is another delicious fall pound cake you may love.
Looking for an easy pound cake with delicious apple flavor? Try my Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake.
Ever tried Sweet Potato in a pound cake form? It's an amazing experience and includes fall spice as well! Try my regular or Mile High Version!
Made my recipe? Share it in my Whip it like Butter Community!!
This community is a place to share pound cakes, ask baking questions, swap tips, get inspiration, and help each other become more confident bakers.
Nancy G says
Perfect cake to eat while watching the Cowboys play tonite. It smelled so good baking. Wish my icing looked as pretty as yours!
Ashley Frederick says
Now you're making me want to bake another one lol. I hope you love it Nancy! You got this! Practice makes perfect. Thank you!