Fall Themed Birthday Cake
This cozy fall birthday cake brings together warm spices, tender texture, and autumn charm. Perfect for October celebrations, it’s a moist and flavorful dessert that fills the house with the scent of cinnamon and love.
Equipment
- Two 9-inch Cake Pans
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
- 3 eggs large
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- caramel drizzle
- sugared cranberries
- chopped pecans or walnuts
- fondant fall leaves optional decorative topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in applesauce (or pumpkin) and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk. Stir just until combined.
- Divide the batter between pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla. Mix until fluffy.
- Frost the cooled cake, stacking layers with frosting between. Decorate with caramel drizzle, nuts, or sugared cranberries as desired.
Notes
Try different variations like apple cider cake, pumpkin spice cake, or mini bundt cakes. Always let cake cool before frosting to avoid melting. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.