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–+ servings
Beer Spice Cake
This Beer Spice Cake is a wonderfully rich and moist loaf, combining the warm, comforting aromas of cloves, cinnamon, and allspice with the unexpected depth of beer. The addition of chopped dates and nuts provides texture and natural sweetness, making this cake both rustic and elegant. It's a classic example of Depression-era or mid-century baking ingenuity, using pantry staples in creative ways to produce something special. Often served as a tea-time treat or casual dessert, this loaf has a tender crumb and spiced flavor that develops even more the next day.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 2 days 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 341 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup butter (softened)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour (sifted )
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup nuts (chopped, e.g., walnuts or pecans)
  • 1 cup dates (chopped )
  • 1 cup beer (any lager or amber style works well)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

  • Cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the beaten egg and mix well.

Step 2: Sift Dry Ingredients

  • In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3: Prep Nuts and Dates

  • Sprinkle a little of the sifted dry ingredients over the chopped nuts and dates. Toss to coat.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

  • Add the remaining dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the beer, starting and ending with dry ingredients.

Step 5: Add Mix-ins

  • Fold in the floured nuts and dates.

Step 6: Bake

  • Pour the batter into a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan or an 8x8-inch square pan.
  • Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to finish cooling.

Tips

  • Use a dark beer or stout for deeper flavor; lighter beer yields a milder cake.
  • Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for extra warmth.
  • Replace dates with raisins, figs, or dried cherries.
  • Swap nuts for pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
  • Add orange zest for a citrus-spice aroma.
  • Dust the finished cake with powdered sugar instead of frosting.
  • Fold in ½ cup mini chocolate chips for a richer dessert.
  • Bake as muffins (20 to 25 minutes) for individual servings.
  • Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 181mgPotassium: 257mgFiber: 3gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 2mg
Keyword beer cake, cozy desserts, holiday baking, nuts and dates, old-fashioned baking, spice cake, vintage recipe
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