Anyone can make this super simple two-layer buttermilk spice cake! Or, you can make it even simpler by converting to a 9×13 inch cake. It requires ingredients that you probably already have on hand plus, it’s the absolute perfect little cozy fall treat! There’s a little apple sauce, tangy buttermilk, and cream cheese frosting for the perfect combination of flavors. One of my favorite sweet treats to make in the fall!

Two layer buttermilk spice cake on a black wire rack

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I never really used to be a big fan of spice cake. Just give me allllll of the chocolate. But for some reason, it has really grown on me and now spice cake is one of my favorite fall time desserts! Maybe it’s just me getting old?

I’ve been making this buttermilk spice cake for the past couple of years just to have as a little afternoon treat or post dinner dessert. And it is the perfect combination of fall flavors all wrapped up in a cinnamony, apple sauce spice cake and topped with maple cream cheese frosting!

How to Make Buttermilk Spice Cake

I like cake recipes where I have the option to make either a layer cake or a sheet cake, and this is one of them! Sometimes you just don’t have the patience for decorating all of those layers and you just need the cake NOW!

Here’s what you will need for this cake:

Flour
Sugar
Baking Soda
Salt
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Butter
Buttermilk
Eggs
Apple Sauce
Cream Cheese
Powdered Sugar
Maple Syrup

See? I bet you have most of these ingredients on hand already!

Now, if you want to make a layer cake, you will need two 9-inch round cake pans. I really like these ones! Otherwise, you can use just any old 9×13 inch sheet cake pan if you want to make this easy. I’ve made it both ways and it is so fast either way! You will need to cook your cake a bit longer if it’s in a 9×13 inch pan (I’d do 28-30 minutes, but just watch the cake closely!)

Slice of buttermilk spice cake on a white plate with the whole cake in the background

High Altitude Instructions

This recipe was adapted from one that I found on a blog years ago, but I always struggled to get it just right. I later figured out that it was the high altitude. If you live above 3,000 feet, you’ll want to follow the instructions below so that your cake doesn’t sink in the middle! Keep in mind that this buttermilk spice cake kind of has a crunchy exterior and is fairly dense. So, don’t worry if yours comes out this way. It’s supposed to!

Alright here are the high altitude adjustments that need to be made:

Reduce sugar by at least 2 tbsp (I would do more if you live above 6,000 feet in elevation)
Increase flour by 2 tbsp (more if you live above 6,000 feet in elevation)
Decrease baking soda by 1/2 tsp
Use 3 eggs instead of 2
Increase oven temperature to 365°F
Decrease baking time by 5 minutes

If you follow the instructions above, you should come out with a much more evenly baked cake that rises beautifully in the middle!

Slice of spice cake with thick maple cream cheese frosting on a white plate

If you’re looking for an easy peasy fall cake to bake this week, you need to try this buttermilk spice cake! So yummy and so incredibly simple.

For other cozy fall recipes, check out the ones below!

As always, be sure to tag me in your photos on Instagram if you make my recipe or use #bucketsofyum in your photos! I love to see what you are baking.