Black Gum Tree Spice Cake
A moist spiced cake inspired by the distinctive silhouette of black gum trees, featuring warm cinnamon, cardamom, and a tangy orange glaze. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 10, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Whisk flour, cinnamon, cardamom, and baking powder in a medium bowl until combined.
- Step 2: Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in orange zest and juice until fully incorporated.
- Step 3: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 4: Bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Step 5: Whisk confectioners' sugar and heavy cream until smooth, adding more cream if needed. Drizzle over cooled cake and let set for 30 minutes before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Black Gum Tree Spice Cake take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (25 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Black Gum Tree Spice Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Black Gum Tree Spice Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Black Gum Tree Spice Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Black Gum Tree Spice Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
