Spiced Vanilla Brandy Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Last night we got 10 inches of snow here in Madison, Wisconsin. Other cities in the state were dumped on with over 2 feet of snow. I didn't much feel like going outside on this blustery day, so I stayed inside and made a new cake. I just played around with my ingredients and made the following spiced vanilla brandy cake. It turned out nice and moist with a seasonal hint of cinnamon - sort of a mesh between a traditional white cake and a coffee cake. Just what I needed for the cold day. I frosted it with my own cream cheese frosting and it really hit the spot. I hope you enjoy it too! Happy baking!

Spiced Vanilla Brandy Cake

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

3 large eggs

¼ cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons vanilla extract

4 tablespoons brandy

¾ cup boiling water

Directions:

1)      In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

2)      In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after adding each egg. Add the oil, vanilla, and brandy and mix together.

3)      Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined.

4)      Add the boiling water and combine until evenly moistened.

5)      Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch pan, or two 8 inch rounds. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes for 9 x 13 or 20 to 25 minutes for rounds, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6)      Leave in pan for 10 minutes to cool, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Transfer to a cake plate or platter for frosting.

Ooey Gooey Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened

1 ¾ cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2-3 tablespoons milk or cream

Directions:

1)      Place cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a small mixing bowl and blend together until just combined.

2)      Add milk one tablespoon at a time. Beat until the mixture is creamy and has reached your desired thickness.

3)      Spread a thin layer of frosting over the top of the cake, then frost up the sides. Spread any remaining frosting on the top of the cake.

Tip: For two 8 inch round cakes, use apple pie filling to fuse the rounds together.