Description

Discover the science of moisture with this unique spice cake that uses condensed tomato soup to achieve a perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. Topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting, this recipe is a masterclass in balancing unexpected ingredients for a sophisticated dessert.

Ingredients

10 oz (295g) condensed tomato soup
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground allspice
12 oz (340g) full-fat block cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease two 8-inch round cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper for a clean release.
In a small bowl, combine the condensed tomato soup with the baking soda and stir well; the mixture will puff up and lighten as the reaction occurs.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract.
Mix the prepared tomato soup mixture into the butter and egg emulsion until combined.
Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice directly into the wet ingredients and gently fold together until no flour streaks remain.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, then frost with a whipped mixture of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.

Notes

To ensure a professional finish, always use block-style cream cheese rather than tub varieties to maintain frosting stability. If you are baking in a particularly humid environment, sifting the dry ingredients twice can help prevent any spice clumps from affecting the delicate crumb structure.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American