Spanish Bar Cake

Transport your taste buds back in time with this nostalgic Spanish Bar Cake, a spiced, moist delight that was once a beloved bakery staple. This vintage dessert features a beautifully balanced blend of warm spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves—combined with raisins and a touch of unsweetened applesauce for a tender crumb. Topped with a creamy, vanilla-infused frosting and sliced into convenient bars, this cake is not only easy to prepare but also perfect for sharing. Ideal for holiday gatherings or a cozy afternoon treat, this old-fashioned classic pairs perfectly with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. Ready in just an hour and made with pantry staples, this spiced cake recipe is a must-try for lovers of simple, heartwarming desserts.

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves
• 0.75 cup Vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened applesauce
• 2 pieces Large eggs
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 1 cup Raisins
• 0.5 cup Hot water
• 2 cups Powdered sugar
• 0.25 cup Butter (softened)
• 2 tablespoons Milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (for frosting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Whisk these dry ingredients together until well combined.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, unsweetened applesauce, large eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 4

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.

Step 5

Fold in the raisins and the hot water. The batter will be thick but should come together nicely.

Step 6

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Step 9

To make the frosting, beat together the powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.

Step 10

Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.

Step 11

Slice into bars and serve. Enjoy this spiced classic with a hot cup of coffee or tea!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1607.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5623.8

Total Fat 218.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 56.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 100.9g
Cholesterol 503.6mg	0%
Sodium 3030.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 913.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.9g	0%
Total Sugars 694.9g
Protein 44.0g	0%

Vitamin D 130.4IU	0%
Calcium 411.4mg	0%
Iron 17.8mg	0%
Potassium 1976.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.0%

Protein: 3.0%

Carbs: 63.0%