Step 1: Preparing the Cake Batter

🌡️ Preheat the Oven and Prepare Cake Pans

• - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• - Line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and lightly coat with baking spray to prevent sticking.

🍫 Mix Dry Ingredients

• - In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 4 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground cloves, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, a pinch of ground cardamom, a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional), 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp salt.

🥄 Incorporate Wet Ingredients

• - Stir in ⅔ cup vegetable oil until dry ingredients are coated.
• - Add 2 large eggs, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, and ½ cup unsulphured molasses; mix until batter is smooth.

🥛 Add Buttermilk and Coffee

• - Incorporate 1 cup buttermilk into the batter until well combined.
• - Gently stir in ¾ cup hot brewed coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor.

🍰 Divide and Bake

• - Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared pans.
• - Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Step 2: Cooling and Frosting the Cake

🌡️ Cool the Cake Layers

• - Allow the cake layers to cool slightly in the pans before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Preparing the Cream Cheese Frosting

🧀 Beat Butter and Cream Cheese

• - In a separate bowl, beat 12 oz of softened full-fat cream cheese and ¾ cup of softened salted butter until smooth and creamy.

🌿 Add Vanilla and Gradually Mix in Sugar

• - Incorporate 2 tsp of pure vanilla extract into the cream cheese and butter mixture, mixing well.
• - Gradually add 5 ¼ cups of sifted powdered sugar while mixing on low until fully combined.
• - Turn the mixing speed to high and continue to mix for another 2 minutes.

Step 4: Frosting the Cake

🎂 Spread the Frosting

• - Spread the prepared cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled cake layers.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

• 🍽️ Serve your homemade Chocolate Spice Cake to delight your taste buds and those of your lucky guests. Enjoy the unique fusion of chocolate and spices in each delicious bite! 🍫🍰🎉