I can't think of a better way to lead up to the impending holidays than to spice it up a little with some desserts made with those old favourites: cinnamon, all spice and nutmeg. Sort of like the Three Wise Men of the dessert recipe spices, these spices lend their fragrant warmth to so many delicacies, it was tough to choose just one.

When Zarah came to me back in November with her proposal for the third installment of Sugar High Fridays I was thrilled. Thrilled that she had picked such a great theme, and thrilled that she was so excited about hosting my creation, the most recent spin-off idea of Alberto's original Is My Blog Burning events. I had thought my brain child might have been a flop when there were no volunteers banging down my door after the first event took place and the round-up had been posted. I proceeded with the idea and hosted the second event last month myself. That's when the volunteers came pouring in.

Zarah, being the first to ask, was awarded the first chance. She took it and ran with it, deciding almost immediately to use spices as her theme du jour. Not wanting to simply use any spice, she choose to narrow the baking field to just cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice...three more harmonious spices I can not imagine...though she did mention the idea that our desserts could be made with one, two or all three.

I have to admit here that I almost forgot about this event today. I had thought about it a bit when Zarah first proposed it, but since then not at all. I tired myself out hosting a huge internet cookie swap for the last installment of IMBB, I've been working hard at my job, I've been a bit stressed planning my upcoming wedding and I have been swallowed up by Christmas stuff these days. I completely missed out on participating in Owen of Tomatilla's creation, Paper Chef, never got a chance to respond to Kate of The Accidental Hedonist's email in regards to the Floggie Awards ideas (by the way, check out the 2004 Floggie (Food Blog) Awards, nominate your favourite blogs and make sure you vote when the time comes!) and I have been a bit negligent in my baking and cooking fiascoes here at home.

BUT: I managed to pull together this rather delicious christmas spice cake this morning that made my apartment sing with the tantalizing smells of the holidays. Thanks to Zarah for hosting the event and be sure to enjoy all the spicy entries!

Oh...and apparently I slept through most of today; the official Sugar High Friday ingredients were CARDAMOM, allspice and nutmeg D'oh! Oh well, she can't kick ME out, right??!

Recipe