It can almost be guaranteed that most, if not all, of these ingredients are already in the cupboard. This is a great afternoon tea cake, to serve with coffee - maybe with a little cream and some fresh berries on the side.
Because buckwheat is a very strong flavor, it needs strong spices. The flavor of this cake grows on you; at first I didn't care for it, but then I couldn't resist it! I ran out of cornstarch, so made up the difference with flour, and it turned out fine! Thanks for the recipe! - 23 Jan 2009 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)
I didn't exactly have all the ingredients for this recipe, but even with substitution of maple syrup for molasses, 1/2 cup of whole cornflour+baking powder, five spice in place of all spice, and the additon of orange peel this recipe was forgiving enough to work even with the changes - 15 Mar 2009 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)
Great cake! The batter seemed very thin to me but it baked up perfectly. Spices were perfect. I also paired it with cream cheese frosting; cutting the cake in half to make two layers. It made a pretty, bar shaped cake. Sweetie loved it!!! - 31 Jul 2010 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)