Description
This recipe yields a very moist, spiced applesauce cake with a tender crumb, topped with a simple cream cheese frosting. It is a traditional, comforting fall dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a small bowl, mix the applesauce, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the applesauce mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting is creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use homemade or high-quality unsweetened applesauce.
- You can substitute 1/4 cup of the milk with sour cream for added richness.
- If you prefer a less sweet topping, reduce the powdered sugar in the frosting by 1/2 cup.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 54
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 75