Description
A moist and flavorful applesauce cake spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, topped with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a cozy dessert or a special occasion treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the large egg thoroughly, then add the unsweetened applesauce and vanilla extract. Mix well to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
- Combine and Bake: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon, mixing until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Once the cake has fully cooled, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into nine servings and enjoy your delicious applesauce cake.
Notes
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative, but the texture may be denser.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives and replace the egg with a flax egg.
- If you prefer a tangier frosting, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture.
