Description
This moist and flavorful applesauce cake is perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, then topped with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting. It’s an ideal dessert for fall or any time you crave a comforting treat with the warmth of autumn spices and the natural sweetness of applesauce.
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
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking dish to ensure the cake won’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. This combination of spices offers a warm and aromatic base for your cake.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender crumb in the cake.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg thoroughly, then mix in the unsweetened applesauce and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The applesauce adds moisture and natural sweetness, reducing the need for extra fat.
- Combine Mixtures and Bake: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, signaling the cake is done.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the baking dish to room temperature, which prevents the frosting from melting when applied.
- Make the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice into servings and enjoy this delightful dessert with the perfect balance of spice and sweetness.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
- For extra texture, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter.
- The spices can be adjusted according to personal preference—add more cinnamon or reduce cloves for a milder flavor.
- Store the cake covered in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting; it will keep fresh for up to 3 days.
- This cake freezes well without frosting; thaw completely and then frost before serving.
