Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Moist and Flavorful: The applesauce keeps the cake moist, while the blend of spices adds depth and warmth.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this cake is accessible for both novice and experienced bakers.
Versatile: Perfect for family gatherings, celebrations, or as a delightful treat with your afternoon tea.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup vegetable oil
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
3 ½ cups powdered sugar

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the cake from sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix. If you are using nuts, fold them in at this point.
Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Once baked, transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Frosting:
- Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand-held electric mixer, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, and vanilla extract together until light, fluffy, and smooth. Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Continue beating until well combined, scraping down the bowl and beaters as needed.
Frost the Cake:
- Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.

Servings and Timing

Servings: This recipe yields approximately 12 servings.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes

Variations

Gluten-Free Applesauce Cake: Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities.
Vegan Applesauce Cake: Substitute the eggs with flax eggs and use a plant-based oil to make the cake vegan-friendly.
Spiced Applesauce Cake: Add a teaspoon of ground cloves or allspice for an extra layer of warmth and complexity.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Due to the cream cheese frosting, store the cake in the refrigerator. Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer individual slices to an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
Shelf Life: The cake will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days. For the best taste, consume it within the first couple of days.
Freezing: If you’d like to store the cake for longer, you can freeze it. Wrap the entire cake or individual slices in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe bag. The cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer the cake to the refrigerator overnight, and let it come to room temperature before serving.
Reheating: If you prefer warm cake, you can reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will slightly warm the cake without melting the frosting.

FAQs

How can I ensure my applesauce cake turns out moist?

Using unsweetened applesauce helps maintain the cake’s moisture. Additionally, avoid over-mixing the batter to prevent a dense texture.

Can I use store-bought applesauce?

Yes, store-bought unsweetened applesauce works perfectly fine for this recipe.

Is it necessary to use nuts in the cake?

Nuts are optional. If you prefer a nut-free cake, you can omit them without affecting the overall flavor.

Applesauce Cake

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This Applesauce Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert made with the natural sweetness of applesauce and a blend of warm spices. Topped with a creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to special celebrations.

Author: Ava
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix. If you’re using nuts, fold them in at this point.
Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting:
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, and vanilla extract together until light, fluffy, and smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Frost the Cake:
- Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.

Notes

Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour to make this cake gluten-free.
Vegan Version: Substitute the eggs with flax eggs and use a plant-based oil to make the cake vegan-friendly.
Extra Spice: For an additional layer of warmth, try adding 1 tsp ground cloves or allspice to the batter.