Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This moist and flavorful Applesauce Cake is perfectly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, and topped with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting. It’s a comforting dessert that combines the natural sweetness of applesauce with warm spices, making it an ideal treat for fall or any cozy occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ 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
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups applesauce (unsweetened, all-natural)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, blend the applesauce, eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Combine Mixtures and Add Nuts: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing. Gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans if using. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Bake the Cake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or have a few moist crumbs attached. Once done, transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand-held electric mixer, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract on medium speed until light, fluffy, and smooth. Lower the mixer speed and gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until fully incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beaters as needed to ensure smooth frosting.
- Frost and Chill: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the fully cooled cake. Because of the cream cheese in the frosting, refrigerate the cake until ready to serve to keep it fresh and safe.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute walnuts or pecans depending on preference or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
- For a slightly healthier twist, use apple cider instead of vegetable oil and reduce sugar by ¼ cup if desired.
- Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- This cake is perfect for serving at holiday gatherings or as a cozy dessert any time of the year.
Keywords: applesauce cake, cinnamon cream cheese frosting, moist cake, spiced dessert, fall desserts
