Description
Discover the perfect Sweet and Spiced Applesauce Cake recipe! Learn how to create this moist, flavorful treat that combines the warmth of spices with apple sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (355 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon (10 ml) s baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) ground allspice
- 2 cups (500 g) unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large (100 g) eggs
- ¾ cup (146 g) neutral-flavored oil
- ⅔ cup (142 g) granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup (142 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoon s (77 g) salted butter
- 3 ounce s (85 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups (342 g) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon (10 ml) s vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoon (38 ml) s milk or cream
- 1 cup (120 g) toasted pecans, optional
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9X13-inch metal baking dish with a light layer of oil and set it aside. (For a glass dish, lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.)
- To make the cake, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, blend the applesauce, eggs, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently until just incorporated, ensuring no dry spots remain. Avoid overmixing.
- Evenly pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top lightly bounces back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few damp crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool entirely in the pan.
- For the frosting, melt the butter in a light-colored skillet over medium heat. It will begin to foam and sizzle. Stir occasionally with a silicone spatula to prevent burning, and watch for the butter solids to turn a golden brown and give off a nutty aroma. Once golden brown, remove from heat and transfer the butter to a medium bowl to cool.
- Let the butter sit until it reaches room temperature and has a thick consistency, about 20-30 minutes.
- Using an electric hand mixer (or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment), combine the softened cream cheese with the cooled butter until fully mixed. It may appear lumpy, which is normal.
- Add one cup of powdered sugar and mix until mostly blended.
- Add the vanilla and two tablespoons of milk or cream and mix again.
- Gradually incorporate the remaining powdered sugar, mixing on medium-low speed, and scrape down the bowl’s sides as needed. Adjust the texture with more milk or cream if necessary. Mix for 1 to 2 minutes until the frosting is thick and creamy.
- Distribute the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. If desired, sprinkle with toasted pecans. Cut into squares and serve, either at room temperature or chilled.
Notes
- Ensure a smooth blend of applesauce, eggs, oil, sugars, and vanilla to avoid lumps in the batternToast pecans to boost flavor and fold some into the batter for texturenClosely watch as you brown the butter for the frosting to prevent burning
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Française
Nutrition
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 20g
Keywords: all-purpose flour cake, applesauce cake recipe, cinnamon spice cake, cream cheese frosting, toasted pecans topping, nutmeg spiced cake
