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Moist Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Close-up of a rich, dark slice of applesauce cake topped with thick, white cream cheese frosting.
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This recipe yields a tender, moist applesauce cake rich with warm spices, reminiscent of nostalgic, comforting baking. It uses simple pantry staples and pairs perfectly with a tangy cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting:
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (if needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or an 8×8 inch square pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step builds texture.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Mix in the applesauce and vanilla extract until just combined.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix only until the batter is smooth; do not overmix.
  7. Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. While the cake cools, prepare the frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  11. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and cinnamon, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
  12. Add the vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add milk one tablespoon at a time if the frosting is too stiff.
  13. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.

Notes

  • For an Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake that is extra moist, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
  • If you do not have fresh applesauce, you can use store-bought unsweetened applesauce; this recipe works well with pantry staple baking ingredients.
  • For a simple finish, skip the frosting and dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/applesauce-cake-recipe-moist-old-fashioned/