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Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

This delicious applesauce cake features warm spices and a creamy cinnamon frosting, perfect for brunch or dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves (optional) Can be omitted or substituted
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 stick
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs Room-temperature
  • 2 cups unsweetened applesauce Use unsweetened to control sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 stick
  • 2.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or two 9-inch round pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and applesauce.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour batter into the prepared pans and smooth the top.
Baking
  1. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  2. Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
  1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.
  3. Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
  4. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chopped walnuts.

Notes

Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days.