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Moist Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

A moist slice of applesauce cake topped with thick, creamy frosting on a white plate.
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This recipe delivers a tender, moist old-fashioned applesauce cake, rich with warm spices. It is simple to make and pairs perfectly with a tangy cinnamon cream cheese frosting for a comforting dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (if needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until 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, milk, and vanilla extract until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the batter is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  7. Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan(s).
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes for a 9×13 pan, or 30 to 40 minutes for round layers, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
  10. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  11. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar and cinnamon until fully incorporated.
  12. Mix in the vanilla extract. Add milk one tablespoon at a time if the frosting is too stiff to spread easily.
  13. Spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice and serve this cozy dessert idea.

Notes

  • For an even more flavorful cake, use homemade spiced applesauce.
  • If you prefer a snack cake, you can skip the frosting and dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar.
  • This cake freezes well before frosting. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil.

Nutrition

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