Applesauce Cake with Frosting

This homemade applesauce cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting transforms humble ingredients into an irresistible treat. The warmth of autumn spices mingles with tender cake crumb while the tangy frosting adds the perfect creamy finish. It's a recipe that captures comfort in every bite.

I first made this applesauce cake during apple picking season when my kitchen was overflowing with homemade applesauce. Now it's become our go-to celebration cake, requested for birthdays and holiday gatherings alike.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for this tender cake
• Baking soda and powder: Work together for the ideal rise and texture
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves: Create that classic spice cake flavor profile
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness while allowing you to control the salt level
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb
• Egg: Acts as a binder bringing the batter together
• Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture and subtle apple flavor without excessive sweetness
• Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors in the cake

For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese: Creates a tangy base, use full fat for best results
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and improves spreadability
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting
• Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth
• Ground cinnamon: Transforms ordinary cream cheese frosting into something special

How To Make Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Prepare The Baking Pan:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and thoroughly greasing your 8x8 inch baking dish. A light dusting of flour ensures nothing sticks. Take your time with this step as a well-prepared pan means your cake will release perfectly.

Mix The Dry Ingredients:

In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and all spices. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spices throughout the batter. Whisking rather than sifting is sufficient and saves time.

Cream Butter And Sugar:

Using an electric mixer beat the softened butter until creamy, then add sugar gradually. Continue beating for about 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This incorporates air that helps the cake rise and creates a tender crumb.

Add Wet Ingredients:

Beat in the egg until fully incorporated, then add applesauce and vanilla. The mixture may look slightly curdled, this is completely normal. The applesauce provides moisture that makes this cake exceptionally tender.

Combine Everything:

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture gradually mixing on low speed just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten making the cake tough so stop as soon as no dry streaks remain. The batter will be thick but pourable.

Bake To Perfection:

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes testing for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center. Look for moist crumbs rather than wet batter. The cake will pull slightly from the edges when done.

Make The Frosting:

Beat room temperature cream cheese and butter until completely smooth using an electric mixer. This takes about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, beating until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. The texture should be spreadable but hold its shape.

Frost And Serve:

Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting otherwise the frosting will melt. Spread the cinnamon cream cheese mixture evenly across the top creating decorative swirls if desired. For clean slices refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting.

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The cinnamon in this recipe is truly the standout ingredient. I discovered that using freshly ground cinnamon rather than pre-ground makes a remarkable difference in flavor. My grandmother taught me this trick years ago when we baked this cake together during the holidays. The aroma of freshly ground spices filling the kitchen became as much a part of our tradition as the cake itself.

Make Ahead Options

This applesauce cake actually improves with time as the flavors meld together. You can bake the cake up to two days in advance and store it tightly wrapped at room temperature. The frosting can be made a day ahead and refrigerated separately. Just bring it to room temperature and give it a quick rewhip before spreading on the cake. For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted cake wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to three months.

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Ingredient Substitutions

This recipe welcomes adaptations based on what you have on hand. You can replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a nuttier flavor and extra nutrition. For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut oil for butter in the cake and use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the frosting. Apple butter can replace applesauce for a more intense flavor, though the cake will be slightly darker. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup without affecting the texture significantly.

Serving Suggestions

While delicious on its own, this applesauce cake pairs beautifully with additional accompaniments. Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. For a special breakfast treat, skip the frosting and dust with powdered sugar instead. At holiday gatherings I like to set out small squares alongside a coffee and tea station which always receives enthusiastic compliments from guests. The subtle spice notes complement both bold coffee and delicate teas.

The History Behind Applesauce Cake

Applesauce cake has deep roots in American baking traditions dating back to colonial times. It became especially popular during World War II when rationing limited access to eggs, butter, and sugar. Applesauce provided moisture and sweetness allowing bakers to reduce these scarce ingredients. Today we appreciate it for its wonderful texture and flavor rather than necessity. This version with its luxurious cream cheese frosting transforms the humble depression-era cake into something truly special while maintaining its heritage as a resourceful homestyle dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use homemade applesauce?

Yes, homemade applesauce works great as long as it is unsweetened to maintain the perfect sweetness of the cake.

→ Can I substitute butter in the cake?

Yes, you can use an equal amount of a neutral-flavored oil, such as vegetable oil or melted coconut oil, for a softer texture.

→ How do I store the cake?

Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

→ Can I make the frosting less sweet?

To reduce sweetness, you can decrease the powdered sugar slightly and balance it with an extra pinch of salt or more cream cheese.

→ What size pan works best for this cake?

An 8x8-inch baking dish is ideal, but you can use a 9-inch round pan as an alternative.

→ Can I add nuts or raisins to the batter?

Yes, chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins can be folded into the batter for added texture and flavor.