Description
This Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist and flavorful dessert perfect for fall. The cake combines warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg with the natural sweetness of applesauce, while the creamy cinnamon-infused frosting adds a rich, tangy finish. Easy to bake and delightful to serve, it’s an ideal treat for family gatherings or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and packed brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Applesauce: Mix in the unsweetened applesauce until the batter is smooth and combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until smooth and fluffy.
- Add Frosting Ingredients: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the frosting is light and creamy.
- Frost the Cake: Spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake using a spatula or knife.
Notes
- Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or raisins to the batter for added texture and flavor.
- Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
