Description
You will love this super soft and moist old-fashioned applesauce cake, packed with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It is an easy, nostalgic dessert perfect for cozy gatherings or an everyday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup hot water or strong brewed coffee
- For Frosting (Optional): 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until light and fluffy. You can use a stand mixer for this step.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the applesauce until just combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Do not overmix the batter.
- Carefully mix in the hot water or coffee until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan(s).
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes for a sheet cake, or 30 to 40 minutes for round layers, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
Notes
- For an extra moist cake, use homemade applesauce if possible.
- If you prefer a simpler finish, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar instead of frosting.
- This cake freezes well; wrap tightly before freezing for up to three months.
- This recipe is a wonderful healthy dessert swap when you crave something sweet but comforting.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg