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Moist Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

A close-up of a moist slice of applesauce cake topped with thick, creamy frosting on a white plate.
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This recipe yields a very moist, tender applesauce cake featuring warm spices, reminiscent of traditional Amish baking. It is simple to prepare and topped with a rich maple cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 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 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the applesauce mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
  9. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until incorporated.
  11. Beat in the maple syrup and vanilla extract until the frosting is light and spreadable.
  12. Spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake.

Notes

  • For the best moisture, use unsweetened applesauce.
  • You can substitute regular cream cheese frosting if you prefer not to use maple syrup.
  • This cake keeps well covered at room temperature for up to three days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savoryskies.com/moist-applesauce-cake-recipe/