Applesauce Cake

Yield: 20 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 33 minutes

Total Time 43 minutes

Big slice of applesauce cake on a white plate and topped with cream cheese icing.

Pin Print

This spiced Applesauce Cake is moist, sweet and easy to make. The cream cheese frosting on top makes it even better!

Ingredients

For the Cake

2 cups unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Frosting

8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with baking spray (or use homemade cake release).
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together applesauce, oil, and vanilla extract. Add flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Mix with wooden spoon JUST until combined (batter may be lumpy).
Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 33-35 minutes, until edges begin to lightly brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cool completely.
For the frosting, beat cream cheese with butter for 3 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
Add in vanilla and powdered sugar, and beat an additional 3-4 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
Spread frosting over cooled cake. Cover with foil (or plastic wrap) and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Storage: keep this cake in refrigerator for best flavor (serve chilled).
If using sweetened applesauce, you can reduce granulated sugar to ¼ cup (or keep it as is and it will be slightly sweeter than normal). Try our homemade applesauce in today's recipe!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 324Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 126mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 1gSugar: 28gProtein: 2g

*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.