If there’s one dessert that feels like a cozy hug on a plate, it has to be the Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. This cake is a glorious celebration of warm, fragrant spices paired with the natural sweetness and moisture of applesauce, creating a tender crumb that melts in your mouth. The dreamy cream cheese frosting adds just the right touch of creamy richness to balance the spices, making it a showstopper for any gathering or a perfect treat to brighten your afternoon tea. Once you dive into this cake, it’ll quickly become a beloved favorite you’ll want to make over and over again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple, but each plays an essential role in bringing together the signature flavors, moist texture, and beautiful color of this cake. From the aromatic spices that make your kitchen smell divine to the luscious cream cheese frosting that crowns the cake, every item is a key player.
- All-purpose flour (4 ½ cups): The sturdy base that gives the cake its structure and soft crumb.
- Baking powder and baking soda (2 tsp and 2 tsp): These leavening agents work together to give the cake just the right rise and fluffiness.
- Salt (1 tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Ground cinnamon (5 tsp): The warm, sweet spice that defines the cake’s comforting character.
- Ground nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves (2 tsp, 2 tsp, 1 tsp, ½ tsp): A blend of spices that add depth and complexity, making every bite more interesting.
- Light brown sugar (3 ½ cups): Adds moisture and rich sweetness with subtle caramel notes.
- Vegetable oil (1 ½ cups): Keeps the cake tender and moist without overpowering flavors.
- Unsweetened applesauce (1 ½ cups): A natural sweetener and moisture booster that makes the cake wonderfully soft.
- Large eggs (8): Bind everything together and contribute to the cake’s richness.
- Vanilla extract (4 tsp): Brings out the flavors and adds a lovely aromatic touch.
- Buttermilk (2 cups): Adds tanginess and keeps the cake unbelievably tender.
- Chopped pecans (2 cups, optional): For a delightful crunch and nutty contrast to the soft cake.
- Cream cheese (24 oz, nearly room temperature): The star of the frosting, creamy and tangy.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, nearly room temperature): Adds richness and smooth texture to the frosting.
- Powdered sugar (7 cups): Sweetens and lightens the frosting for that perfect spreadable consistency.
How to Make Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour either two 9×13-inch pans or three 9-inch round cake pans. This prep step ensures your beautifully baked cake layers will release easily, preserving their delicate texture.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the full spice blend—cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves. The spices bring the signature warmth to this cake and whisking them with the flour ensures even distribution for a balanced flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Create the Batter
In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, vegetable oil, unsweetened applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and shiny. Then, alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to this mixture, stirring gently to combine without overmixing. Fold in the chopped pecans if you’re using them—they add a lovely crunch that compliments the soft cake beautifully.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Divvy up the batter evenly among your prepared pans and slide them into the oven. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely before moving on to frosting. Patience here pays off with the smoothest frosting layer.
Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and butter together until you have a creamy, smooth base. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and perfectly spreadable. This frosting is rich without being overly sweet, which pairs stunningly with the warmly spiced cake.
Step 6: Frost and Enjoy
Spread the luscious cream cheese frosting generously over your cooled cake layers. Whether you stack three rounds or frost two slabs, this is the moment where your Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe truly shines. Slice it up and savor every bite!
How to Serve Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your serving presentation, consider sprinkling a light dusting of cinnamon on top or a scattering of chopped pecans. Fresh apple slices or even a few dried cranberries can add subtle fruity notes and a pop of color that makes the cake look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent experience. To balance the sweetness, a cup of hot chai tea or a lightly brewed coffee works wonderfully and enhances those cozy spice flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests, try turning the cake into a layered trifle with alternating layers of frosting and cake cubes in a glass bowl. Another idea is to cut the cake into petite squares and serve them on decorative toothpicks as elegant party bites. Whichever way you present it, the deliciousness of the Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe will wow everyone.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. This will keep it fresh and moist for up to five days, allowing the flavors to actually deepen over time.
Freezing
If you want to make this cake ahead for a special event, it freezes beautifully. Freeze frosted cake slices separately wrapped in plastic and foil, or freeze unfrosted layers to be frosted later. Properly wrapped, it will keep well for up to three months.
Reheating
For best texture, let refrigerated or frozen cake come to room temperature before serving. You can gently warm slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back some softness without melting the frosting.
FAQs
Can I substitute applesauce with fresh apples?
While fresh apples add lovely texture, applesauce is key for the moistness and subtle sweetness this cake is known for. If you want to use fresh apples, consider grating them finely and adjusting moisture but expect a slightly different texture.
Is it necessary to use buttermilk?
Buttermilk adds a gentle acidity that helps tenderize the cake and balance the sweetness. If you don’t have buttermilk, a simple substitute is milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, left to sit for 5 minutes.
Can I leave out the nuts?
Absolutely! The pecans add a nice crunch but the cake is delicious on its own without them, perfect for those with nut allergies or preferences.
How long does the frosting keep well?
Once made, the cream cheese frosting is best used within 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator. Make sure it’s tightly covered to prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors.
Can I make the cake gluten-free?
With some careful substitutions using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum, you can adapt this recipe. Keep in mind texture and rise might vary slightly.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give this Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe a try soon—it’s truly a heartwarming dessert that feels like a celebration in every bite. Whether it’s a holiday treat, a weekend baking project, or a sweet surprise for loved ones, this cake will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your heart with cozy joy.
