Description
Warm spices dance through this classic Applesauce Cake, inviting comfort with each tender crumb. Homemade goodness fills your kitchen with nostalgic aromas, promising a delightful slice of sweet, spiced perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
Flour and Leavening Agents:
- 2 1/2 cups (595 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
Wet Ingredients and Sweeteners:
- 2 cups (473 ml) unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (237 ml) vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 ml) vanilla extract
Spices and Optional Nuts:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground cloves
- 3/4 cup (84 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter
- 8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 ml) vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups (420 g
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with lubricant to prevent adhesion.
- Aggregate dry components in a spacious mixing receptacle, thoroughly combining flour, leavening agents, salt, and aromatic spices through vigorous whisking to ensure uniform distribution.
- Create a liquid foundation by blending applesauce, eggs, petroleum-based cooking fat, crystalline sweeteners, and flavor enhancer until achieving a harmonious, silky consistency.
- Merge liquid and powdery mixtures gently, incorporating movements that minimize gluten development, ensuring ingredients are just integrated.
- Introduce optional nutty elements like walnuts or pecans through delicate folding techniques.
- Transfer the transformed mixture into prepared baking receptacle, distributing evenly across the surface.
- Position in preheated thermal chamber, allowing culinary transformation for approximately 30-35 minutes until internal structural integrity confirms completion through clean toothpick extraction.
- Permit thermal equilibration, allowing cake to rest and stabilize at ambient temperature within original baking container.
- Construct frosting by whipping dairy-based fats until achieving cloud-like smoothness, progressively introducing cream cheese, aromatic spices, and sweet pulverized crystals.
- Execute final embellishment by spreading creamy topping across completely cooled confectionery surface.
- Segment into elegant portions, presenting a delectable autumnal-inspired delicacy ready for consumption.
Notes
- Swap applesauce for mashed bananas or pumpkin puree to create different flavor variations and keep the cake moist.
- Replace vegetable oil with Greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce for a healthier, lower-fat version that maintains the cake’s tender texture.
- Toast nuts before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch that elevates the overall taste profile of the cake.
- Use gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the cake’s soft, delectable texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg