Applesauce Spice Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Applesauce Spice Cake is a moist and flavorful treat perfect for the cozy seasons. Blended with warm spices and a creamy cream cheese frosting, it’s a delightful dessert that’s easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk (full fat)
• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (4 oz, room temperature)
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans well with non-stick cooking spray and place a parchment paper circle at the bottom of each pan. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and cloves. Set this dry mix aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract together until just combined, about one minute.
4. Step 4: Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat just until mixed. Then add all the buttermilk and beat until just combined. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients and mix gently. Avoid overmixing.
5. Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Use a food scale if available for accuracy. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on the stove for 20 minutes. Then run a knife around the edges to loosen and transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Step 7: For the frosting, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add the butter and vanilla extract and beat until creamy.
8. Step 8: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating about two minutes until smooth and fluffy.
9. Step 9: Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the cooled cakes by removing any domed tops, creating flat layers.
10. Step 10: Place one cake layer on a plate or cake board. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top to act as the glue between layers.
11. Step 11: Place the second cake layer on top, bottom side up for a smooth surface.
12. Step 12: Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting to the entire cake to seal in crumbs. Freeze the cake for about 10 minutes to set this layer.
13. Step 13: Remove from freezer and spread a thicker, final layer of frosting evenly on the top and sides. Smooth with a cake scraper if desired. Optionally, pipe frosting decorations along the edges using a star tip.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, swap half of the vegetable oil for applesauce.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, use 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes.
• Add chopped nuts or raisins to the batter for added texture.
• Make cupcakes with this batter, baking for about 20-25 minutes.
• Use a food scale to ensure even cake layers for professional results.

Storage

Store the cake covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let the cake come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. Leftover cake can be frozen wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bring to room temperature before eating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the buttermilk with a plant-based milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar and use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives for the frosting.

Why should I use a crumb coat on the cake?

The crumb coat seals in loose crumbs, making the final frosting layer smooth and clean-looking without crumbs mixing into it.

Applesauce Spice Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

This Applesauce Spice Cake is a moist, warmly spiced dessert perfect for cozy gatherings. Featuring a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, this cake balances the natural sweetness of applesauce with cream cheese frosting for a delightful finish. The cake layers are tender and flavorful, complemented by a smooth, creamy frosting that enhances every bite.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 two-layer 8-inch cake (serves approximately 12 slices) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk (full fat)

Frosting Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (4 oz, room temperature)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. Cut two circles of parchment paper to fit the bottoms of the pans and place them inside. Set aside this preparation for later use.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, salt, and ground cloves until fully combined. Set this bowl aside for the moment.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until just mixed, approximately one minute. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
4. Incorporate Dry and Wet Mixtures: Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat gently just until combined. Then add the buttermilk in its entirety and mix again until fully combined. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated, taking care not to overmix the batter.
5. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans, using a food scale if available to ensure equal amounts for even baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean without raw batter clinging to it.
6. Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on top of the stove for 20 minutes. Then gently loosen the edges with a table knife if needed, remove from pans, and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
7. Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the unsalted butter and vanilla extract, beating until a smooth mixture forms. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, continuing to mix for about two minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
8. Level the Cakes: Using a serrated knife, carefully slice off the domed tops of the cooled cake layers to create two flat surfaces for stacking, ensuring stability and even frosting.
9. Assemble the Cake – Layer One: Place one flat cake layer on a cake plate or cake board. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top to act as a binder for the second layer. This layer does not need to be thick; it is just to secure the layers.
10. Assemble the Cake – Layer Two: Place the second cake layer on top of the first with its bottom side facing up to provide a smooth top finish.
11. Apply Crumb Coat: Use an angled icing spatula to evenly spread a thin layer of frosting over the entire cake, sealing in crumbs. Chill the cake in the freezer for about 10 minutes to allow this crumb coat to set before the final frosting layer.
12. Finish Frosting: Remove the cake from the freezer and apply a thicker, final layer of frosting all over the sides and top, smoothing it with a cake scraper for a polished look. Optionally, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to decorate with frosting dollops along the edges of the cake.

Notes

• Use parchment paper in the cake pans to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
• Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the cake light and tender.
• Use a food scale for even batter distribution in pans to help ensure even baking.
• Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
• Chilling the cake with a crumb coat helps achieve a clean final appearance.
• The frosting can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.

Keywords: Applesauce cake, spice cake, cream cheese frosting, autumn dessert, homemade cake, cinnamon cake