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Moist Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Close-up of a moist slice of applesauce cake layered with cream cheese frosting on a white plate.
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This recipe delivers a tender, fluffy, and deeply spiced applesauce cake that tastes like a nostalgic treat from Grandma’s kitchen. It uses simple pantry staples and is perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • For the Frosting (Optional): 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important for a moist cake.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the applesauce and milk together.
  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 evenly into your prepared pan(s).
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes for a 9×13 pan, or 30 to 40 minutes for round layers, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting or dusting.
  10. To make the frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until combined. Beat in the vanilla extract and milk until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
  11. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake, or dust simply with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

  • For a classic Amish Applesauce Cake flavor, ensure you use fresh spices.
  • If you prefer a simpler finish, dust the cooled cake heavily with powdered sugar instead of using frosting.
  • This cake freezes well; wrap tightly before freezing for up to three months.
  • You can substitute half the white sugar with packed light brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://purecookingjoy.com/moist-old-fashioned-applesauce-cake/

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