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Moist Old-Fashioned Amish Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Close-up of a moist slice of applesauce cake topped with thick, spiced cream cheese frosting.
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Bake a tender, moist applesauce cake with warm spices, reminiscent of old-fashioned comfort baking. This recipe includes a simple cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the applesauce, milk, and vanilla extract.
  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 the prepared pan(s).
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes for a sheet cake, or 30 to 40 minutes for layer cakes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
  10. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  11. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cinnamon, beating until fully incorporated and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  12. Spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake.

Notes

  • Use unsweetened applesauce for the best control over the cake’s sweetness.
  • For a richer spice flavor, increase the cinnamon to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
  • If you prefer a caramel glaze instead of frosting, substitute the frosting ingredients with 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, cooked until thickened.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/applesauce-cake-moist-old-fashioned-amish-recipe/