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

A close-up slice of moist, layered applesauce cake with vanilla bean frosting sitting on a light plate.
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You get a truly moist and flavorful cake using this old-fashioned Amish applesauce cake recipe. It is packed with warm autumn spices and results in a tender crumb every time you bake it. Top it with a simple cinnamon cream cheese frosting for the best comfort food dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 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
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce (smooth or chunky)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 teaspoon vinegar added)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting:
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream

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 medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set the dry ingredients aside.
  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Mix in the applesauce and vanilla extract until just combined.
  6. Alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the batter is smooth. 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 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 sifted powdered sugar and cinnamon, beating until combined.
  12. Mix in the vanilla extract and add milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  13. Spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake.

Notes

  • For an extra moist applesauce cake, use unsweetened applesauce that is slightly warmer than room temperature.
  • If you prefer a richer flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour with cake flour.
  • You can add 1/2 cup of raisins or chopped walnuts to the batter for texture if you like.

Nutrition

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