Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting – Moist, Spiced & Delicious
This Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is moist, tender, and perfectly spiced. Topped with a creamy, cinnamon-kissed frosting, it’s the ultimate dessert for fall, family gatherings, or any time you crave a sweet, comforting treat. Easy to bake and irresistibly flavorful!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk and spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cake pans (round, loaf, or bundt)
- Parchment paper or non-stick spray
- Electric or hand mixer (for frosting)
- Cooling rack
- Knife for slicing
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional Add-Ins:
- Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans)
- Raisins or shredded coconut
Instructions
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pans
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease pans and line with parchment.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a bowl.
Mix Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk together applesauce, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Combine Wet & Dry
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Stir gently to avoid overmixing.
Add Optional Mix-Ins
- Fold in nuts, raisins, or coconut if desired.
Bake
- Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30–40 minutes (round) or 50–60 minutes (loaf) until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool
- Let cakes cool completely on a cooling rack before frosting.
Prepare Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla; mix until creamy.
Frost & Serve
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Make Ahead: Bake 1–2 days in advance and frost just before serving.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan/Dairy-Free: Substitute eggs with flax/chia eggs and use non-dairy cream cheese.
- Loaf or Cupcakes: Adjust bake time for smaller or larger portions.
- Tips for Moist Cake: Don’t overmix; use room-temperature ingredients; test doneness with a toothpick.