Description
A warm, spiced cake that stays soft and tender, featuring applesauce and shredded apple for moisture and topped with a rich brown butter cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
- 1 and 3/4 cups (350g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 cup (240g) unsweetened applesauce
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (150g) shredded apple (or shredded carrot/zucchini)
- optional: 1 tablespoon (21g) unsulphured or dark molasses
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, cut into 4 slices
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 and 1/2 cups (300g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- optional, for garnish: sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar, applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, and optional molasses. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
- Fold in the shredded apple until combined and spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 38–40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let cool completely on a cooling rack.
- In a light-colored skillet, melt the sliced butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns golden-brown and develops a nutty aroma.
- Transfer the melted butter to a bowl to cool, then use a mixer to beat until creamy. Add cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until well combined.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled cake and optionally sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Also can be frozen, wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg