Monday, December 6, 2010

Spiced Applesauce Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting


Moist, apple cake topped with lightly spiced buttery, creamy cream cheese frosting.  What's not to love?  I can't decide whether to eat this cake with a cup of coffee at breakfast or after a hearty cold weather dinner.  Then again, why not make this as an after dinner dessert and then revisit it the next morning for breakfast?

This is the second apple cake I've baked this season and although the Applesauce Cake I made back in September was good, I liked this one even more.  This recipe was covered back in October on Smitten Kitchen and I'm so happy that a coworker introduced me to this blog.  The photography and the recipes are great... go check it out!

Check out this cake, too.  It's easy to make and I promise it will put a smile on your face.


Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Adapted by Smitten Kitchen, from Gourmet.com and improved by me

For cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon  baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon  cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
1 cup (7 3/4 ounces or 218 grams) packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon  pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce


For frosting
5 ounces Neufchatel cheese (reduced fat cream cheese), softened
3 tablespoons  butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Spray an 8 or 9 inch square pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.

Make cake: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Beat butter, brown sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in applesauce. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until just combined. The batter will be very thick.

Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake to loosen, then invert onto a plate. Reinvert cake onto a rack to cool completely.

Make frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until fluffy. Sift confectioners sugar and cinnamon over cream cheese mixture, then beat at medium speed until incorporated. Spread frosting over top of cooled cake.

7 comments:

  1. It does look easy and not super fattening! I may have to try it on my new diet and all. ;)

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  2. i LOOOOOOOOOVE spice/apple sauce cake.. i bet this was so moist! I think I'll make a ginger/spice cake this holiday season. and cream cheese frosting is the best!

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  3. This really does look fantastic. I'm drawn to old fashioned flavors when they are well prepared. Yours sounds wonderful. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. I could sure use a hunk of that right now!

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  5. Oh man that looks great! I love a nice moist cake topped with tons of frosting...yum!

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  6. I love simple snack cakes like this. The cinnamon makes me want to sing!

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  7. I'd love a piece right now for lunch!
    ~ingrid

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