Applesauce Spice Cake Brown Sugar (Printer View)

Tender applesauce cake rich in spices, topped with creamy brown sugar frosting for a comforting autumn treat.

# What you'll need:

→ Cake

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Brown Sugar Frosting

16 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
17 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
18 - 1/4 cup whole milk
19 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
20 - Pinch of salt
21 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan to ensure easy release.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves until thoroughly mixed.
03 - In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until pale and fluffy.
04 - Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in unsweetened applesauce and vanilla extract until combined.
05 - Mix half of the dry ingredients with the wet mixture gently. Pour in the whole milk, then fold in the remaining dry ingredients just until no streaks remain.
06 - Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
07 - Remove pan from oven and let the cake cool completely in the pan before applying the frosting.
08 - In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar and cook until the mixture bubbles and becomes smooth, about 2 minutes.
09 - Add whole milk and bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for 10 minutes before proceeding.
10 - Gradually whisk in sifted powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. If needed, adjust consistency with extra milk or powdered sugar.
11 - Spread the finished frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice into portions and serve as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses basic pantry ingredients you probably already have
  • Mixed in one bowl so cleanup is easy and fast
  • Ready to serve in under an hour
  • Hearty yet not heavy so perfect for any season
02 -
  • This cake keeps beautifully at room temperature for several days covered
  • Full of cozy spices and not overly sweet so it is wonderful with coffee or tea
  • You can add toasted walnuts or pecans into the batter for a nutty crunch
03 -
  • Toast your nuts before adding for extra crunch and aroma
  • Always sift powdered sugar into the frosting to avoid lumps
  • Let the brown sugar mixture cool before adding powdered sugar so the frosting stays silky
  • I learned to always use the toothpick test at the thirty minute mark since this cake goes from perfectly moist to dry very quickly Do not skip waiting for the cake to be fully cool before frosting or the icing can slide right off
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