Old Fashioned Applesauce Spice Cake

Ingredients

Spice Cake:
2 ½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
4 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 cup (200 g) packed dark brown sugar
¾ cup (180 ml) canola or vegetable oil
1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 cup (225 g or 8 oz) block-style cream cheese, room temperature
¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups (240 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a 13×9 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside.

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, buttermilk and vanilla extract until well combined.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined (avoid over-mixing).

Transfer batter to prepared baking pan. Bake at 350 F for 30 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely.

To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix until combined. Mix in the vanilla and pinch of salt.

Spread frosting over cooled cake. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chopped nuts if desired.

Slice cake 3 rows vertically and 5 rows horizontally, and serve.