Moist Applesauce Spice Cake
There’s something truly comforting about the smell of warm spices and apples filling your kitchen. This Moist Applesauce Spice Cake is incredibly moist and tender thanks to applesauce, with a cozy blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Perfect for holidays, special occasions, or a comforting treat.
Equipment
- Oven
- Cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Sifter
- Spatula
- Wire rack
- Serrated knife
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
For the Frosting
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1/2 tsp orange extract or vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour cake pans or line with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Sift together cake flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a medium bowl.
- Step 3: Beat softened butter on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add granulated sugar and beat on high for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Step 4: Slowly drizzle in oil while mixer runs. Add egg and vanilla extract, then mix just until combined.
- Step 5: Add dry ingredients all at once and mix on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Step 6: Stir in applesauce gently on low speed until smooth and uniform.
- Step 7: Divide batter evenly between pans and smooth tops. Bake for 25–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
- Step 8: Cool cakes in pans on wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pans, peel parchment, and cool completely. Chill layers for about 1 hour if desired for easier frosting.
- Step 9: Beat softened butter on low until smooth. Add cream cheese in chunks and beat until smooth with no lumps. Stir in orange extract and salt.
- Step 10: Add sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low until incorporated. Increase speed and beat about 1 minute until light and fluffy.
- Step 11: Level cake layers if uneven. Place one layer on plate, spread generous frosting. Add second layer, apply thin crumb coat. Refrigerate 15–20 minutes to set.
- Step 12: Apply final smooth layer of frosting. Optionally, warm caramel sauce and drizzle around top edge. Decorate with extra frosting as desired.
Notes
Make substitutions like using all-purpose flour plus cornstarch or coconut oil for variations. Add nuts or dried fruit for texture. Store cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days, refrigerate up to 5 days, or freeze layers wrapped well for longer storage.