Get ready to transform your kitchen into a heavenly aroma haven with this mind-blowing Applesauce Spice Cake that's about to become your new obsession! Imagine a moist, warmly spiced cake that combines the nostalgic comfort of homemade applesauce with a decadent brown butter cream cheese frosting that will make your taste buds dance with joy. This isn't just another cake recipe - it's a culinary experience that bridges traditional American baking with gourmet sophistication, promising to impress everyone from casual home bakers to serious dessert enthusiasts.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup brown butter, cooled
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan, ensuring even coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined and no lumps remain.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure complete incorporation and a smooth batter.
- Gradually fold in the unsweetened applesauce, mixing until the batter is uniform in color and texture.
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can result in a dense cake.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove cake from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the brown butter cream cheese frosting, first brown the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns a golden amber color and develops a nutty aroma.
- Allow brown butter to cool completely, then beat softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Gradually add cooled brown butter and powdered sugar to the cream cheese, mixing until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the brown butter cream cheese frosting evenly across the top using an offset spatula.
- Optional: Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or chopped nuts before serving.
- Slice into 12 equal portions and serve at room temperature. Store any leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Always use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking.
- When browning butter, watch carefully and stir constantly to prevent burning - the nutty aroma is your key indicator of perfect brown butter.
- Don't overmix the batter - mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender.
- Use an offset spatula for perfectly smooth frosting application.
- For extra flavor depth, consider using freshly ground spices instead of pre-ground.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
- Store cake in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 95mg
