Name: Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Unsweetened applesauce; All-purpose flour; Brown sugar; Baking soda; Baking powder; Ground cinnamon; Ground nutmeg; Eggs; Vegetable oil; Vanilla extract; Cream cheese; Butter; Powdered sugar; Vanilla extract; Ground cinnamon

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If you’re in the mood for a dessert that delivers cozy vibes and big fall flavor no matter the season, Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is destined to become your new favorite. This cake is so plush and tender, infused with applesauce and warm spices, then slathered with a creamy, tangy cinnamon-flecked frosting. It’s deceptively simple but incredibly rewarding — basically, the kind of treat you want to bring to every gathering or enjoy quietly with a mug of tea on a crisp afternoon.

Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is chosen for max flavor and texture, yet the list is blissfully simple. Think pillowy cake, tangy-sweet frosting, and an inviting aroma wafting from your kitchen!

Unsweetened applesauce: Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and irresistibly soft texture to the cake.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone that holds the cake together while keeping it light.
Brown sugar: Infuses deep caramel notes and a rich, almost fudgy crumb.
Baking soda: Provides gentle lift so the cake stays fluffy rather than dense.
Baking powder: Teams up with baking soda for extra rise and cake perfection.
Ground cinnamon: The spice that brings coziness, present in both cake and frosting.
Ground nutmeg: Adds an undercurrent of warmth that makes each bite more interesting.
Eggs: Bind everything together and give the cake structure.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb moist and supple — you can swap with Greek yogurt for a lighter twist.
Vanilla extract: Simple but essential, brings out all the natural flavors.
Cream cheese: For the frosting, this is your tangy, dreamy base.
Butter: Works hand-in-hand with the cream cheese for a rich, whipped frosting.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and helps the frosting reach that fluffy, spreadable consistency.
Vanilla extract (again): A touch in the frosting brings the whole dessert together.
Ground cinnamon (for frosting): The secret to making the cream cheese frosting entirely unforgettable.

How to Make

Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Pan

Fire up your oven to 350°F (175°C) and take a moment to grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. This not only prevents sticking but ensures you’ll get those beautifully clean slices of Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil (or Greek yogurt if you’re going the lighter route!), eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and glossy, letting the applesauce keep things oh-so-moist.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Grab another bowl and combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Give them a thorough whisk — this helps distribute the leaveners and spice evenly, so every bite delivers on flavor.

Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Together

Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Take your time — a light hand keeps the cake tender instead of tough. Once everything is just combined and lump-free, you’re ready to bake.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let the cake cool completely in the pan; this ensures your frosting won’t melt into a gooey puddle!

Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake cools, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until ultra-smooth. Then slowly add the powdered sugar and cinnamon, whipping until the frosting is fluffy, creamy, and flecked with spice.

Step 7: Frost and Garnish

Once completely cool, lavish the cake with your cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Swirl it on, add a little flourish if you’d like, and get ready for serious cake glee. Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting never looked so inviting!

How to Serve

Garnishes

A simple dusting of ground cinnamon or a shower of finely chopped toasted walnuts can give Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting instant visual appeal and a little extra texture. For a festive touch, add curls of apple peel or a sprinkle of apple chips for crunch and color.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt for a lighter option. For drinks, try chai tea or hot apple cider for bonus autumnal spirit — they balance the cake’s sweetness and spiced complexity perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the cake into neat bars for potlucks or serve it as a grand sheet cake centerpiece. For a show-stopping dessert board, cut the cake into bite-sized cubes, skewer with toothpicks, and nestle alongside fresh apple slices, nuts, and extra cinnamon sticks for a harvest-inspired effect.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftover Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting, cover the cake tightly and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. The frosting actually develops even deeper flavor after a night in the fridge, making those sneaky midnight bites totally irresistible.

Freezing

This cake freezes like a dream! Wrap slices (or even the whole cake, unfrosted) well in plastic and then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. For frosted cake, freeze uncovered until solid, then wrap — defrost in the fridge overnight and it’s ready to serve.

Reheating

Not strictly necessary, but if you want that fresh-baked experience, pop a slice in the microwave for just 15–20 seconds. The frosting gets delightfully soft, and the spice aroma wafts through your kitchen once more.

FAQs

Can I use sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened?

Absolutely, but you may want to slightly decrease the amount of brown sugar in the recipe to balance the sweetness, since sweetened applesauce will amp up that sugary flavor.

Is it possible to make Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting gluten-free?

Yes! You can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The result is still moist, flavorful, and perfect for everyone at the table.

Can I add nuts or raisins to the batter?

Definitely — stir in a cup of toasted walnuts, pecans, or plump raisins for extra crunch and interest. They blend beautifully with the warm spice of the Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.

Does the cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes, because of the cream cheese frosting, it’s safest to keep the cake in the refrigerator. Just bring slices to room temperature for a softer bite, if you like.

Can I make the cake ahead and frost later?

Sure can! Bake the cake a day ahead and keep it covered at room temperature, then whip up the frosting and spread it on just before serving for maximum freshness.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about sharing a homemade Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting — it’s comforting, nostalgic, and 100 percent delicious. I hope you find as much joy making (and devouring) it as I do. Happy baking!