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I saw this recipe in the fall and I had forgotten about it until today when I was attempting to clean out my bookmarks. I have so many fantastic recipes to try that it overwhelms me a little. So many recipes, so little time…

Ok, maybe that it a little dramatic. But it is clear to me that my full time job it getting in the way of my culinary creations. If only I could figure out a way to pay for things and never work! Maybe one day…

Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

(Gourmet Magazine October 2009)

Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup pecans

Frosting:

  • 5 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter an 8- or 9-inch square cake pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Beat butter, brown sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in applesauce. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until just combined, then stir in pecans. Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in pan until completely cool.

Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until fluffy. Slowly add confectioners sugar and cinnamon over cream cheese mixture, then beat at medium speed until incorporated. Spread frosting over top of completely cooled cake.

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