Applesauce Cake

5 from 7 votes

This healthy applesauce cake is made with unsweetened applesauce and pure maple syrup for a soft, moist crumb with no refined sugar. Loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and topped with a tangy cinnamon cream cheese frosting that takes it completely over the top.

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings:

Author: Brittany Mullins

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose or white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup pure maple syrup or honey
¼ cup avocado oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup chopped nuts or raisins optional

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese full fat, softened to room temperature
½ cup Greek yogurt I used plain full fat
¼ cup maple syrup
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
1 ½ cups all-purpose or white whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon salt
In a large bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup or honey, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
1 cup unsweetened applesauce, ½ cup pure maple syrup or honey, ¼ cup avocado oil, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
Gently stir in the chopped nuts or raisins if using.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 22-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
While cake is cooling, make cream cheese frosting by adding all ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to whip all the ingredients together until smooth and fluffy (about 5 minutes), scraping down the sides as needed. If your frosting is turning out runny, just keep whipping it and it should turn out thick and fluffy. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer.
8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Once the cake has cooled, top with cream cheese frosting. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Storage: Store frosted cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 to 7 days or freeze unfrosted for up to 3 months.
Swap the frosting: I love the cinnamon cream cheese frosting, but you can certainly use your favorite homemade or store-bought frosting. This vanilla buttercream frosting or peanut butter yogurt frosting would also be delicious options!

Nutrition