Best Ever Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Frosting (Just 5 Steps!)

Some days, you want a showstopper. Other days, you want comfort. This applesauce cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting is unapologetically the latter. It’s the culinary equivalent of a hug in flannel pajamas—moist, warmly spiced, and frosted with a cinnamon-kissed cream cheese topping that you’ll want to eat straight from the bowl (guilty as charged).

This recipe was born during one of those Tuesday afternoons when my kitchen was chaos, the dog was barking at a squirrel, and I needed something sweet that didn’t require a mixer or a PhD in pastry arts. The applesauce brings moisture and flavor without any fuss. And the frosting? Let’s just say it tastes like fall wrapped itself in a cashmere sweater.

Whether you’re baking with the kids, prepping ahead for guests, or just craving a slice of something spiced and cozy, this cake is here for you. Let’s dive in.

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Why You’ll Love This Applesauce Cake

• Super moist thanks to unsweetened applesauce
• Warm spices that feel like a cozy blanket
• Easy enough for weeknights, fancy enough for fall gatherings
• That frosting. Cinnamon. Cream cheese. Need I say more?
• One bowl, no mixer, no drama

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Cake Batter

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in applesauce and vanilla extract.

3. Combine and Bake

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring just until combined. Pour batter into prepared dish and smooth the top. Bake 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

4. Make the Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then stir in vanilla and cinnamon. Beat until fluffy.

5. Frost and Serve

Spread frosting over cooled cake. Slice, serve, and prepare for oohs and ahhs.

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Melania’s Tips for Perfect Applesauce Cake

• Use room-temp butter and eggs—it’s the unsung hero of good texture.
• No applesauce? Mash ripe bananas instead (¾ cup banana = 1 cup applesauce).
• Double the batch and bake in a 9×13 pan for a party-ready version.
• Let the cake cool completely before frosting—trust me, frosting meltage is real.

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Bake It With the Littles

Little hands love helping with this one!
👩‍🍳 Let them:

• Mix dry ingredients (they love measuring spices)
• Stir the batter with a big wooden spoon
• Decorate the frosted cake with a dusting of cinnamon or fall sprinkles

Just keep the beaters away from tiny tongues until the egg is safely baked in!

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Meal-Prep Magic

Make the cake a day ahead—it actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Store it:

• Unfrosted: Room temp, tightly wrapped for up to 2 days
• Frosted: Refrigerated in an airtight container for 4–5 days

Yes, you can freeze it! Freeze slices with parchment between layers, up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy a slice of autumn any time.

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Healthier Swaps Without Losing the Magic

• Sub whole wheat flour for half the all-purpose
• Use coconut sugar or maple syrup instead of granulated (adjust liquids slightly)
• Try Greek yogurt in place of half the butter
• Make it vegan with plant butter, egg replacer, and vegan cream cheese

Still fluffy, still spiced, still gone by tomorrow.

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Leftover Remix

If by some miracle you have leftovers:

• Crumble into apple parfaits with yogurt and granola
• Sandwich a slice with ice cream for a fall ice cream sandwich
• Toast slices and top with peanut butter and banana
• Cut into cubes and layer with whipped cream for a quick trifle

Or, honestly, just eat it cold from the fridge in your pajamas. Zero regrets.

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Gift It Like a Pro

Wrap individual slices in parchment and twine for charming lunchbox treats. Or bake it in a disposable foil pan, wrap with a plaid kitchen towel, and drop it off for a neighbor, teacher, or that friend who always waters your plants.

Want something equally cozy? Try my Maple Oat Muffins with Streusel Topping—they pair perfectly with spiced teas and chilly mornings.

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FAQs

Can I use sweetened applesauce?
You can, but reduce the sugar in the cake by ¼ cup.

How long will it stay fresh?
Frosted, 4–5 days in the fridge. Unfrosted, 2 days at room temp.

Can I bake this in a loaf pan?
Yes! Bake at 325°F for 40–50 minutes.

What if I don’t like cloves?
Skip them or sub with more cinnamon—it’s your cake, friend.

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Final Thought

This applesauce cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting is the kind of recipe that becomes a tradition. It’s low-fuss, high-reward, and feels like fall in every bite. Whether you’re whipping it up on a sleepy Sunday or baking with sticky-fingered helpers, this cake brings the kind of cozy that never goes out of style.

So pour yourself a cup of something warm, grab a fork, and savor every cinnamon-spiced crumb.

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