Moist Applesauce Cake with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Yield
- 1 cake (8 slices)
- Level
- medium
- Cuisine
- American
This tender, spiced cake uses applesauce to create incredible moisture while ground cinnamon and ginger add warm, comforting flavors. The honey cream cheese frosting provides a tangy-sweet complement that's less cloying than traditional buttercream. Perfect for fall gatherings, potluck dinners, or whenever you want a homestyle dessert that's not overly sweet. The applesauce keeps this cake exceptionally moist for days, and the rustic frosting approach makes it approachable for home bakers of any skill level.
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Method
9 steps- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch round cake pan with baking spray and parchment paper
- 2
Whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl
- 3
Add eggs, sugar, buttermilk, applesauce, and oil to dry ingredients and whisk gently until just combined
- 4
Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface
- 5
Bake until cake is firm to touch and toothpick comes out clean, about 55 minutes
- 6
Cool completely on wire rack
- 7
Loosen edges with knife, invert cake to remove from pan, peel off parchment, then invert onto serving platter
- 8
Whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, honey, and salt until slightly aerated
- 9
Spread frosting over top of cake and serve
Tips
Don't overmix the batter - whisk just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender.
Make sure cream cheese is fully at room temperature for smooth, lump-free frosting.
The cake can be made a day ahead and frosted just before serving for best texture.
Good to Know
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days
Cake can be baked 1 day ahead and stored covered at room temperature
Cut into wedges and serve at room temperature
Common Mistakes
Don't overmix the batter to avoid a tough cake
Ensure cream cheese is room temperature to prevent lumpy frosting
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
use cup-for-cup substitute
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this cake without frosting?
Yes, this cake is delicious on its own or with a simple dusting of powdered sugar. The applesauce keeps it moist enough to enjoy unfrosted.
What if I don't have buttermilk?
Use plain yogurt as specified in the recipe, or make buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice to regular milk and letting it sit 5 minutes.
How long will this cake keep?
Frosted cake keeps 3 days refrigerated. Unfrosted cake keeps 2 days covered at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 3 months.