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Piece of applesauce cake with caramel frosting topped with toasted walnuts sitting on piece of parchment with rest of cake behind all on wood board on gray slate surface
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Applesauce Cake with Caramel Frosting

Made from homemade applesauce, this applesauce cake with caramel frosting is a moist and sweet treat! The rich, fall flavors complement the caramel frosting perfectly!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Difficulty Intermediate
Method Baking
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 12 pieces
Calories 503kcal
Author Kaleb

Ingredients

For the applesauce cake

  • 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar lightly packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups applesauce
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp kosher salt

For the caramel frosting

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar lightly packed
  • 2 tbsp whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup walnuts toasted and chopped

Instructions

For the applesauce cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 9-inch cake pan with nonstick spray. Line with parchment and spray again. Then, set it aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter, white granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing in between each until incorporated.
  • Mix in applesauce. The batter will seem very loose and curdled, but that is completely normal.
  • Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt. Mix until just combined, 2 minutes.
  • Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a spatula to scrape the bottom of tje bowl, ensuring the batter is mixed evenly.
  • Pour into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean, about 35-45 minutes. While the cake is cooling, make the frosting.

For the frosting

  • In a 4-quart saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and milk. Melt on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Continue to cook until the mixture begins to boil and boil lightly for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 10-15 minutes.
  • Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth and thick.
  • Once the cake is completely cool, frost the cake. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts if desired.

Video

Notes

  • To maintain freshness, this cake freezes well in an airtight container up to one month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 503kcal

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