Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
¼ teaspoon allspice
1 cup unsweetened applesauce (or 2 grated apples)
½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
½ cup sour cream
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
For the Frosting:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup brown sugar
2½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 13×18-inch half-sheet pan (or 9×13 for thicker cake).
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
3. In another bowl, whisk together oil, sour cream, eggs, vanilla, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
4. Fold dry ingredients into wet until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Stir in applesauce or grated apples.
6. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 22–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Let cake cool slightly before frosting.
9. Prepare frosting: Beat butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar until smooth. Add vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and powdered sugar.
10. Spread frosting over warm or fully cooled cake. Slice and serve.
Notes
Use unsweetened applesauce for a smoother texture or freshly grated apples for extra fruit pieces.
Don’t overmix — this keeps the crumb tender.
Frosting can be applied while cake is slightly warm for a glaze-like effect.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts for texture.
Store covered at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg