A delicious, old-fashioned spiced applesauce cake with a nutty cream cheese frosting.

Applesauce Spice Cake

For Cake:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 cups applesauce

2 large eggs

3/4 cup chopped nuts

 

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/4 cup butter

1 cup chopped nuts

4 cups powdered sugar

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. For Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish; set aside.
2. Combine flour, sugar, soda, salt, baking powder, and spices into a large mixing bowl. Mix in 1/2 cup butter, buttermilk, and applesauce. Beat for 2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat in eggs. Fold in nuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake for 50 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack completely before frosting.
4. For Frosting: Melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, and add nuts. Keep stirring until nuts have browned. Cool.
5. Mix powdered sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla with electric mixer until smooth. Stir cooled pecan mixture into cream cheese mixture and mix well.

Makes 12 servings.