Apple Spice Cake with Apple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Instructions

Making the cake

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with vegetable cooking spray and line bottoms with parchment. Spray again then dust with flour.

3. Mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large bowl. Mix applesauce, milk, and eggs in a small bowl.

4. Beat softened butter into dry ingredients with a mixer. Start first on low, then increase to medium until the mixture forms pebble-sized pieces.

5. Add apple sauce mixture into dry ingredients in 3 stages, beating first on low, then increasing speed to medium until a thick but smooth dough forms. Beat in sugar just until incorporated, about 30 seconds.

6. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the cake's center comes out clean, for about 40 minutes.

7. Set pans on a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the pan perimeter and invert cakes onto a wire rack. Let cool completely.

Making the frosting

1. Melt apple butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until reduced to 1 cup (about 10 minutes). Cool to room temperature.

2. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in confectioner's sugar, cooled apple butter mixture and cinnamon until light and fluffy. Frosting should be soft.

Assembling the whole cake

1. Split each cake into 2 layers by cutting around the perimeter with a serrated knife, sawing across the middle to complete the cut.

2. Place the first layer on a cake plate and spread 1/2 cup apple butter to within 1/4-inch of edge. Top with another layer and spread the top with 1 cup frosting.

3. Repeat this layering process with the remaining layers. After topping with the final layer, frost the sides and top of the cake. If desired, swirl frosting on top of the cake and serve.