Monday, June 21, 2010

Applesauce Spice Cake

Can you tell I've had some free time on my hands? After making all the edits on my thesis, filling out a hundred forms about my graduate school experience, and setting up my meeting to officially submit my thesis (tomorrow at 10am!), I spent a few hours pimping up this blog. You like? Suggestions anyone?

I also thought and thought about what to write for this post. I know I have been trying to advocate local and seasonal recipes here on CCT, and as much as I try to eat locally and seasonally, I have a little confession everyone. Here goes...I eat apples. Every. Single. Day. Of the year. Just about. Fall? Yes, of course. Winter? Sure, cold storage apples are pretty awesome too. But then, I also eat apples in the spring...and summer (gasp!). Not sure why -- just trying to keep the doctor away, I guess.

And hence, the apples in the background of this picture. But here's the thing about this recipe...it doesn't call for apples, it calls for applesauce. So even if you abide by all the local and seasonal rules, you can still enjoy this cake all year long.

I'm not sure what prompted me to make this very autumn-esque cake in the middle of June. I was craving something sweet and spicy and nutty, and this just fit the bill. Maybe it was the countless number of yummy looking cake recipes I've been seeing on Grace's lovely site. Maybe I was just longing for Fall. Maybe I'm trying to use up what seems like hundreds of jars of Trader Joe's applesauce before I prepare for my big move across the country. Whatever the reason, I made this cake, and it made me happy.

Applesauce Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (adapted from Joy of Cooking, makes about 12 servings)

*This cake was very spicy and moist, but a bit dense. I think next time I will increase the oil to 1/2 cup and reduce the flour by about 1/4 cup.

For cake:
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup sifted whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup oil (I used canola)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup buttermilk or yogurt (I used a mix)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup chopped walnuts

For Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 8oz package cream cheese
2 tablespoons softened butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make cake:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted flours, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, using a mixer on high speed, beat together the oil and sugar for about 3 minutes.
4. Set the speed to low, and beat in the egg. Stir in the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the applesauce. Do not overmix. Finally, stir in the walnuts.
5. Scrape batter into pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once cool, top with cream cheese frosting.

To make frosting:
In a large bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually beat in the sugar until smooth. Beat in vanilla extract.

16 comments:

  1. I love the changes!!! I first noticed the header, which is too cool! Look at you!

    Good luck to you tomorrow morning! I'm so excited for you. I cannot wait to know how it feels to be D-O-N-E!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I forgot to comment about the cake hahaha! First, your photos look great! This cake looks yummy. I think I'm going to try out this recipe with your modifications. I don't believe in letting the weather and seasons influence what I eat. If I get a craving for something, I just make it! :) Bookmarking this recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't care what time of year it is, applesauce spice cake is always in season! It looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dude, you and I BOTH. I eat apples year round and I love it. And I don't plan on apologizing for it. Ever. This cake sounds amazing! Love the fall flavors...they are kinda sorta my favorite anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Blog looks great. Love your header! Plus the applesauce cake looks like something I would like to make. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your pimp hand is strong, Ms. Meanie. The blog looks awesome. Great header, too.

    I'll have a piece of that scrumptious apple cake, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. i think your blog looks great--very crisp and clean! also lookin' good is this cake--that thick layer of cream cheese frosting has stolen my heart. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Apples should be enjoyed all year round (especially pink ladies.) And I get cinnamon cravings in the middle of Summer too, just as I have longings for ice cream in Winter.
    This cake is beautiful! I love it when the frosting and cake are contrasting in colour. And the new blog layout is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my Gosh, Ms. Meanie, this is like my ideal dessert. I love it. The cake sounds and looks so delicious, and I bet it's a perfect tea time cake. Oh, and I eat seasonal but applesauce and stored goods are always allowed.
    By the way, your site looks so nice now. It was a tad bit different yesterday, and the measurements are now perfect today. I declare this blog 'properly pimped'!

    ReplyDelete
  10. HON-NEY! Your site always looked great and still looks even better! Love it! And love ur cake. Applesauce is the bomb. Woo!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been craving applesauce cake for two months and your post has inspired me to make it! This looks so moist and yummy. I bet it was.

    Cool header!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Doesn't matter what time of year it is, apples are IN! And your cake looks moist and delicious.

    Your site looks gorgeous too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a very lovely cake and I must agree with you....chocolate chips DO make everything better.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh I've made this before! But I made my own applesauce. :-)

    I also love your new layout! So clean and crisp and easy to read!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I made this today and it was AMAZING! We don't like nuts, so I threw them in the food processor and sneaked them in :) No one was the wiser, and everyone loved it! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete