Secret Recipes

Iowa Applesauce Cake

Iowa Applesauce Cake
  • 1/2 cup margarine or butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups applesauce
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter or margarine for 30 seconds. Add both sugars and egg; beat until combined. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices. Add flour mixture alternately with applesauce to butter mixture. Stir in raisins and nuts. Pour batter into a greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan and spread evenly.

Bake at 350° F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 6 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

Beat together cream cheese, softened butter or margarine and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 2 cups of the confectioners' sugar. Beat in remaining 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar to make a spreadable frosting. Spread on cake.

For a decorative finish, set a doily lightly on frosted cake and sprinkle lightly with a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg. Carefully remove the doily.

Servings:
12