Apple Spice Cake with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Course: Dessert | Serves: 16
Apple spice and everything nice cake with a salted caramel cream cheese frosting. The cake has a tender crumb and is so flavorfully delicious. The cream cheese frosting is tangy-licious with soft swirls of salted caramel running through it. Thoroughly inspired by Maria @ Two Peas and Their Pod https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/apple-spice-cake/
2 ½ cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¾ teaspoon ground allspice
¾ teaspoon ground cloves
1 ½ cups brown sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup olive oil
½ cup buttermilk
4 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 granny smith apple, grated
Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Flaky sea salt, a pinch
½ cup caramel, store bought or homemade (linked below)
Preheat oven to 350*. Butter or spray oil a 9.13 baking dish and set it aside. In a stand mixer, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, allspice, cloves, and brown sugar. Add applesauce, olive oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and grated apple. Stir until the mixture just comes together. Spread evenly into the prepared dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is browned and a toothpick inserted comes out batter free, or registers a minimum of 200° when tested with an instant thermometer. Allow the cake to cool completely while making the frosting.
In a stand mixer, whip butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth, 2-3 minutes. Stir in vanilla until incorporated.
Using a spatula, smooth the frosting over the cake evenly. Spoon caramel in thick swirls through the frosting, creating a ribbon-like effect. Sprinkle with sea salt, slice and serve.
