Iowa Applesauce Cake

Ingredients

Cake

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

Cream Cheese Frosting

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

Instructions

1. Cake: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds.
2. Add both sugars and egg; beat until combined.
3. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices.
4. Add flour mixture alternately with applesauce to butter mixture.
5. Stir in raisins and nuts.
6. Pour batter into a greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan and spread evenly.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean.
8. Cool in pan on wire rack.
9. Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together cream cheese, softened butter and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
10. Gradually beat in 2 cups of the confectioners' sugar.
11. Beat in remaining 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar to make a spreadable frosting. Spread on cake.
12. For a decorative finish, set a doily lightly on frosted cake and sprinkle lightly with a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg.
13. Carefully remove the doily.