Autumn is my favorire season and I strongly object to how short it always is. It feels like it is slipping away from me and I have yet to snap a decent picture of an orange leaf. I refuse to conform to Winter, which is why I will bake Fall recipes and consume pumpkin in various forms until I am ready to move on; or until snow makes itself evident and bone-chilling winds force me to wear ear-warmers and then I will no longer be able to pretend. So bring it on Winter (or not).
Spiced Applesauce Cake
Adapted from Martha Stewart
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INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups applesauce
- 2 Tbs confectioners’ sugar (optional)
Whipped Cream
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 Tbs confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbs vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
For the cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In another bowl, with an electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, and honey until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Beat in the applesauce. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture; beat just until combined.
- Generously coat a nonstick 9-inch pan with cooking spray. Spoon batter into pan; smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (but slightly wet), about 60 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Turn out of pan onto a cutting board or baking sheet; invert cake onto rack, top side up. Cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving, if desired.
For the whipped cream
- Beat the heavy cream in a large bowl on medium for 2 minutes. Turn the mixer to high and beat for another 5 minutes or until stiff peaks begin to form.
- Add the sugar and continue beating for another minute. Then add the confectioners’ sugar and beat for another minute or so to incorporate. Finally, add the vanilla and beat until incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Enjoy!
