Happy autumn! Here’s one of my favorite cake recipes, a real indulgence and a favorite as the leaves turn color and the temperatures cool. I love it with maple buttercream frosting, recipe below. Soooo good.

I try to use my own homemade applesauce. There’s nothing quite like writing away with applesauce bubbling on the stove and a fire in the woodstove. Just can’t get too absorbed in the writing and forget the sauce and the fire! APPLESAUCE SPICE CAKE

Ingredients

2½ c. all-purpose flour

 

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. baking powder

1½ tsp. baking soda

¾ tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground allspice

½ tsp. ground cloves

2 c. sugar (I often use a bit less)

1½ cups unsweetened applesauce (homemade if possible!)

½ cup water

½ cup butter (preferably unsalted)

2 eggs

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

¾ cup raisins (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (190°C). Butter and flour two 8″ or 9″ round cake pans or one rectangular pan.

Mix first 7 dry ingredients in medium bowl. Blend sugar, applesauce, butter, eggs and water in large bowl. Add dry ingredients and combine on low mixer speed just until blended. Turn mixer to high speed for about 3 minutes. Add optional walnuts and/or raisins by hand.

Pour batter into pans and bake. Plan on about 30-35 minutes for 9-inch layers and a bit longer for 8-inch layers; 50 to 60 minutes for a rectangular pan.

When cool, frost with maple buttercream frosting or your favorite cream-cheese frosting.

MAPLE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Ingredients

¼ cup butter (preferably unsalted)

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3 cups confectioner’s sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Directions

Blend together butter and syrup with one-third confectioner’s sugar. Continue blending alternative milk and the rest of the sugar (use as much milk as needed for consistency). Add vanilla.

Enjoy!