Applesauce Cake with Brown Butter Maple Buttercream Recipe

This Applesauce Cake with Brown Butter Maple Buttercream is a moist and spicy recipe, which is made with rich brown butter and chunky applesauce. It’s the perfect fall dessert, a crowd-pleasing sheet cake that’s easy to make, ready in about an hour, plus cooling time.

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Applesauce Cake with Brown Butter Maple Buttercream Ingredients

A classic combination for a perfectly moist and flavorful fall cake.

For the Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. apple pie spice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups chunky applesauce
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional, plus more for garnish
• Baking spray with flour

For the Brown Butter Maple Buttercream:

• 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup real maple syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

How To Make Applesauce Cake with Brown Butter Maple Buttercream

A step-by-step guide to this wonderfully moist and easy-to-make cake.

1. Prep Oven and Make Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray with flour. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, apple pie spice, and both sugars.
2. Combine and Bake: To the dry ingredients, add the applesauce, oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk everything together until just thoroughly combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the chopped walnuts, if using.
3. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
4. Make the Brown Butter Frosting: While the cake cools, brown the butter. Melt the butter in a medium, light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling the pan, for 3-5 minutes until it foams and the milk solids at the bottom turn a deep golden brown and smell nutty. Immediately pour it into a heatproof bowl and let it cool completely to room temperature, about 2 hours.
5. Finish the Frosting and Decorate: Once the brown butter has cooled and solidified, beat it with a hand mixer until creamy. Add the powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and heavy cream. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
6. Frost and Serve: Spread the frosting over the top of the completely cooled cake. Top with more chopped walnuts, if you like. Slice and serve.

Recipe Tips

For the most moist, flavorful applesauce cake every time.

• How to get a super moist cake? The combination of vegetable oil and applesauce in this recipe is the secret. They both contribute to an incredibly moist and tender crumb that stays fresh for days.
• How to brown butter perfectly? The key is to use a light-colored saucepan so you can see the color change. Cook it over medium heat, swirling it frequently. When it foams up and you see golden-brown specks at the bottom and smell a nutty aroma, it’s done. Remove it from the heat immediately to prevent it from burning.
• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this cake is fantastic for making a day in advance. The flavor of the cake will only get better. It’s best to make the frosting and frost the cake on the day you plan to serve it for the freshest flavor.
• Why use room temperature ingredients? Using room temperature eggs and milk is important for a smooth, well-emulsified batter. This helps to create a cake with a fine, even texture and prevents it from being dense.

What To Serve With Applesauce Cake

This sweet, spiced cake is a complete dessert on its own.

A slice of this classic fall cake is a star at any potluck or family gathering. It’s wonderful served with:

• A hot cup of black coffee or a spiced chai latte
• A tall, cold glass of milk
• A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent dessert

How To Store Applesauce Cake

Keeping your cake fresh and moist.

• Refrigerate: Because of the butter and cream in the frosting, this cake should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator. It will stay moist and delicious for up to 5 days. For the best flavor and texture, let slices sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before serving.

Applesauce Cake with Brown Butter Maple Buttercream Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per slice.

• Calories: 550 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 75 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 28 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

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