PA Dutch Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Apple Butter Frosting

Disclosure: This featured post originally appeared on Crafty Cooking Mama. This blogger has partnered with Kauffman’s Fruit Farm to review and post about products that they receive for free. All opinions are their own.

I am partnering with Kauffman’s Fruit Farm as a blog ambassador. I have received complimentary products from Kauffman’s Fruit Farm, however, all opinions remain completely my own.

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve teamed up with Kauffman’s Fruit Farm – a family owned & operated Lancaster County farm and market. I love living in Lancaster County and am so excited to be able to represent this wonderful local company. It’s a BIG year for Kauffman’s – they are celebrating their 100th anniversary! If you happen to be in the area, why not stop by their Orchard Celebration September 2 & September 3!?

I must admit, I talk about my home town often. I have good reason – Lancaster County is absolutely beautiful. Life is sweet, simple and almost slower here. I truly wish each and everyone of you could visit. Breathe in the fresh country air, gaze at the gorgeous scenic views and experience our rich and diverse culture for yourself.

Onto the food.

I was excited to receive my first package, The Gift Box of Orchard Samples. I ordered a combination of apples and apple butter. Now I’m willing to bet there are a lot of you who have no idea what apple butter is. Apple butter starts off as an applesauce but continues to cook down low and slow. The end result is a sweet, brown, creamy apple butter. Apple butter is a normal condiment in this area, I’ve been eating it as long as I can remember. I spread it on toast, eat it with brie or other cheeses, mix it with oatmeal and cream of wheat, bake with it, stir it into yogurt or just eat it by the spoonful. I always thought it was just a Pennsylvania thing. Although you’ll find apple butter all over, I’m guessing Pennsylvania is the only state where just about everyone knows what it is.

I figured this first month I would keep it Lancaster County style and make a simple and authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Applesauce Cake. I make this cake often, usually when I have an abundance of apples and make a big batch of applesauce. It’s a simple, delicious, non-fussy cake. That, for the record, pretty much sums up PA Dutch cooking.

I make my own applesauce for this cake and it really does make a big difference in taste. When making applesauce, I suggest a combination of sweet apples. Save your tart apples for pies and such. Sugar amounts really do depend on the sweetness of your apples. Start with lesser amounts of sugar and sweeten to taste. I have already made applesauce with apples that were so sweet I didn’t need to add any sugar.

This applesauce cake is delicious as is, with a dollop of apple butter, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. On this occasion I decided to take this sweet, simple cake up a notch and make an Apple Butter Cream Cheese Frosting. Wowzers! This frosting is so creamy and delicious! The perfect hint of apple cinnamon in a cream cheese frosting. All together – this cake could be best described as a scrumptious apple version of a carrot cake.

I look forward to creating fabulous recipes with Kauffman’s Fruit Farm each month! I hope you love this traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Applesauce Cake with a twist – the Cream Cheese Apple Butter Frosting. I’d love to hear from you and would love to hear how you eat your apple butter! Thanks for stopping by! Happy Baking :)

-Amanda-

PA Dutch Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Apple Butter Frosting

I've paired up with Kauffman's Fruit Farm to bring you this simple & delicious PA Dutch Applesauce Cake w/ Cream Cheese Apple Butter Frosting. This is the perfect fall dessert!

Author: Amanda
Recipe type: baked goods
Serves: 12-16

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 70 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients for Cake:

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon, heaping
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup lightly sweetened applesauce, store bought or homemade (basic recipe to follow)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup raisins

Ingredients for Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoon salted butter, softened
? cup Kauffman's Apple Butter
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups powdered sugar

Ingredients for Applesauce:

4 sweet apples, mixed variety is best
1 cup water
2 tablespoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions for Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease or spray a 13"x9" baking dish.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, applesauce and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
4. Combine flour mixture to applesauce mixture, stir until combined. Do not over mix.
5. Stir in raisins.
6. Spoon cake batter into baking pan (it will be thick) and bake 26 - 32 minutes. Top should be lightly golden browned and toothpick inserted in center will come out clean.
7. Cool on wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.

Instructions for Frosting:

1. In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Add in apple butter and cinnamon. Beat for an additional minute or two, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Mixing over low speed, add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a a time, mixing until smooth and combined, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
4. Continue to beat until light and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.
5. If you would like a stiffer frosting, add an additional ½ cup - ¾ cup powdered sugar.
6. Frost cake & enjoy :)

Instructions for Applesauce:

1. Peel, core and chop apples.
2. Combine apples with water, brown sugar and cinnamon in a pan.
3. Gently simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If mixture seems to be drying out, add a bit more water.
4. Using a potato masher, mash applesauce. (You could use a food mill or food processor if you don't have a masher.)
5. Taste, adjust sugar and cinnamon if necessary.
6. Simmer for another 5 - 10 minutes, mash again.

Makes about 1¼ - 1½ cups.