Ingredients

The following ingredients have 14 Servings
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 2/3 cups sugar
  • 2 cups flour*
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 4 1/2 cups apples (peeled and chopped (I use Fuji or Honeycrisp))
  • 1/2 cup salted butter ( softened to room temp)
  • 16 oz regular cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 lb powder sugar
  • 1-2 TB milk (as needed)

Instruction

  • Prepare: Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Grease a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
  • Combine: In a large bowl, combine the oil, applesauce, vanilla, and eggs. Using a hand whisk, mix until well combined and smooth. Add the sugar and whisk until combined.
  • Fold: Gently add remaining ingredients and stir with wooden spatula (it's a thick batter) until just combined and no flour streaks remain. Do not over-mix. Use rubber spatula to gently fold in apples. Scrape batter evenly into your prepared baking dish, ensuring batter spreads evenly into the corners. Bake 35-45 min or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with few tender crumbs attached. Let cool to room temp.
  • Make Frosting: Meanwhile, make Cream Cheese Frosting (if using.) In a bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, and vanilla, beating until smooth. Add powder sugar and gently mix in until incorporated. Add a bit of milk as needed to reach desired consistency. Transfer to a Ziploc baggie, press air out, and seal. Snip off a bit of the corner and drizzle onto cooled apple cake.