Dec. 11, 2023

Apple Gingerbread Snack Cake

Yield: 9 servings

This apple ginger molasses cake is a soft, spiced dessert made with Cosmic Crisp® apples, rich molasses, and warm baking spices. The combination of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves creates a deep, balanced flavor, while the apples add moisture and natural sweetness to the tender crumb. Finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting, this easy snack cake delivers a rich, comforting bite in every slice. Perfect for everyday baking or a simple dessert, this classic spiced cake has a fresh apple twist.

A spiced apple snack cake topped with cream cheese frosting, perfect for a simple dessert or cozy treat.

Ingredients

Cake 

  • 1 ¼ cup Cosmic Crisp® apples, peeled & chopped
  • ½ cup dark unsulphured molasses,
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
     
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup + 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 2 tablespoons of salted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces of cream cheese
  • 2 - 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ tablespoon vanilla bean paste or extract

Directions

Cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Grease and line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
  3. Combine the molasses, sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Whisk to combine.
  5. Add the all-purpose flour on top of the wet ingredients.
  6. Pour the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the flour.
  7. Use a fork to combine the dry ingredients.
     
  8. Fold the wet and dry ingredients with a spatula to form a thick cake batter.
  9. Add the diced Cosmic Crisp and fold into the batter.
  10. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan.
  11. Place on the middle rack and bake at 350°F for 36-39 minutes.
  12. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes.
  13. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting and slicing.

Frosting

  1. Beat the butter and cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth and
    lighter in color.
  2. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time. Beat for 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed until fluffy.
  3. Mix in the vanilla bean paste once the sugar has been incorporated.
  4. Hand mix for 1 minute to create fluffy, firm peaks.
  5. Spread on the cooled snack cake.
  6. Decorate with apple slices.
  7. Enjoy!

Recipe created by @TyBerryMuch for Superfresh Growers.

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