Vanilla Applesauce Cake with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

Vanilla Applesauce Cake 

• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) baking powder
• 2 teaspoons (4 grams) ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon (3 grams) kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking soda
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 grams) unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup (120 grams) whole buttermilk, room temperature
• ½ cup (112 grams) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs (100 grams)
• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) Heilala Pure Vanilla Extract
• Vanilla Bean Frosting (recipe follows)

Vanilla Bean Frosting

• 225 grams cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon (18 grams) Heilala Vanilla Bean Paste
• ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) kosher salt

Vanilla Applesauce Cake

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line bottom of a 23cm springform pan with baking paper; lightly spray sides of pan with baking spray with flour. 
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, ginger, and cloves. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, applesauce, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Pour sugar mixture into flour mixture, and fold until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with an offset spatula.
3. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack. Spread Vanilla Bean Frosting on cooled cake. 

Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese at medium-low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add butter, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, 1 cup (120 grams) at a time, beating well after each addition. Increase mixer speed to medium-high. Add vanilla bean paste and salt. Increase mixer speed to medium-high, and beat for 2 minutes. Use immediately.