Spiced Apple Cream Cake Bars
Delightfully moist and aromatic, these Spiced Apple Cream Cake Bars whisk you back to childhood memories with every bite. Infused with warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, this cake is complemented by the sweetness of applesauce and raisins. The creamy frosting, made with softened cream cheese, adds a luscious finish to these cake bars, making them perfect for any occasion—from family gatherings to casual afternoon tea. Enjoy the perfect balance of flavors and textures in this nostalgic treat.
8
Servings
400
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
2 cups (all-purpose, sifted)
sugar
1 1/2 cups (granulated)
baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons (no preparation)
cocoa powder
1 tablespoon (unsweetened)
cinnamon
1 teaspoon (ground)
salt
1 teaspoon (no preparation)
nutmeg
1 teaspoon (ground)
allspice
1 teaspoon (ground)
vegetable oil
1/2 cup (no preparation)
applesauce
2 cups (unsweetened)
eggs
2 (large, beaten)
raisins
1 cup (plumped in warm water if desired)
cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
butter
4 tablespoons (softened)
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (no preparation)
confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 cups (sifted)
milk
1/3 cup (no preparation)
fresh lemon or lime juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and allspice until well combined.
3
In a separate bowl, mix the vegetable oil, applesauce, and beaten eggs until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
4
Fold in the raisins gently, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (for a tube pan, bake for 40-45 minutes).
6
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
7
For the frosting, in a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and confectioners' sugar. Beat well until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
8
Gradually add in the milk and lemon or lime juice, adjusting the consistency with more milk or sugar until smooth and spreadable.
9
Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting on top, slice into bars, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
16g
Fat
60g
Carbs
4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Apple Cream Cake Bars?
They are moist and aromatic cake bars made with warm spices, applesauce, and raisins, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.
What spices are used in this recipe?
This recipe features ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for a warm flavor profile.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
The recipe is designed to produce 8 servings.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What size baking pan should I use?
A 9x13 inch baking pan is recommended for these bars.
How long should the cake bars bake?
Bake the bars for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Can I bake this recipe in a tube pan?
Yes, if using a tube pan, you should increase the baking time to 40 to 45 minutes.
What type of flour is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
How much sugar is in the cake batter?
The batter requires 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar.
Does this recipe contain cocoa powder?
Yes, it includes 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder.
What provides the apple flavor in these bars?
The apple flavor and moisture come from 2 cups of unsweetened applesauce.
How should the raisins be prepared?
The recipe uses 1 cup of raisins, which can be plumped in warm water before adding if desired.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe uses 2 large, beaten eggs.
What kind of oil is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
What are the ingredients for the frosting?
The frosting is made of cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, confectioners' sugar, milk, and lemon or lime juice.
How much cream cheese is needed for the frosting?
You will need 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
Can I use lime juice instead of lemon juice in the frosting?
Yes, the recipe allows for 1 tablespoon of either fresh lemon or lime juice.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 16 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each bar?
Each serving contains 60 grams of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each bar provides 4 grams of protein.
Is baking soda used in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda.
How much vanilla is added to the frosting?
The frosting recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
How do I prepare the pan?
Grease the pan or line it with parchment paper before pouring in the batter.
Should the cake be cooled before frosting?
Yes, allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before applying the frosting.
How is the frosting consistency adjusted?
You can adjust the consistency by adding more milk to thin it or more sugar to thicken it until it is spreadable.
How do I know the cake is finished baking?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What type of sugar is used for the frosting?
The frosting requires 2 1/2 cups of sifted confectioners' sugar.
Is there salt in the recipe?
Yes, the cake batter includes 1 teaspoon of salt.
What is the classification of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a Bar Cookie or dessert bar.