Applesauce Cake

Cake:
1/2 cup butter, margarine or shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1-1/2 cups applesauce
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Cream cheese frosting:

2 - 3 ounce packages softened cream cheese (note: A butter frosting could be used instead of cream cheese).

1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
2-1/2 to 2-3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
Cake: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, margarine or shortening for 30 seconds. Add the sugars and egg; beat until combined. Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices. Add flour mixture alternately with applesauce to butter mixture. Stir in raisins and nuts. Pour batter into a greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan, spreading evenly. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.


Cream cheese frosting: Beat together cream cheese, butter or margarine and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar to make a spreadable frosting.


Note: For a decorated finish, set a doily lightly on the frosted cake and sprinkle lightly with a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg. Carefully remove the doily.