"pumpkin patch" pumpkin spice cake

Ingredients

• CAKE:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 1 1/4 cups light or dark brown sugar, i use dark
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup solid pack pumpkin, about half of a 15 oz. can
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups sifted cake flour, sift first then measure
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, ground
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
• 8 oz. cream cheese, room temp
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 1 Tbl. good maple syrup
• 5-6 cups powdered sugar, sifted, as much or little as needed