"pumpkin patch" pumpkin spice cake

Ingredients For "pumpkin patch" pumpkin spice cake

• 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
• 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