"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
• 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