Copy Cat Starbucks Gingerbread

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup

unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup

sugar

1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

large egg, room temperature

1 cup

applesauce (or pear sauce, or apple butter) I used a 15 oz can of pears, drained and pureed

1 1/2 cups

flour

1 tsp

baking soda

1 tsp

salt

2 tsp

ground ginger

2 tsp

ground cinnamon

1 tsp

ground cloves

1/2 tsp

freshly grated nutmeg

cream cheese frosting

8 oz

cream cheese, at room temperature

1 tsp

vanilla extract

2 cups

confectioner's sugar