Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup

salted butter, (room temperature)

1 cup

sugar

1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

egg

1 cup

applesauce, (or apple butter)

1 1/2 cups

all-purpose flour

1 tsp

baking soda

2 tsp

ground ginger

2 tsp

ground cinnamon

1 tsp

ground cloves

1/2 tsp

nutmeg

chopped walnuts, (for topping (optional))

4 oz

cream cheese (1/2 block), (room temperature)

1 tsp

vanilla extract

1 cup

powdered sugar