Autumn Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 cups

all-purpose flour

1 tsp

baking powder

1 tsp

baking soda

1/2 tsp

salt

2 1/2 tsp

ground cinnamon

1 tsp

ground nutmeg

1 tsp

ground ginger

1/2 tsp

allspice

1/4 tsp

ground cloves

1 3/4 cups

packed light-brown sugar

3/4 cup

vegetable oil

3/4 cup

unsweetened applesauce

large eggs

2 tsp

vanilla extract

1 cup

buttermilk

1 cup

chopped pecans ((optional))

12 oz

cream cheese (, nearly at room temperature)

1/2 cup

unsalted butter ((4 oz), nearly at room temperature)

3 1/2 cups

powdered sugar

1/2 tsp

vanilla extract