Active Time

　　40 min

　　Total Time

　　1 1/2 hr

　　Cloves, ginger, and turbinado sugar make this a cake you'll adore. Plus, try the frosting on a variety of baked goods for a taste of the tropics all year.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 8 to 10 servings

　　

For cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

　　1 teaspoon baking soda

　　2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

　　1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

　　1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

　　1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　1 cup turbinado sugar such as Sugar in the Raw

　　1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened

　　2 teaspoons light rum

　　1 large egg

　　1 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce

　　

For icing

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　1 cup turbinado sugar

　　6 tablespoons canned evaporated milk

　　1 teaspoon light rum

　　1 teaspoon vanilla

　　1/8 teaspoon salt

　　1/4 cup confectioners sugar

　　

Special Equipment

a 10-inch springform pan (25 cm)

　　

Make cake:

Step 1

Place oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter pan and set aside.

　　

Step 2

Whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a bowl.

　　

Step 3

Beat together sugar, butter, and rum with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until combined well, then add egg and beat until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes with a stand mixer or 5 to 6 minutes with a handheld. Reduce speed to low and add dry ingredients, mixing until combined well. Add applesauce and mix until combined well.

　　

Step 4

Spread batter evenly in springform pan and bake until a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.

　　

Step 5

Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then remove side of pan and cool completely.

　　

Make icing:

Step 6

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then add sugar and evaporated milk and simmer, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes.

　　

Step 7

Remove from heat and whisk in rum, vanilla, salt, and remaining tablespoon butter, then whisk in confectioners sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Cool to warm, about 20 minutes, then spread over cooled cake.