Applesauce Snack Cake With Brown Sugar Frosting

Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13- x 9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. Place apple in a medium-size microwaveable bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; microwave on HIGH until softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer apple and any liquid to a food processor or blender, and puree until smooth, 20 to 30 seconds. Let cool 10 minutes. (You should have 2 cups pureed apple.)

Whisk together brown sugar, oil, ginger, cinnamon, lime zest, vanilla, eggs, and pureed apple in a large bowl until combined. Whisk in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt just until combined. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 28 to 32 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely in pan, about 1 hour.

Prepare the Frosting: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium. Stir in brown sugar, and bring to boil. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Stir in milk, and return to a boil. Remove from heat, and whisk in powdered sugar and salt until smooth and thickened. If mixture is too thick, add hot water until mixture is desired consistency. Spread frosting over cooled cake; garnish with chopped pecans.