Preheat your oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan.

Mix the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Combine the wet ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, molasses, applesauce, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.

Combine and mix
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as the batter is smooth.

Bake the cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool completely
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool fully before frosting.

Make the frosting
In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, cinnamon, molasses, and milk until smooth and creamy. Add more milk if needed for spreading.

Frost the cake
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake using a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Serve and enjoy
Slice and enjoy! Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.