Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray (the kind with flour in it - like Baker's Joy.)
Using a stand mixer or an electric mixer, cream together the butter and the sugar until fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and the egg. Blend in the apple butter.
Slowly add the flour, baking soda, salt and spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.) When everything is mixed, pour the batter into your loaf pan.
Bake for about 55 minutes until it is risen and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely on a rack before frosting.
For the frosting:
Beat the cream cheese with the vanilla and then add 1 1/2 cups of the powdered sugar and beat until smooth and creamy. Add a little more sugar if it's not as thick as you like.
Spread a thick layer of the frosting over the gingerbread cake. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts (optional). Then slice and serve!
Video
Notes
If you only have salted butter, just leave out the additional salt in the recipe.
You can substitute applesauce for the apple butter in the recipe but I think you lose some of the moistness in the bread.