As the name suggests, this gorgeous applesauce cake is loaded with sweet fruit puree.
It’s also brimming with delicious fall spices, chewy raisins, and crunchy walnuts. Yum!
This cake is ultra-fluffy, and, thanks to the applesauce, it’s also ridiculously moist. With its perfectly balanced flavors and textures, this cake has it all!
Best of all, it’s so easy to make. All you’ll need is one bowl.
And once it’s in the oven, the aroma is to die for!
So if you’re looking for a delicious, hearty, and cozy cake that’s also a breeze to make, this applesauce cake is the answer.
Why You’ll Love This Applesauce Cake
With the applesauce and spices, this is one of my favorite fall cake recipes.
But it’s so heavenly, you’ll crave it all year.
I mean, how can you resist the flavors of apples, cinnamon, and cloves in a soft, fluffy, and moist cake?
Plus, it’s super quick to whip up, and you don’t even need to worry about decorations. Just dust it with powdered sugar, and dig in!
Ingredients
Other than the walnuts, this recipe calls for all pantry staples:
- Butter – This adds moisture and richness to the cake. A mild-flavored oil such as vegetable or coconut oil works too.
- Granulated Sugar – For a perfectly sweet cake. You can also use brown sugar for a deeper flavor and a moister cake.
- Applesauce – Unlike other ingredients that you’ll want to use at room temperature, the applesauce has to be chilled for this recipe.
- Flour – All-purpose flour is best, but you can also use whole wheat flour for a healthier cake. The cake will still be nice and fluffy.
- Baking Soda – The leavening agent in charge of making the batter rise into a super-fluffy cake.
- Ground Cinnamon and Cloves – For that warming autumn flavor. You can’t go wrong with the flavor combination of apples, cinnamon, and cloves!
- Raisins – For more sweetness and chewy texture contrast.
- Walnuts – For that wonderful crunch.
Tips for the Best Cake
The question I always get asked when making recipes with applesauce is, “sweetened or unsweetened?”.
I always use unsweetened so I can adjust the sugars as needed. But if all you have is sweetened, that’s fine! Just be sure to reduce the sugar in the recipe.
Want some more tips? I’ve got you covered:
- Use smooth and thick applesauce for the recipe. If yours has chunks in it, blend it in a food processor until smooth. And if it’s watery, drain it in cheesecloth first.
- Line the baking pan with parchment. The butter and flour method works well, and the cake won’t stick. But parchment is way easier and makes clean-up a breeze.
- Check the cake after 30 minutes. Oven temps vary, so it’s best to check it early than to let it over-bake.
- Change the mix-ins as you like. This spiced applesauce cake works well with dried fruits, coconut, and even chocolate chips!
How to Store
To store: Place the cooled applesauce cake in an airtight container, with a paper towel on top. Leave it on the countertop for up to a week.
To freeze: Wrap the whole cake or slices individually with plastic wrap parchment paper. Place them in Ziplock bags and freeze them for up to 6 months.
To thaw: Take the cake or slices out of the freezer bag and leave them in the fridge overnight.
How to Serve Applesauce Cake
This applesauce cake is already amazing as it is. But there are ways to dress it up for more flavor and a prettier look.
Here are some ideas:
- Dust it with powdered sugar. It’s so easy, but it adds such a nice charm to the cake.
- Drizzle it with honey. Its thick, syrupy consistency adds a nice contrast to the moist and fluffy cake.
- Top it with sugar glaze. Just mix half a cup of powdered sugar and a tablespoon of milk until smooth, then drizzle it over the top.
- Slather it with cream cheese frosting. Beat half a cup of butter with 8 ounces of cream cheese until smooth. Add in 2 to 3 cups of powdered sugar, then spread it over the top.
Can I Make Applesauce Muffins With This?
Totally! You can use the very same recipe to make muffins:
- Portion the batter into muffin liners, filling them about 2/3 full.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 to 20 minutes or until the tops are golden.
- Insert a toothpick into the center to check for doneness. It should come out clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
This recipe makes 12 muffins.
More Apple Recipes to Try
Granny Smith Apple Pie
Apple Strudel Recipe
Apple Coffee Cake
Apple Strudel Muffins
Applesauce Cake
12
servings15
minutes40
minutes270
kcalAs the name suggests, this gorgeous applesauce cake is loaded with sweet fruit puree. It’s also brimming with delicious fall spices and chewy raisins. Yum!
Ingredients
½ cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup applesauce, chilled
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter. Dust with flour or add a layer of parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the applesauce and beat until well blended.
- Add the egg and mix to incorporate.
- Stir in the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves until almost fully combined.
- Add in the raisins and walnuts, then mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Serve warm or cold, and enjoy!
Notes
- Check the cake after 30 minutes. Oven temps vary, so it’s best to check it early than to let it over-bake.
Nutrition
- Calories: 270kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40.2g
- Protein: 4.2g
- Fat: 11.3g
- Saturated Fat: 5.2g
- Cholesterol: 34mg
- Sodium: 61mg
- Potassium: 117mg
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Sugar: 22.5g
- Calcium: 14mg
- Iron: 1mg
