Homemade Applesauce Cake Recipe: Sweet & Spiced Autumn Delight

Baking an incredible applesauce cake reminds me of cozy autumn afternoons in my grandmother’s warm kitchen.

Sweet memories flood back with every slice of this nostalgic dessert.

Comfort wafts through the house as fragrant spices dance around the mixing bowl.

Moist and tender, this cake celebrates simple ingredients that come together beautifully.

Cinnamon and nutmeg whisper classic flavor notes across each delectable bite.

Home bakers adore how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal effort.

Creamy applesauce ensures a perfectly soft texture that melts in you mouth.

Grab a fork and savor every delightful crumb of this irresistible treat.

Applesauce Cake That Belongs in Every Box

• Effortlessly create a delightful dessert that brings everyone together around the table.
• Craft a delicious cake using simple, affordable ingredients found in most kitchen pantries.
• Enjoy this cake plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or dressed up with cream cheese frosting for any occasion.
• Whip up this moist, flavorful cake in under an hour, perfect for spontaneous baking adventures.

Pantry Items Required for Applesauce Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure and texture for the cake, whole wheat flour works as a healthier alternative.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Warm spices that add depth and classic autumn flavor to the cake.

• Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural sweetness, can be homemade or store-bought.
• Butter: Creates richness and helps develop a tender crumb, use unsalted for better flavor control.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds background warmth and complexity to the cake's flavor profile.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a soft, moist texture, brown sugar adds deeper caramel notes.
• Optional Mix-Ins: Walnuts, Raisins: Add texture and extra flavor dimension to the cake, can be toasted for more intense taste.

Directions for Baking Applesauce Cake at Home

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up the oven to 350F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan or bundt pan with butter and sprinkle flour lightly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cloves

Step 3: Whip Butter and Sweeteners

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture looks fluffy and light, which takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Blend Liquid Components

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with applesauce. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Optional: Fold in chopped walnuts or raisins.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer batter to prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 35-50 minutes depending on pan type. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Let cake rest in pan for 10 minutes. Move to a wire rack and cool completely. Serve as is or dust with powdered sugar. For extra indulgence, add cream cheese frosting.

Pro Tips for Flavor and Texture in Applesauce Cake

• Select Substitute Ingredients: Replace eggs with mashed banana or applesauce for a vegan version, making the cake deliciously plant-based.
• Boost Moisture Magic: Add an extra 1/4 cup of applesauce to create an incredibly soft, tender cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Customize Flavor Boost: Experiment with different spices like ginger or cardamom to create unique flavor profiles that complement the classic applesauce base.
• Control Sweetness Levels: Reduce sugar by using unsweetened applesauce and adding natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a healthier twist.
• Perfect Baking Technique: Check cake doneness early to prevent overbaking, as moisture can quickly change between 35-40 minutes of baking time.

Applesauce Cake Storage and Reheating Guidelines

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain moisture and freshness.
• Keep cake covered at room temperature for 23 days if planning to consume quickly, ensuring it stays away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to preserve for up to 3 months without losing texture or flavor.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen cake slices in the microwave for 1520 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 510 minutes until slightly warm and soft.

Pairing Ideas for Applesauce Cake Slices

• Brew a steaming cup of cinnamon tea that perfectly complements the spices in the applesauce cake, enhancing the warm, comforting flavors.
• Top the cake with a rich, homemade caramel sauce that adds a luxurious sweetness and brings out the deep, autumnal notes of the dessert.
• Add a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Pour a smooth, aromatic chai latte that mirrors the cake's warm spices and provides a complementary, cozy drinking companion.

Customizations for Applesauce Cake to Suit Any Mood

• Gluten-Free Applesauce Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Spice Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use dairy-free milk. Add extra spices for a rich, warming flavor that complements the applesauce.
• Low-Sugar Apple Cake: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated sugar. Increase applesauce quantity to maintain moisture and natural sweetness.
• Nut-Free Seasonal Version: Skip walnuts and add dried cranberries or pumpkin seeds for extra texture. Consider adding orange zest for a bright, complementary flavor profile.

Applesauce Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Warm, spiced applesauce cake delights with homemade comfort and wholesome goodness. Aromatic cinnamon and tender crumb invite cozy moments that connect family and friends around a delectable slice of pure happiness.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Wet and Sweet Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 grams) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins:

• ½ cup (60 grams) chopped walnuts or raisins

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9×13-inch or bundt pan with a light greasing and flour dusting.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until thoroughly integrated.
3. Cream butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a fluffy texture.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, blending after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract until the batter achieves a smooth consistency.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with applesauce, ensuring ingredients are just combined without overmixing. If desired, gently fold in walnuts or raisins.
6. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly with a spatula to ensure consistent baking.
7. Bake for 35-50 minutes, depending on pan type, monitoring until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean without wet batter.
8. Remove from oven and let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
9. Serve as desired – plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or adorned with cream cheese frosting for added indulgence.

Notes

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth creaming and better incorporation with sugars.
• Use unsweetened applesauce to control sweetness and prevent overly sugary cake texture.
• Avoid overmixing batter to maintain a tender, light crumb and prevent tough cake consistency.
• Customize cake by swapping nuts with chocolate chips or dried cranberries for varied flavor profiles.
• Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick near center – it should come out with minimal moist crumbs.
• Store cake covered at room temperature for 35 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
• Make cake gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a 11 gluten-free flour blend.
• Reduce sugar content by using half the recommended amount or replacing with natural sweeteners like honey.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 205
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 33 mg