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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until thoroughly integrated.
- Cream butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a fluffy texture.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, blending after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract until the batter achieves a smooth consistency.
- 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.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly with a spatula to ensure consistent baking.
- Bake for 35-50 minutes, depending on pan type, monitoring until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean without wet batter.
- Remove from oven and let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- 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