Applesauce Cake Recipe That’s Moist and Spiced

Applesauce Cake Recipe That’s Moist and Spiced

Moist Applesauce Cake is the answer when you’re craving something homemade, easy, and full of flavor. A few simple ingredients come together to make a tender cake everyone loves. It’s the kind of cake that makes your kitchen smell amazing and invites everyone to wander in for a piece.

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Why You Will Love This Applesauce Cake

This applesauce cake is tender, moist, and flavored with warm spices. It is simple to make, delicious with or without toppings, and a wonderful way to enjoy applesauce in baking.

• It has a moist texture from applesauce, oil, and brown sugar
• Spiced with cinnamon and cloves for cozy fall flavor
• Easy to adapt for dietary needs
• Perfect dessert for gatherings or everyday enjoyment

Simple ingredients for Applesauce Cake that you probably already have

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Baking powder and baking soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon and cloves
• Eggs
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Vegetable oil
• Raisins
• Chopped nuts

Ingredient Substitutions

• Use a gluten-free all-purpose blend for a gluten-free version

• Replace eggs with flax eggs for vegan baking

• Swap raisins for dried cranberries or omit them

• Choose walnuts, pecans, or almonds for the nut option

Topping Ideas

• Homemade caramel sauce drizzled over the cooled cake

• Simple glaze made with powdered sugar, butter, and milk

• Light dusting of powdered sugar for everyday serving

• Whipped cream or ice cream when serving guests

Variations

Gluten Free Applesauce Cake

• Use a gluten-free baking blend

• Add xanthan gum if your flour blend does not contain it

Vegan Applesauce Cake

• Replace eggs with flax or chia eggs

• Use non-dairy milk and vegan butter in the glaze

Flavor Variations

• Add a grated apple for extra texture

• Increase spices or add nutmeg and allspice

• Use dark brown sugar for deeper caramel notes

Baking Tips to Prevent Problems

• To prevent sticking: grease and flour the pan well or use baking spray with flour

• To prevent a dense cake: measure flour accurately and mix only until combined

• To prevent an underbaked center: use the correct pan size, fully preheat the oven, and test with a toothpick before removing

Serving and Storage

• Serve with coffee, tea, or warm apple cider

• Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days

• Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for longer storage

Applesauce cake is a classic recipe with the comforting taste of apples and spice. It is versatile, easy to make, and a welcome treat throughout the year.

How to make Applesauce Cake Recipe That’s Moist and Spiced

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan or a 9×13-inch baking pan. Chop 1 cup pecans (or walnuts).

In a large bowl, add 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.

Whisk until thoroughly combined.

In another bowl, add 2 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce, and 1/2 cup oil.

With mixer, beat until combined.

Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and begin to beat.

Increase speed and beat 3 minutes.

Dump in 1 cup raisins and the 1 cup chopped nuts.

Fold in with a spatula. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. 

Bake 40-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  For a 9×13 pan, begin checking at 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Invert cake onto a dish or cake plate and allow to cool completely.

Serving Suggestions

• Dust with powdered sugar for a simple finish.

• Drizzle with caramel or a light glaze for extra sweetness.

• Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream for dessert.

Frosting the applesauce cake

If using the microwave method to prepare the caramel sauce, you can make it while the cake bakes. If you make it prior, warm the caramel sauce at a low setting in the microwave, stirring between short intervals, just until soft enough to pour or spread onto the cooled cake.

Alternatively, you can use purchased caramel sauce or  simply sprinkle to cake with confectioners sugar or make the frosting recipe below.

Applesauce Cake Recipe That’s Moist and Spiced

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  

Applesauce Cake Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 15 oz jar unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup raisins (optional)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) walnuts or pecans work well

Frosting Ingredients

• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/2 tsp. butter melted
• dash salt
• enough cream or milk for desired spreading consistency.

Instructions

 

Applesauce Cake Directions

Prepare the Batter

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan or a 9×13-inch baking pan.
• In a bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
• In a mixer bowl, beat eggs, applesauce, and oil to combine.
• With the mixer on low, add dry ingredients and beat. Increase speed and beat 3 minutes.
• Fold in raisins and nuts (if desired).

Bake the Cake

• Bundt pan: Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• 9×13 pan: Begin checking at 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Finishing the Applesauce Cake

• When cake is completely cool, pour Homemade Caramel Sauce on top, spread on frosting or sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve with whipped cream.

Frosting Directions

• Stir all ingredients in small bowl. Spread or drizzle on cooled cake.

Notes

Serving Suggestions

• Dust with powdered sugar for a simple finish.
• Drizzle with caramel or a light glaze for extra sweetness.
• Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream for dessert.

Homemade CaramelMaking your own Caramel Sauce is much easier than you think and the taste is amazing. I share three methods to make delicious caramel on the stove top, in the oven and my favorite, in the microwave. Click the link to see the post. Besides topping applesauce cake, it is yummy on ice cream, sliced apples and apple pie.

You could, if you’re just not up to making your own caramel, use purchased caramel topping or sprinkle the cake with confectioners sugar. Below is a nice glaze option but I have to tell you, the caramel sauce is a real winner in my opinion. 🙂 

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