Homemade Apple Sauce Cake Recipe: Sweet Fall Comfort in a Bite

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen dance through my apple sauce cake recipe, filling the air with warmth and nostalgia.

Comfort baking doesn’t get more delightful than this simple yet magical dessert.

Soft, moist textures promise a delectable experience that connects generations.

Rustic ingredients come together effortlessly, creating something truly special for afternoon tea or weekend gatherings.

Pantry staples become a delicious treat that welcomes everyone to the table.

Rich flavors and subtle spices make this cake irresistible.

FAQs

• What makes apple sauce important in this cake recipe?

Apple sauce adds moisture and natural sweetness to the cake, reducing the need for additional oil or sugar while creating a tender texture.

• Can I substitute the raisins in the recipe?

Yes, you can replace raisins with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or chocolate chips depending on your preference.

• Why does the recipe use browned butter for frosting?

Browned butter develops a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the frosting, giving it a deeper and more complex taste profile.

• Is this cake considered a healthy dessert option?

While it contains fruit and nuts, the cake still has sugar and butter, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation as a treat with some nutritional benefits from apple sauce and pecans.

Old-Fashioned Apple Sauce Cake – Sweet Nostalgia in Every Bite

• Unleash Homemade Comfort: A delightful apple sauce cake that brings warmth and nostalgia to your kitchen, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings with minimal effort.
• Boost Family-Friendly Baking: Simple ingredients and straightforward instructions make this recipe an ideal project for cooking together, creating memorable moments with loved ones.
• Master Versatile Dessert: Adaptable for various occasions like potlucks, afternoon tea, or casual family gatherings, this cake serves as a crowd-pleasing treat that suits multiple settings.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows personal touches like adding different nuts, adjusting sweetness, or experimenting with spices to match individual taste preferences.

Ingredients for Classic Apple Sauce Cake

• Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Apple Sauce: Provides moisture and natural sweetness while replacing some of the oil or butter.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy texture.

• Raisins, Pecans: Add delightful texture and nutty flavor to the cake.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Provide warm, aromatic flavor that complements the apple sauce.

• Butter: Creates a rich, golden brown base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.
• Milk: Helps adjust the frosting's texture to make it spreadable.

How to Bake Moist and Flavorful Apple

Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Baking Pan

Crank up your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix The Cake Batter

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine all cake ingredients except for raisins and pecans. Start mixing at a low speed until ingredients are just moistened.

Then kick it up to high speed and blend until the batter becomes silky smooth.

Step 3: Add Nutty And Sweet Goodness

Fold in the raisins and chopped pecans, stirring gently to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.

Step 4: Pour And Spread

Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, ensuring a consistent thickness.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake is ready.

Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

Step 6: Create Brown Butter Magic

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

Stir constantly and cook for 4-6 minutes until it turns a gorgeous golden brown. Remove from heat and let it cool down completely.

Step 7: Whip Up The Frosting

• Browned butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla

Beat at medium speed, gradually adding milk until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Step 8: Frost And Garnish

Spread the luscious frosting over the cooled cake.

If desired, sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans on top for a delightful crunch.

Pro Tips for Perfect Apple Sauce Cake Texture

• Replace raisins with dried cranberries or chopped dates for a different flavor profile and texture variation.
• Brown butter carefully to achieve a rich, nutty taste without burning, watching the color change closely during cooking.
• Use unsweetened applesauce to control sugar content and enhance the natural apple flavor in the cake.
• Toast pecans before adding to the batter to intensify their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste experience.
• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and a more consistent cake texture.

Variations to Refresh Your Apple Sauce Cake

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cake remains moist and tender for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and choose dairy-free milk to create a compassionate version of the original recipe.
• Spiced Autumn Remix: Add warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to enhance the apple sauce cake's seasonal flavor profile and create a cozy autumn feel.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or reduce sugar content, using extra apple sauce to maintain moisture and natural sweetness.

Pairing Suggestions for Apple Sauce Cake

• Savor Sweet Spices: Pair this apple sauce cake with a warm, spicy chai latte that echoes the cake's cozy cinnamon notes and enhances its rich, comforting flavors.
• Nutty Bourbon Companion: Enjoy a small glass of smooth bourbon whiskey, which complements the pecan's earthiness and highlights the cake's caramel undertones from the browned butter frosting.
• Creamy Vanilla Dream: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding a silky, cool complement to the warm, spiced cake.
• Seasonal Cider Delight: Match with a chilled apple cider that reinforces the apple sauce's fruity essence and provides a crisp, refreshing balance to the cake's dense texture.

How to Store Apple Sauce Cake Properly

Store covered cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keeps moisture and prevents drying out.

Wrap completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.

Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.

Warm refrigerated cake slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds. For frozen slices, thaw first, then warm gently. Oven method: Warm at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and prevent drying.

Apple Sauce Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm spices dance through this classic Apple Sauce Cake, bringing comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Moist crumb and rich cinnamon notes invite sweet memories while offering simple pleasure for home bakers seeking delightful dessert perfection.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter, softened

Spices and Flavoring:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Additional Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup golden raisins or raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, blend all cake components excluding raisins and pecans, initially mixing at low velocity until ingredients integrate, then accelerate to high speed for a silky-smooth consistency.
3. Gently fold chopped raisins and pecans into the velvety batter, ensuring even distribution throughout.
4. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, carefully spreading it to create an uniform layer that will bake evenly.
5. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge completely clean.
6. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool thoroughly at room temperature, which helps set the texture.
7. For the frosting, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until it transforms into a golden-brown hue, approximately 4-6 minutes.
8. Remove butter from heat and let it cool completely to prevent curdling when mixing with other ingredients.
9. In a separate bowl, combine the browned butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, gradually incorporating milk until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
10. Once the cake has cooled, generously apply the frosting across the surface, optionally garnishing with remaining chopped pecans for added crunch and visual appeal.

Notes

• Enhance moisture by using unsweetened applesauce for a richer, more tender cake texture that prevents dryness.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend to make the cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring the same delightful taste and soft crumb.
• Toast pecans briefly before adding to the batter to intensify their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, more complex taste profile to the cake.
• Control browning butter carefully during frosting preparation, watching for a golden amber color that delivers a rich, nutty caramel undertone without burning.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 298 kcal
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg