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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- Gently fold chopped raisins and pecans into the velvety batter, ensuring even distribution throughout.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, carefully spreading it to create an uniform layer that will bake evenly.
- 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.
- Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool thoroughly at room temperature, which helps set the texture.
- 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.
- Remove butter from heat and let it cool completely to prevent curdling when mixing with other ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, combine the browned butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, gradually incorporating milk until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- 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