Moist & Flavorful Applesauce Cake Recipe For Fall Baking Joy

Sweet memories flood back whenever I whip up this classic applesauce cake that reminds me of grandma’s cozy kitchen.

Comforting aromas waft through my home as ingredients come together effortlessly.

Moist and tender, each slice promises warmth and nostalgia.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance alongside soft apple notes, creating a deeply satisfying treat.

Pantry staples transform into something magical with minimal effort.

Simple yet elegant, this cake works perfectly for casual afternoons or special gatherings.

Go ahead and preheat that oven – deliciousness awaits you.

Applesauce Cake Recipe: A Cozy Classic

• Boost Family Connections: Gather loved ones in the kitchen and create delightful memories while baking this simple, hearty cake together.
• Versatile Comfort Treat: Perfect for casual gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy afternoon snack that satisfies sweet cravings without complicated steps.
• Budget-Friendly Baking: Uses basic pantry ingredients like applesauce, common spices, and optional nuts, making it an economical dessert option for any household.
• Quick Preparation Delight: Minimal mixing required with straightforward instructions, allowing even novice bakers to confidently create a delicious homemade cake in under an hour.

Ingredients for Applesauce Cake Recipe

• Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Shortening: Contributes to the cake's moistness and soft texture.
• Applesauce: Provides natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Water: Helps blend the ingredients and create a smooth batter.

• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and a cozy flavor to the cake.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Chopped Nuts, Raisins: Add texture, crunch, and extra flavor to the cake.

How to Bake Applesauce Cake Recipe Perfectly

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a light coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Magical Batter

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Shortening
• Applesauce
• Water
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt

Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes silky smooth and perfectly blended.

Step 3: Enhance With Crunchy Goodness

• Chopped nuts
• Raisins (optional but recommended)

Gently stir these mix-ins throughout the batter for extra texture and flavor.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Pour the luscious batter into your prepared pan. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let it bake for 45-50 minutes.

To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake is ready.

Step 5: Let The Cake Rest

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely.

This helps the cake set and makes slicing easier. Once cooled, slice and serve your scrumptious applesauce cake.

Tips for Moist and Flavorful Applesauce Cake

• Add an extra 1/4 cup of applesauce to ensure the cake stays incredibly soft and tender throughout baking.
• Replace ground nutmeg with allspice or pumpkin pie spice for a delightful flavor variation that keeps the cake interesting.
• Substitute chopped nuts with toasted sunflower seeds or skip nuts entirely to make the cake friendly for those with nut allergies.
• Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour to make the cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Reduce sugar by using half applesauce and half honey or maple syrup for a more nutritious twist on the classic recipe.

Variations on Applesauce Cake to Try

• Spiced Cranberry Variation: Replace raisins with dried cranberries and add orange zest for a tangy, festive flavor profile that brightens the traditional applesauce cake.
• Whole Wheat Healthy Spin: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and incorporate ground flaxseed for added nutrition and nutty undertones.
• Chocolate Chip Comfort: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips and reduce cinnamon slightly to create a sweeter, more indulgent version of the classic cake.
• Nutty Maple Upgrade: Swap water with pure maple syrup and use pecans instead of standard nuts, enhancing the cake's rich, caramel-like sweetness.

What to Serve with Applesauce Cake

• Pair Warm Spices with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Zinfandel or Syrah that complements the cake's cinnamon and nutmeg notes, enhancing the dessert's rich, warm flavors.
• Create Creamy Vanilla Contrast: Top the cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cool, smooth texture to balance the cake's dense, spiced character.
• Match with Caramel Coffee: Serve alongside a smooth caramel macchiato, which echoes the cake's sweet apple and nutty undertones while providing a comforting, aromatic companion.
• Elevate with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Prepare a light cinnamon-infused whipped cream to dollop on top, intensifying the cake's warm spice profile and adding a delicate, airy texture.

Storing Applesauce Cake to Keep Fresh

Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping it moist and fresh in the refrigerator.

Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.

Warm individual slices for 15-20 seconds on medium power, checking to prevent overheating and maintain cake’s soft texture.

Warm cake slices at 300F for 5-7 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.

FAQs

• What makes applesauce work so well in this cake?

Applesauce acts as a natural moisture booster and fat replacement, creating a tender, soft cake texture while adding natural sweetness and reducing the need for extra oil.

• Can I substitute the shortening in this recipe?

Yes, you can use butter or vegetable oil as alternatives to shortening. Each will slightly change the cake’s texture and flavor, but will generally work well in the recipe.

• Are the nuts and raisins mandatory?

No, they’re optional. You can easily omit them or swap with different mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried cranberries based on your preference.

Applesauce Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade Applesauce Cake brings warmth and nostalgia to traditional baking with its moist, spiced texture. Sweet notes of cinnamon and tender apple chunks make this dessert a comforting classic you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (470 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Spices:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients and Optional Add-ins:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) shortening
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) water
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup (80 grams) raisins

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch pan with grease and flour.
2. Combine dry and wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl, blending flour, sugar, shortening, applesauce, water, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture reaches a smooth, uniform consistency.
3. Gently fold chopped nuts and raisins into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
4. Transfer the complete batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to create a level surface.
5. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and free of wet batter.
6. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature, which helps set the texture and enhances flavor development.
7. Once cooled, slice and serve the cake, enjoying its moist texture and warm spice notes.

Notes

• Swap shortening with coconut oil or unsalted butter for a richer flavor profile and different nutritional balance.
• Soak raisins in warm water or rum before adding to prevent them from drying out during baking and enhance their plumpness.
• Replace some all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and a nutty undertone, making the cake more nutritionally dense.
• Use overripe bananas or pumpkin puree as alternative moisture-adding ingredients if applesauce is unavailable, maintaining the cake’s soft texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 215 kcal
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg