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Applesauce Cake Recipe

Applesauce Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 33 reviews

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

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.


Ingredients

Scale

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

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