When you want something sweet but not overly sugary, try this spiced Applesauce Cake! Enjoy this fluffy, airy cake spiced with the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg and made moist with the addition of applesauce. Frost if desired, but it’s perfectly delicious just as it is!
Maybe it was just how I was raised, but for some reason, I always crave something sweet after a meal. Sometimes I pop a piece of chocolate in my mouth. Other times, nothing but a homemade dessert will do.
SAVE THIS APPLESAUCE CAKE RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
This Applesauce Cake recipe comes in handy when I want something fresh and sweet but not too sugary. This cake has a tender, moist crumb and just a little bit of chewiness on the outside edges. The leftovers make a nice afternoon snack too!
Applesauce Cake Ingredients
You may have many of these ingredients in your pantry already! Gather the things you’ll need:
- One stick of unsalted butter (1/4 pound / 8 tablespoons)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup applesauce, not unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Optional- ½ cup raisins and ½ cup chopped walnuts
What kind of applesauce should I use?
Applesauce comes in several different varieties, and I used regular applesauce in this recipe. You can use chunky applesauce, flavored applesauce, and even homemade applesauce in this recipe. Just know it will slightly affect the flavor and sweetness of the finished product.
If you want to make your own, try my Homemade Baked Applesauce recipe. It is delicious!
How to make this easy Applesauce Cake
I love a recipe that comes together quickly and easily! Since I don’t think this moist cake needs frosting, it was ready to eat in less than an hour!
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray, lining it with parchment paper, or using a baker’s release mixture.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter. You can also use a mixing bowl and an electric mixer. Add the sugar gradually and beat well on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Next, add the applesauce and mix thoroughly. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until well combined into the applesauce mixture. It will look like lumpy, but no worries, it will turn out fine.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until just blended. Spread the cake batter into the prepared pan.
Bake the cake for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. Place on a wire rack and let cool completely. Enjoy a slice of this old-fashioned Applesauce Cake topped with a dollop of my Stabilized Whipped Cream and nice cup of coffee!
Flavor Variations
- Amp up the apple flavor by using chunky applesauce or even some chopped fresh apples!
- Use oil instead of butter. Using vegetable oil or canola oil will give you a slightly fluffier crumb and adds to the moistness of the cake as well.
- Add a little more warmth with a teaspoon of vanilla extract or maple syrup.
- I kept my cake plain, but the nuts and raisins do add a nice flavor and texture to this simple cake.
- If you choose to frost your cake, try cream cheese frosting, caramel frosting, or cinnamon cream cheese frosting! Or serve it with a simple fresh whipped cream.
How to store Applesauce Cake
Applesauce cake can be covered and stored either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to four days. Use a rectangular cake keeper to cover the cake.
Don’t have a cake keeper? You can use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover your cake. Another option is just to put it in a large lidded container since there is no frosting to worry about.
Can this cake be frozen?
You can also freeze this cake. Once it has cooled completely, wrap it in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it to room temperature before serving.
Love Apples? Try one of these recipes!
I have so many apple recipes on the blog just waiting for you to try. Here are some of my favorites:
- Apple Crumb Cake – this one is at the TOP of the list!
- The EASIEST Apple Cream Pie – ok, this is there, too because it’s a pie I grew up eating and love to this day.
- Apple Crisp
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
More Cake Recipes
Whether you need a cake for a birthday, anniversary, or just because, I’ve got the perfect cake recipes for you to try.
This Citrus Layer Cake makes a beautiful layered birthday cake. Chocolate lovers will eat up this Oreo Cake. Key Lime Crème Poke Cake makes a lovely citrus dessert for a summer soiree!
If you’re looking for a nice after-dinner treat, try this coffee-infused Easy Tiramisu Poke Cake. Or try this tasty Banana Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake!
I adapted this recipe from an old recipe in The Fanny Farmer Cookbook.
Applesauce Cake
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup regular applesauce *NOTE
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ cup raisins optional
- ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare a 9 X 13-inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray and flouring it or use a baker’s spray.
- In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter. Gradually add the sugar and beat well.
- Add the applesauce and mix thoroughly.
- Blend in the eggs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Add to the butter mixture and beat until just blended.
- Spread into pan.
- Bake for 25 – 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Notes
- Makes one 9 X 13-inch or two 8-inch rounds. *If using two 8-inch round pans, bake for 25 – 30 minutes. Test for doneness by placing a toothpick in middle to see if it comes out clean. Allow the cake(s) to cool in the pan before turning it out onto a wire rack.
- Consider adding raisins and/or walnuts for some texture. Nutritional information has been calculated without them.
- Frost with a cream cheese frosting, if desired or plain fresh whipped cream.
Nutrition
This post was originally published March 4, 2014. It has been updated both in format and with picture on 3/20/23.
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