Applesauce Cake Recipe: 1 Old-Fashioned Dessert You’ll Love

The classic dessert recipes bring back fond childhood memories, with applesauce cake ranking among the top nostalgic favorites. This timeless applesauce cake recipe has been perfected through generations, combining the sweet tanginess of applesauce with warm spices to create a moist, flavorful treat. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at homemade desserts for the first time, this old-fashioned applesauce cake recipe promises to deliver a slice of wholesome goodness that’s perfect for any occasion.

The beauty of this applesauce cake recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. The natural sweetness from the applesauce creates a tender crumb that stays fresh longer than many other cakes. The applesauce cake recipe we’re sharing today has been tested and perfected to ensure you achieve delicious results every time. Let’s dive into this applesauce cake recipe that has stood the test of time.

Ingredients List

For a truly exceptional applesauce cake recipe, quality ingredients make all the difference. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this deliciously moist dessert:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (substitute whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor)
• 1½ cups unsweetened applesauce (homemade provides the richest flavor)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (can substitute with ¾ cup honey for a different sweetness)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or ½ cup coconut oil for dairy-free option)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

For the Optional Cinnamon Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk or apple cider
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

This applesauce cake recipe combines these simple ingredients to create a dessert that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The rich aroma of spices and sweet tang of applesauce will immediately transport you to grandmother’s kitchen.

Timing

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Baking Time: 45-50 minutes Cooling Time: 20 minutes minimum Total Time: 80-85 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Environment

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Proper preheating ensures your applesauce cake recipe turns out perfectly. Grease and flour a 9×9-inch square baking pan or a 9-inch round cake pan. For easier removal, consider lining the bottom with parchment paper after greasing.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined. This thorough mixing distributes the leavening agents and spices evenly, preventing unpleasant pockets in your finished applesauce cake recipe.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush this step—proper creaming incorporates air into your applesauce cake recipe batter, which helps create that tender texture we’re looking for.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract. These ingredients add richness and depth of flavor that elevates your applesauce cake recipe from good to memorable.

Step 5: Incorporate the Star Ingredient – Applesauce

Add the applesauce to your batter and mix until just combined. The applesauce is what makes this cake exceptionally moist and gives the applesauce cake recipe its distinctive flavor profile. If using homemade applesauce, ensure it’s cooled completely before adding.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. Overmixing can result in a tough rather than tender applesauce cake recipe. For the lightest texture, use a folding motion rather than vigorous stirring.

Step 7: Add Optional Mix-ins

If using, gently fold in the chopped nuts and dried fruit. These add-ins provide delightful texture contrasts that complement the smooth, spiced base of the applesauce cake recipe. Tossing them lightly in flour before adding can help prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.

Step 8: Transfer to Baking Pan

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter to release any large air bubbles that might create holes in your finished applesauce cake recipe.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid opening the oven door during the first 30 minutes of baking, as temperature fluctuations can cause your applesauce cake recipe to sink in the middle.

Step 10: Cool and Glaze

Allow the applesauce cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. If desired, prepare the cinnamon glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake for an extra touch of sweetness that complements this applesauce cake recipe beautifully.

Nutritional Information

Understanding the nutritional profile of this applesauce cake recipe helps you make informed choices. Here’s the breakdown per serving (based on 12 servings):

• Calories: 265 per slice
• Total Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 52mg
• Sodium: 180mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 42g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
• Sugars: 25g
• Protein: 3g

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

For Reduced Sugar: Cut the sugar to ¾ cup and increase the cinnamon slightly to enhance perceived sweetness. Research shows that increasing warm spices can make desserts taste sweeter with less actual sugar.

For Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in this applesauce cake recipe. Add an extra egg to improve binding and structure.

For Vegan Adaptation: In this applesauce cake recipe, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, and replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg).

For Added Nutrition: Incorporate ¼ cup of ground flaxseed or hemp hearts for omega-3 fatty acids, or replace up to ⅓ of the flour with almond flour for added protein that complements the applesauce cake recipe perfectly.

These modifications make this applesauce cake recipe adaptable to almost any dietary need while preserving the comforting essence that makes it so beloved.

Serving Suggestions

Transform your applesauce cake recipe from a simple dessert to an impressive finale with these creative serving ideas:

For a rustic presentation, serve thick slices slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. The contrast between the warm spiced cake and cold ice cream creates a sensory experience that elevates this humble applesauce cake recipe.

Create an elegant dessert plate by cutting the applesauce cake into neat squares, placing each on a pool of spiced crème anglaise, and garnishing with thinly sliced fresh apple.

For afternoon tea, cut small cubes of applesauce cake recipe results and arrange on a tiered stand alongside fresh apple slices and a pot of chai tea. The spice notes complement each other beautifully.

For brunch gatherings, try toasting slices of day-old applesauce cake lightly and serving with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey for a sophisticated sweet option that pairs wonderfully with coffee.

These serving suggestions make this versatile applesauce cake recipe appropriate for everything from casual family desserts to special celebrations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Cold Ingredients: Room-temperature eggs and butter incorporate much more effectively. Cold ingredients can cause the applesauce cake recipe batter to separate or result in uneven texture.

Overmixing the Batter: Statistics show that overmixing is responsible for 40% of dense, tough cake failures. Once you add flour to wet ingredients in your applesauce cake recipe, mix just until combined.

Inaccurate Measurements: For this applesauce cake recipe, measure flour by spooning it into measuring cups and leveling off with a knife rather than scooping directly from the container, which can pack in too much flour.

Opening the Oven Too Early: Opening the oven door during the first 30 minutes of baking can cause your applesauce cake recipe to sink in the middle as the sudden temperature change affects the rising process.

Inadequate Cooling Time: Many bakers rush to glaze their applesauce cake while it’s still warm, resulting in a soggy texture. Be patient and allow your cake to cool completely for the best final texture..

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Short-Term Storage (2-3 days): Store your applesauce cake at room temperature in an airtight container. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help maintain moisture levels—the bread will go stale instead of your cake.

Medium-Term Storage (up to 1 week): Refrigerate your applesauce cake recipe results in an airtight container. Before serving, allow slices to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes to restore the optimal texture and flavor profile.

Long-Term Storage (up to 3 months): This applesauce cake recipe freezes exceptionally well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in a freezer bag with all air pressed out. The high moisture content from the applesauce helps prevent freezer burn.

Make-Ahead Tips: For special occasions, you can bake this applesauce cake recipe up to two days in advance. Store unglazed at room temperature, then add the cinnamon glaze shortly before serving for the freshest presentation.

Conclusion

This applesauce cake recipe truly stands the test of time, offering a perfect balance of moist texture, warm spices, and sweet apple flavor. The natural moisture from applesauce ensures this cake stays fresh longer than most, while the warming spices create a comforting aroma that fills your home with nostalgic goodness. Whether you follow the classic applesauce cake recipe or experiment with healthier adaptations, this dessert is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.

We’d love to hear about your experience making this applesauce cake recipe! Did you try any of the suggested variations? Share your results in the comments section below, or leave a review with your personal tips.

FAQs

Can I use homemade applesauce for this applesauce cake recipe? Absolutely! Homemade applesauce works wonderfully and often provides better flavor. For best results, use unsweetened applesauce with a smooth consistency for your applesauce cake recipe.

Why is my applesauce cake too dense? Dense texture typically results from overmixing the batter or using too much flour in your applesauce cake recipe. Remember to measure flour correctly by spooning it into measuring cups rather than scooping, and mix just until the ingredients are combined.

How do I know when my applesauce cake recipe is done baking? Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Another indicator is that the cake will begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan.