Description
This moist and flavorful Applesauce Cake is a delightful fall dessert featuring warm spices and a tender crumb. Made with unsweetened applesauce to keep it light, it’s naturally sweetened and easy to prepare, perfect for any occasion or simple weekday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, vegetable oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating the flavorful base of your cake.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to evenly distribute the leavening agents and warm spices.
- Incorporate dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, gently stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which can make the cake dense.
- Fold in optional add-ins: If using, gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans and raisins to add texture and flavor to the batter.
- Pour batter and bake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly so the cake bakes uniformly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing to help set the texture. Enjoy as is, or dust with powdered sugar or frost with cream cheese frosting for extra sweetness.
Notes
- This cake stays moist for several days when stored in an airtight container.
- Top with a light glaze or cream cheese frosting for added sweetness and richness.
- For a dairy-free version, ensure all ingredients including sugar and optional add-ins are dairy-free.
- Feel free to substitute nuts or omit them for a nut-free version.
- Serve with a cup of tea or coffee for a perfect afternoon treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
