Applesauce Cake Recipe

Name: Applesauce Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 cup white sugar; 0.5 cup butter; 1 cup chilled applesauce; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves; 0.5 cup chopped walnuts; 0.5 cup raisins

Cook Time: 40 minutes

This applesauce cake recipe is simple to make and filled with warm, cozy fall flavors. The soft and moist cake is made with basic ingredients like applesauce, sugar, and butter, making it an easy dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar
cup butter
1 cup chilled applesauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
teaspoon ground cloves
cup chopped walnuts (optional)
cup raisins (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Grease and flour an 8-inch cake pan, ensuring its evenly coated to avoid sticking.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and butter using an electric mixer until creamy and smooth.

Step 3: Add the applesauce to the sugar and butter mixture and continue to beat until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Stir in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Mix until the ingredients are just combined, making sure not to overwork the batter.

Step 5: Gently fold in the walnuts and raisins, if youre using them. These add a wonderful texture and flavor to the cake, but they are optional.

Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden and springy to the touch.

Step 8: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Storage Instructions:

Store any leftover applesauce cake in an airtight at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to five days. To keep the cake fresh longer, you can freeze it. Simply wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight. If you'd like, dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Recipe Notes:

This applesauce cake is perfect on its own, but you can also enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a different twist, try using dried cranberries instead of raisins or sprinkle some oats, cinnamon, and brown sugar on top before baking for a crunchy finish!

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories: 268
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 161mg
Carbohydrates: 41g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 23g
Protein: 3g
Vitamin C: 1mg
Calcium: 16mg
Iron: 1mg
Potassium: 108mg

Applesauce Cake Recipe

History of Applesauce Cake

The applesauce cake has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century, particularly during times when resources were scarce. The use of applesauce in baking began as a way to replace expensive ingredients like butter and eggs, making it an affordable and moist dessert option for families. This simple cake became popular during the Great Depression, as it was inexpensive to make and used common pantry staples. Over time, variations of the cake spread across the United States, with regional differences influenced by local ingredients and tastes.

Regional Variations and Adaptations

While applesauce cake is widely enjoyed across the United States, different regions have their own take on this humble dessert. In the Midwest, the cake is often spiced with cinnamon and cloves, reflecting the warm flavors of autumn. In the South, its not uncommon to see a version with additional fruits like raisins or nuts, providing a more textured and hearty dessert. The addition of ingredients like molasses, pumpkin, or even a splash of bourbon can be found in regional adaptations, adding unique twists to this classic recipe.

What Sets Applesauce Cake Apart?

At its core, applesauce cake is a simple dessert, yet it stands out for its moist texture and comforting spice profile. Unlike traditional cakes that rely heavily on butter and eggs, this cake uses applesauce as both a sweetener and a binder, resulting in a denser, more flavorful cake. While it shares similarities with other spice cakes and quick breads, the use of applesauce gives it a distinct fruitiness that is often missing in those alternatives. Additionally, the cake is often less sweet, making it an ideal dessert for those who prefer a more subtle sweetness.

Where Is Applesauce Cake Traditionally Served?

Applesauce cake is a versatile dessert that can be served on various occasions. It is especially popular during fall and winter, often appearing at family gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, and holiday parties. Its moist texture and fragrant spices make it a cozy choice for a warm dessert served with a cup of coffee or tea. In some regions, its also a favorite at potlucks and church events, where it can easily be sliced and shared among a crowd. Additionally, it is an excellent snack cake, perfect for a mid-afternoon treat or after-school snack.

Interesting Facts About Applesauce Cake

1. Applesauce cake is often considered a frugal dessert because it requires minimal ingredients, making it perfect for budget-conscious bakers. 2. Some versions of the cake are completely vegan, replacing butter with oils or dairy-free substitutes and omitting eggs entirely. 3. The cakes versatility has inspired many creative variations, such as the addition of nuts, raisins, or even a cream cheese frosting. 4. Despite its simplicity, applesauce cake is rich in flavor due to the natural sweetness of the applesauce and the warming spices used in the recipe. 5. This cake is often made ahead of time and keeps well, making it a great choice for meal prep or a make-ahead dessert. 6. In some households, applesauce cake is enjoyed as a breakfast treat, paired with coffee or served alongside a hearty breakfast.

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FAQ about Applesauce Cake Recipe

You can store applesauce cake at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to cover it tightly to maintain freshness.

Yes, you can freeze applesauce cake. Wrap it tightly in storage wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving. If you plan to top it with powdered sugar, do so just before serving.

You can enhance the flavor by adding spices like nutmeg, allspice, or extra cinnamon. Some users have also substituted walnuts for dried cranberries, pecans, or raisins for added texture and taste.

Absolutely! You can use homemade applesauce in place of store-bought. Just make sure the applesauce is chilled before using it in the recipe.

If you're using a pan that's larger or smaller than the recommended 8-inch cake pan, the baking time may need to be adjusted. A larger pan will result in a thinner batter, so it may cook faster. A smaller pan may take longer. Always check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake.

Yes, you can substitute butter with non-dairy alternatives such as vegan butter or coconut oil. This will make the cake dairy-free, but the texture and flavor might vary slightly.

This recipe is not vegan as it contains butter, but you can make it vegan by substituting the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and omitting any eggs (though this recipe doesn't call for eggs).

If you prefer a less sweet cake, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. Some users have substituted half the white sugar with other sweeteners like Swerve or coconut sugar, which can also help reduce the overall sweetness.

While this applesauce cake is delicious on its own, you can top it with a cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze for added sweetness and richness.

If your cake turned out dense, it might be due to overmixing the batter or using too much flour. Be sure to mix the ingredients just until combined and measure your flour carefully. You could also try adding an extra teaspoon of baking soda to help the cake rise more.

Comments

Brenda Clark

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Made it last night, still thinking about it.

Nanci Alley

06/20/2020 05:05:00 PM

Very good and very easy. I did add an egg and 1/2tsp. Salt and a whole can (15oz) applesauce, 2 tsp. Extra flour. The 8x8 square pan was perfect. I buttered pan and baked 45 minutes. Cooled 15 and turned out on serving plate.. will make again! Thanks!

Lindsay

07/26/2023 01:54:50 AM

We loved this! I used unsweetened apple sauce and it delivered a cake that wasn’t overly sweet (we dislike dessert that are too sweet). So easy to make and tastes similar to a quick bread. I used a 9 inch cake pan so mine cooked quicker and was actually done in 30 minutes. Decided to top with vanilla ice cream, and wow was that good!

EricBennie C

06/08/2024 11:11:14 PM

Second try....I added ONE WHOLE EGG to sugar/butter mix then really creamed it together. Added 1 teaspoon Madagascar Vanilla. 1 1/2 tsp of Cinnamon. Baked for 42 minutes at 350. PERFECT, MOIST. Next time I'm going ZEST an orange and use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of zest!!

Zainab Tello

07/11/2020 06:12:04 PM

This was incredibly easy I’m 14 and made it with my 7 year old brother he loved ITV everyone gobbled it up as soon as it came out and cooled, instead of walnuts and raisins we used smashed almonds and used vegan butter which was so much easier to cream than milk butter, next time I would add a bit more sugar and more spices we baked it in a glass dish for about 10 minutes less since glass heats faster and it was wonderfully moist but not dense it’s great for kids and very quick not messy treat for anytime I wrote this down will do again hopefully with homemade applesauce

Jill Griffin

04/24/2024 11:37:22 AM

Was a little bland, so I added 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Baked in mini muffin tin for about 15 minutes. Also made a streusel for the top. Definitely liked it with my additions.

RedPasta3391

02/05/2023 05:05:19 AM

Turned out fantastic after a few small adjustments 1 cup white sugar ½ cup butter 1 cup chilled applesauce 1 large egg 1 splash of pure vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup almond flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ cup chopped pecans ½ cup raisins 350°F for 50 mins

SilverFish9070

10/09/2024 04:42:20 AM

I made this cake 2 times actually. The first time I made sour cream spice glaze for the top the second time I made it an apple sauce unsaid down cake it was very good. And I added vanilla extract and I put pumkin pie spice instead of clovers. Made it have an apple pie flavor.

mugsthree

03/09/2021 02:32:36 PM

I had a jar of homemade chunky applesauce left over and I wanted to use it up. I used 1/2 white sugar & 1/2 cup Swerve, and omitted raisins. This may have affected the texture. The taste was pleasant, but didn’t have a strong apple taste- more like spice cake. After the first day, it was a little lacking. I think I would add raisins to make it more interesting. After the allotted baking time, the center was still too moist. I baked it an additional 5 minutes at a lower temperature (the top was already browned enough.). The neighbors ate it straight away, and enjoyed it. I’m still not sure I’d make it again.

tina

09/11/2021 12:45:00 PM

I too, was really surprised how good this turned out without the eggs! It was very much more of a cookie dough than a pourable batter as was mentioned in other reviews. I did add another 1/2 C. applesauce and 1/4 tsp. each nutmeg and allspice. I only added 1/2C. Sugar. Very moist! Great with coffee or tea!

Gloria Hoda

10/28/2020 03:01:41 PM

I thought is was great. We made a few modifications - swapped gluten free flour for regular flour and used 1/2 cup coconut sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar. I also made 14 muffins instead of a cake pan.

LankyMalt2588

09/18/2025 03:49:08 PM

I love this one and will definitely make it again. I added an egg as suggested by other users. Also, we had slivered almonds and dried cranberries on hand so I used those instead of the walnuts and raisins. So good!

Thorsmom

09/15/2025 02:33:29 AM

This was a quick, easy and good recipe. I put it together at the last minute for the kids' and grandkids' Sunday dinner. Everyone loved it. Leftovers went home with the kids. I followed the recipe exactly.

Jackie Moore

09/14/2025 02:39:43 AM

I used an entire can (15 oz) of unsweetened applesauce, doubled the cinnamon, cut the cloves down to 1/8 tsp, subbed pecans and craisins for the walnuts and raisins, sprinkled powdered sugar on top just before serving. My family LOVED it!!

LankyYam5568

09/07/2025 03:17:17 AM

Great when pantry is getting bare. Thanks

elysummers summers

09/06/2025 02:24:35 PM

Not a patch to Pat and Gina Neely's recipe.

Julie

08/31/2025 10:35:16 PM

Delicious, moist, simple and ready in a jif. This took me back to my childhood! My mother made this all the time because it was easy, quick and more importantly very inexpensive, and she almost always had applesauce on hand. Very, very good and I will most definitely be making it again (and again).

Sonny Follette

08/19/2025 09:00:21 PM

The family loved it!

Anniebea

07/02/2025 06:58:35 PM

Delicious and simple cake!

zlookingglass

06/27/2025 05:11:50 AM

Easy and delicious. Not sure why some people write a review without actually MAKING a recipe (?) but whatever, this recipe works!

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