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This Applesauce Cake so tender, moist and loaded with warm spices and apple flavor. It’s a simple cake that’s anything but boring! Top it off with an elegant dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of caramel sauce or frost it with cream cheese frosting – so good!
A Timeless Cake Everyone Will Love
Similar to a spice cake but with a noticeable apple flavor to it, this cake is so delicious. It comes together in just under an hour and is equally fabulous served warm or at room temperature. I love it’s simplicity. It reminds me of a classic style cake that could be served any time – at breakfast with coffee, as a snack or, of course, dessert. I’ve been coming back to it time and time again, and here’s why:
- SO moist. Between the applesauce and the use of oil in addition to butter, this cake turns out incredibly moist every time. You won’t be able to get enough!
- Balanced flavor profile. Sure, it has sugar in it, but this cake gets a lot of flavor from sweet, warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.) and the naturally sweet applesauce.
- Quick and easy. The batter for this cake is pretty easy to make, and the whole recipe only takes about 50 minutes from start to finish. An irresistible cake in under an hour!? Sign me up!
Ingredient Notes
You likely have a lot of this in your pantry already! Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card below to find the exact measurements.
- All-purpose flour – Be sure to measure accurately so that you don’t end up with a dry cake. I always recommend a food scale, otherwise, the spoon and level method. Do not pack the flour into the cup.
- Baking powder and baking soda – The combination gives the perfect rise and texture.
- Unsalted butter – I use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt, but you could use salted butter. Just leave out the added salt.
- Vegetable oil – I use butter and vegetable oil in this cake. Thank you, butter, for the richness. Thank you, oil, for the moisture!
- Light brown sugar – Make sure you pack it into your measuring cup to get the proper amount. You could use dark brown sugar if you’d like a deeper, more molasses-y flavor.
- Eggs – Be sure to use large eggs, not medium or extra large.
- Unsweetened applesauce – I mean it when I say “unsweetened.” This cake already has enough sugar in it. If you have the time (and the apples), consider whipping up your own Instant Pot Applesauce!
- Optional toppings – This cake is great as is, but you can top it with caramel sauce, cream cheese frosting, or my whipped cream cheese frosting for an extra oomph of goodness.
How to Make Applesauce Cake
Time for a quick overview of how to make this moist, flavorful, spiced cake. Make sure to scroll to the recipe card below for more thorough instructions.
- Prep. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- Combine the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Combine the wet ingredients. Beat together the butter, vegetable oil, brown sugar, and vanilla until light in color and fluffy. Then, mix in the eggs, one at a time.
- Put it all together. Mix half of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, followed by the applesauce. Mix in the remaining dry ingredients.
- Bake. Spread the batter into the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Finishing touches. Serve fresh out of the oven or cooled sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can spread caramel sauce or cream cheese frosting* over the top, too.
*If you’re using a frosting, let the cake cool before you frost it.
Tips and Variation Ideas
As always, I’ve got you covered with some tricks of the trade to help you achieve the perfect cake. I threw in some fun mix-in ideas, too!
- Measure with care. I highly recommend using a food scale, particularly with the flour. If you don’t have one, use the spoon and level method. Too much flour will end you with a dry cake. Too little, and your cake will be overly dense.
- Don’t skimp on creaming time. When creaming together the butter, oil, sugar, and vanilla, do so until the mixture has significantly lightened in color and become fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, which helps keep the cake from turning out too dense and improves the overall texture.
- Don’t over-mix. Once you add the dry ingredients to the batter, it is important not to over mix. Over mixing can cause the glutens in the flour to overdevelop, giving you a tough, overly dense cake.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Throughout the process of adding and mixing ingredients into the batter, scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated and you don’t end up with lumps.
- In the case of frosting, let it cool. If you are topping this cake with cream cheese frosting, allow it to cool completely first. Otherwise, the frosting will melt.
- Optional mix-ins. I prefer this cake sans mix-ins, but you can 100% add some chopped nuts and/or raisins. Fold in no more than 1 cup (total) of your chosen mix-ins just before adding your batter to the pan.
How to Store Applesauce Cake
- Room temperature. Once cool, seal any leftover slices in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator (if frosted). If you choose to frost the cake, it will need to be refrigerated after 24 hours. Cover and store, or arrange slices in a single layer in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Best served at room temperature.
- Freezer. Allow the cake to cool before sealing leftover slices in an airtight, freezer-safe container. If you frost the cake, arrange the slices in a single layer so the frosting doesn’t smudge. You can freeze this cake for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Watch How To Make It
More Apple-Y Recipes
Feeling inspired by this apple-centric recipe? Here are some other equally superb apple desserts. Let me know which is your favorite!
Recipe
Applesauce Cake
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 slices
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Applesauce Cake is so tender and moist and loaded with warm spices and apple-y flavor. Top it off with a dusting of powdered sugar, or splurge with caramel sauce or creamed cheese frosting!
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 1/2 cups (325g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 1 1/4 cups (278g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (370g) unsweetened applesauce
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Optional toppings
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick baking spray.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
- Add the butter, vegetable oil, brown sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl and beat together until light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Do not skimp on the creaming time.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until mostly combined.
- Slowly add the applesauce and mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated. Do not over mix the batter.
- Pour the batter in the pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Serve cake warm or cooled. You can sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. If serving with caramel sauce, it’ll be great with the cake warm or cool. If using a frosting, you’ll want the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Store well covered or in an air-tight container. If covered with cream cheese frosting, the cake should be refrigerated and then served at room temperature for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 254
- Sugar: 18.6 g
- Sodium: 162.1 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Carbohydrates: 36.2 g
- Protein: 3.6 g
- Cholesterol: 53.5 mg
Can I make this cake in a 8 or 9 in cake pans
Sure! That should be fine. 8 inch pans would give you a taller cake.
A lovely moist slightly spiced cake, I love the spice used. The apple does not come threw but adds the moisture while the spice makes for a lovely autumn flavored cake. I served my cake with caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream, heaven. Next time I will top with creamcheese frosting and a good sprinkle of pecans or walnuts
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Do you think this would work in a Bundt pan and if so what would you recommend for cooking time? Thank you very much for your help with this.
It’s hard to say about turning a cake like this into a Bundt cake without testing it. Bundt cakes sometimes need more batter and they can often end up more dense without other adjustments.
Thank you for your reply. I guess I’ll stick with the 9 X 13-inch pan. If I ever do try the Bundt pan I will let you know the results.
Yes, if you do try it, I would love to know how it turns out.
A recent family dinner involved a lot of cooking, so I did not want to make a complicated dessert. I chose to make Lindsay’s Applesauce Cake as the perfect ending for our family gathering, and it was a HUGE hit. In fact, I should have baked two of them! I topped the very moist and delicious cake with powdered sugar and then served it with optional whipped cream. One comment was, “it’s so good, it doesn’t need whipped cream.” This is now our family’s fave snackin’ cake that is not only a great dessert, but also great for breakfast with coffee or tea. Follow Lindsay’s wonderfully detailed instructions and it will turn out perfectly. Enjoy!
I’m so glad to hear that! Glad everyone enjoyed it!
Lindsay this recipe looks delicious cannot wait to try it applesauce cake looks a easy recipe I think the cream cheese frosting will be a nice addition to this cake thank you for sharing this recipe I think I have subscribed again by mistake all ready subscribed have a lovely weekend greetings from dublin ireland Patricia 🇮🇪❤️❤️
I hope you get a chance to try it!