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Applesauce Cake Recipe
If you’re craving something warm, nostalgic, and delightfully easy to bake, this applesauce cake recipe might just become your new go-to dessert. It’s the kind of treat that brings back memories of grandma’s kitchen—the scent of cinnamon in the air, a soft crumb full of flavor, and a cream cheese frosting that makes every bite a little celebration.
Whether you’re baking for a fall gathering, a holiday dinner, or just something comforting to enjoy with your evening tea, this applesauce cake delivers in every way. Moist, perfectly spiced, and incredibly simple to whip up, it’s one of those hidden gem recipes you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Applesauce Cake
This isn’t just any cake. It’s:
- Incredibly moist thanks to the applesauce and oil combination
- Layered with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger
- Easy to make in a single pan—no fancy tools or techniques required
- Versatile enough to enjoy frosted or plain
- Perfect for make-ahead—it actually tastes better the next day!
The best part? It comes together in under an hour and stays fresh for days in the fridge.
Ingredients for Applesauce Cake Recipe
You’ll need simple pantry staples to make this cozy dessert:
Dry Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda and baking powder
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice
Wet Ingredients:
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Unsweetened applesauce (smooth variety is best!)
- Vegetable oil (or melted butter for a richer flavor)
- Vanilla extract
Optional but recommended frosting:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
Want to mix it up? Add chopped walnuts or raisins for texture, or top with a sprinkle of crushed pecans for that old-fashioned touch.
How to Make Applesauce Cake Recipe
This applesauce cake is beautifully unfussy—just the way comfort food should be.
1. Prep your oven and pan:
Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Mix dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, leavening agents, salt, and all the spices until well combined.
3. Beat eggs and sugar:
In a separate bowl, beat together both sugars and eggs until light and fluffy—about 2 minutes with an electric mixer.
4. Add wet ingredients:
Stir in applesauce, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Combine everything:
Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just incorporated—don’t overmix.
6. Bake:
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out. Bake for 30–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool and frost (if you want to):
Let the cake cool completely before spreading with the cream cheese frosting. Or leave it plain for a more snackable version!
The Dreamiest Cream Cheese Frosting
Whip together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. For best results, chill the frosting briefly before spreading it over the cake.
Want to get fancy? A drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top adds the perfect finishing touch.
Tips for the Best Applesauce Cake Recipe
- Use unsweetened applesauce to control the sweetness of your cake.
- Go smooth over chunky—a uniform texture helps the cake stay soft and slice beautifully.
- Cool completely before frosting to avoid a melty mess.
- Store in the fridge for maximum freshness (and yes, it tastes amazing cold!).
Pro Tip: Freeze unfrosted slices for up to 3 months—just thaw, frost, and serve when the craving hits.
Make It Your Own
This applesauce cake recipe is super adaptable. Try mixing in chopped apples, dried fruit, or even a handful of chocolate chips. Swap the frosting for a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle with a glaze. You really can’t go wrong!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that checks all the boxes—easy, comforting, crowd-pleasing—this applesauce cake recipe is it. It’s the kind of simple, satisfying cake you’ll find yourself baking not just in the fall, but all year long.
So grab that jar of applesauce sitting in your pantry and turn it into something truly special. One bite, and you’ll understand why this old-fashioned classic never goes out of style.
More Tempting Apples Desserts to Try
Applesauce Cake Recipe
Course: Dessert / SnackCuisine: AmericanServings
12
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
35
minutesCalories
320
kcalTotal time
50
minutesIngredients
- Dry:
2¼ cups (318 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground allspice
- Wet:
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, broken up
2 large eggs
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup (175 ml) vegetable oil (or melted butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cream Cheese Frosting (optional):
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, soft
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9×13″ pan or line with parchment. - Combine Dry
In a large bowl whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. - Beat Sugars & Eggs
In another bowl, use an electric mixer to beat both sugars and eggs until pale and fluffy (about 2 min). - Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in applesauce, oil, and vanilla until smooth. - Fold Together
Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients just until no streaks remain. - Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 30–40 min, or until a toothpick comes out clean with only moist crumbs. - Cool & Frost
Let cake cool completely. For frosting, beat all frosting ingredients until light and fluffy, then spread over the cake. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Use unsweetened, smooth applesauce to control sweetness and ensure a silky crumb.
- Don’t overmix after adding dry ingredients—overworking develops gluten and makes the cake dense.
- Fully cool before frosting so the cream cheese layer stays firm and doesn’t melt into the cake.
