Cinnamon-Kissed Applesauce Cake Recipe for Fall Sweetness

Sweet, tender, and bursting with comforting flavors, this moist applesauce cake recipe delivers pure baking bliss.

Warm spices dance through each soft crumb, creating a dessert that feels like a gentle autumn embrace.

Homemade applesauce adds natural sweetness and incredible moisture to every slice.

Cinnamon and nutmeg weave their magic, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Bakers of all skill levels can craft this delightful treat with ease.

The aroma of baking apples and warming spices will draw everyone to the kitchen.

Grab a fork and savor every delectable bite of this irresistible cake that promises to become a cherished family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 215 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes In Applesauce Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates sturdy cake structure with balanced texture and provides essential framework for baking.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates light, airy crumb with perfect softness.
• Baking Powder: Ensures even and consistent cake rising for fluffy result.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweet ingredients.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic depth and classic autumn spice profile.
• Nutmeg: Brings subtle, earthy warmth and sophisticated background flavor.
• Cloves: Delivers rich, intense spice note with deep complexity.

• Applesauce: Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and tender cake texture.
• Butter: Creates rich, smooth foundation with luxurious flavor and tender crumb.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients, adds structure, and contributes to cake's richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors and adds delicate aromatic sweetness.

• Walnuts: Introduces delightful crunch and nutty, earthy undertones.
• Raisins: Adds sweet, chewy bursts of fruity flavor throughout cake.

• Granulated Sugar: Provides primary sweetness and helps with cake's caramelization.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep molasses notes and extra moisture to cake.

Applesauce Cake Tools You Should Use

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Helps beat butter, sugar, and eggs until fluffy.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• 9×13-inch baking pan or bundt pan: Needed to bake the cake.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients evenly.
• Spatula: Helps fold ingredients and smooth batter in the pan.
• Wire rack: Allows cake to cool completely after baking.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.

Simple Steps To Make Applesauce Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab your baking pan and give it a quick butter rub, then dust it lightly with flour to prevent sticking.

• Whip Together Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and toss in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Give it a quick whisk to blend everything evenly.

• Create a Creamy Base

In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture looks fluffy and light, about 2-3 minutes of energetic mixing.

• Blend in Moisture

Drop in eggs one by one, followed by vanilla extract. Mix until the batter looks smooth and silky.

• Marry the Ingredients

Slowly combine dry ingredients with applesauce, alternating between the two. Mix gently until everything just comes together. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some chopped walnuts or raisins.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 35-50 minutes, depending on your pan size. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Serve as is or sprinkle with powdered sugar for extra pizzazz.

How To Serve Applesauce Cake Sweetly

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair this warm, spiced cake with a steaming mug of cinnamon-sprinkled coffee for a delightful morning treat.
• Frosted Dessert Delight: Spread a rich cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake, adding a luxurious touch that complements the cake's subtle apple flavor.
• Seasonal Scoop Topper: Serve a slice alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a decadent dessert that balances the cake's warmth with cool creaminess.
• Nutty Caramel Drizzle: Enhance the cake with a homemade caramel sauce and sprinkle of toasted chopped walnuts for an extra layer of indulgent texture and flavor.

Planning Meals And Storing Applesauce Cake

• Fridge Freshness Strategy: Store leftover cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Freezing Magic Technique: Slice the cake before freezing, separating layers with parchment paper. Sealed in freezer-safe containers, the cake stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture.
• Room Temperature Charm: Keep cake at cool room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Cover with a clean kitchen towel to prevent dust and maintain softness.
• Make-Ahead Mastermind: Prepare the cake batter a day before baking and refrigerate overnight. This technique allows flavors to develop and simplifies morning baking. Remember to let the batter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking.

Helpful Tricks And Mix-Ins For Applesauce Cake

• Smart Baking Swap-Ins: Replace some flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and nutty depth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 4 days, keeping it wonderfully moist.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute butter with neutral vegetable oil and use plant-based milk for a vegan-friendly version that doesn't compromise flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour, ensuring the cake remains tender and delicious for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Flavor Boosters: Enhance the spice profile by adding orange zest or a splash of bourbon to the batter for an unexpected, sophisticated twist that elevates the classic recipe.

Moist Applesauce Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delightful applesauce cake blends homemade comfort with subtle spices from generations of family baking. Moist crumb and warm cinnamon notes invite cozy enjoyment for anyone seeking classic dessert perfection.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or raisins (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Activate the oven to 350F (175C) and meticulously prepare the baking vessel by applying a thin layer of grease and a delicate flour coating to prevent adhesion.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Construct a harmonious blend of flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves through vigorous whisking, ensuring uniform distribution within a medium mixing bowl.
3. Butter and Sugar Transformation: Employ an electric mixer to whip softened butter with granulated and brown sugars, elevating the mixture to a light, voluminous state with a pale complexion.
4. Liquid Integration: Methodically incorporate eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract, creating a seamless, homogeneous emulsion that promises a tender crumb.
5. Batter Composition: Gracefully alternate folding dry ingredients and applesauce into the creamed foundation, concluding with dry components. Gently introduce walnuts or raisins, maintaining the batter’s delicate structure.
6. Baking and Verification: Decant the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with precision. Bake for 35-50 minutes, using a toothpick test to confirm doneness – it should emerge pristine and free of raw batter.
7. Cooling and Presentation: Rest the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once thoroughly cooled, embellish with a dusting of powdered sugar or a luxurious cream cheese frosting as desired.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for dry and wet ingredients to ensure the cake’s consistent texture and rise.
• Room Temperature Matters: Bring butter, eggs, and applesauce to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more even batter.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can lead to a dense, tough cake texture.
• Moisture Control: Use unsweetened applesauce to regulate sugar content and maintain the cake’s ideal moisture level without making it too sweet.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg