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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Liquid Integration: Methodically incorporate eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract, creating a seamless, homogeneous emulsion that promises a tender crumb.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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