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Applesauce cake is a very moist cake with warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. This delicious, easy to make eggless cake is perfectly finished with just a sprinkling of powdered sugar!
Applesauce cake is an old fashioned cake made with a few basic pantry ingredients. No eggs are added. This cake is a depression era cake and reminds me a bit of chocolate mayonnaise cake in its simplicity. You know when a recipe has survived this long and is still made on a regular basis, that it’s delicious!
At first glance, this cake isn’t a show stopper. It’s rather plain looking and non assuming. Don’t judge a book, or cake, by its cover! First bite proves this is one delicious cake! The applesauce in this cake makes the cake very moist. The spices make every bite warm and cozy.
To prepare cake batter:
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices together in a bowl
- Cream butter in a mixing bowl until soft and fluffy. Mix in brown sugar
- Add half of flour mixture and combine
- Add applesauce and vanilla
- Mix in remaining flour mixture
- Place in a greased baking dish
135246 - Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes
- Allow cake to cool and top with powdered sugar
Can this cake be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this cake one day ahead of your intended serving time. Once cake has fully cooled, cover with plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Add powdered sugar just before serving.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes, this cake can be frozen for up to one month. Allow cake to fully cool. Cover with plastic wrap and then foil. Label and date cake. To use pull from freezer and allow to thaw at room temperature. Add powdered sugar just before serving.
What type of applesauce is best in this cake?
I like to use homemade applesauce when making this cake. However, store bought applesauce works just as well. Do not use a artificially sweetened applesauce or a flavored applesauce. Unsweetened applesauce is okay to use.
Variations:
If you are looking for a few variations on this applesauce cake, consider adding any of the following options:
- 1 cup of chopped walnuts
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup of raisins
- 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
Tips for making this cake
- Use softened butter
- When measuring brown sugar, firmly pack it into measuring cup
- Do not over mix cake batter. Just stir until flour is mixed in
- Allow cake to fully cool in baking dish
Other delicious cake recipes
- Cherry snack cake
- Strawberry cake
- Carrot cake
- Chocolate apple cake
- Old fashioned spice cake – by Hearts Content Farmhouse
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Applesauce Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Topping
- 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Grease a 8 x 11 inch baking dish
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a bowl
- Cream butter in a mixing bowl with a mixer until soft. Add brown sugar and combine
- Add half the flour mixture. Mix until incorporated
- Mix in applesauce and vanilla
- Add remaining flour and mix until flour is completely mixed in
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Smooth batter with a spatula so it is evenly spread in dish
- Bake for 30 minutes
- Allow cake to fully cool in baking dish.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving
Notes
Tips for making this cake
- Use softened butter
- When measuring brown sugar, firmly pack it into measuring cup
- Do not over mix cake batter. Just stir until flour is mixed in
- Allow cake to fully cool in baking dish
Variations:
If you are looking for a few variations on this applesauce cake, consider adding any of the following options:- 1 cup of chopped walnuts
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup of raisins
- 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from The New Doubleday Cookbook and Joy of Cooking.
10 Comments
Sabrina Ramsahai
November 17, 2020 at 11:29 amIt was AMAZING! So moist, soft and tasty.
Kathy
November 17, 2020 at 12:21 pmThanks! Glad you loved it. 🙂
Valentina
April 10, 2020 at 11:53 amBaked goods with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove are calling my name right now. Perfect for this cool, rainy LA day. In quarantine, no less. 😉 ~Valentina
Kathy
April 11, 2020 at 6:38 amTimes sure are different right now! A perfect time for baking!
David @ Spiced
April 10, 2020 at 3:29 amI’ve used apple sauce in baking before as a way to lighten the calories, but I’ve never used apple sauce as the primary flavor. I’m intrigued! And as you said, this one is perfect because it relies on pantry ingredients. Now I just need to convince Robbie to “loan” me some of his apple sauce… 🙂
Kathy
April 10, 2020 at 6:14 amSo true! Applesauce for toddlers is one of their favorites. He might let you “borrow” some if he knows it’s for cake!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
April 9, 2020 at 5:46 pmThis cake brings back such sweet memories for me Kathy! Growing up a local orchard sold an applesauce cake that was my parent’s favorite. Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Kathy
April 10, 2020 at 6:13 amHow lovely! This will be a fun one for you to make.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
April 9, 2020 at 8:19 amLooks and sounds like a delicious cake, Kathy! What a great way to infuse the cake with more flavour, moisture and some natural sweetness! Love a slice this afternoon with my cuppa 😉
Kathy
April 10, 2020 at 6:12 amLots of flavor!