Applesauce Spice Cake Recipe (2024)

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by Beth @ The First Year //Published September 20, 2021, Updated January 9, 2024

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Only make this applesauce cake if you want to seriously impress your family and friends and have them begging for more over and over!

This easy Fall dessert can be made with homemade or store-bought applesauce and pairs perfectly with cream cheese frosting. Keep reading for some extra cake baking tips!

Create the perfect fall feel with Applesauce Cake

Baking in the fall is one of my favorite things to do because it creates such a cozy atmosphere. While you bake this cake with applesauce your kitchen will literally smell like a warm cinnamon candle.

Applesauce Spice Cake Recipe Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Ground cloves
Ground allspice
Applesauce, unsweetened or regular
Brown sugar, packed
Vegetable oil
Eggs

How to Make Applesauce Cake

In a small mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil and eggs, whisk together.
Gently mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Pour batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan and bake for 30-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

How to Properly Measure Flour

Fluff the flour with a fork
Use a spoon to scoop the flour into your measuring cup
Use a butter knife to level off the flour in the measuring cup

Sticking the measuring cup straight into the bag of flour will result in too much flour to be packed into the cup, which can result in dry cake.

Applesauce Cake Variations

Nuts: add 1 cup of chopped nuts to the batter. I recommend walnuts or pecans.
Homemade applesauce: You can use homemade applesauce in this recipe!
Chopped apples: For an extra apple kick, chop 2 apples into small pieces and stir into the batter. I recommend honey crisp apples.
Cinnamon cream cheese frosting: Add 1 tsp of cinnamon when making the frosting.
Caramel cream cheese frosting: Add 1/4 cup caramel sauce when making the frosting.
Muffins: Turn applesauce cake into applesauce muffins!

Do I have to use unsweetened applesauce?

Nope! That’s what I choose to use, but you could use regular applesauce or even cinnamon applesauce. I wouldn’t suggest using chunky applesauce as it will change the texture of the cake batter.

Tips for Making Cake

Properly measure the all purpose flour using the spoon and sweep method.
Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until they are combined. Over mixing could lead to dry, dense cake.
Cake baked in a metal pan may have a shorter baking time because metal heats quicker than glass. The bake time for this recipe is based on using a glass pan.

Serving Applesauce Cake

Applesauce cake pairs well with various accompaniments and toppings. Here are some delicious options:

Cream Cheese Frosting: A classic choice, cream cheese frosting complements the moist and spiced flavors of applesauce cake, creating a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess.
Caramel Sauce: Drizzling warm caramel sauce over slices of applesauce cake enhances the caramelized apple flavors and adds a rich, buttery sweetness.
Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream on top of applesauce cake adds a light and airy contrast to the dense cake while providing a touch of sweetness.
Ice Cream: Vanilla or cinnamon-flavored ice cream pairs wonderfully with applesauce cake, creating a delightful hot-and-cold contrast.
Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans on top of the cake or incorporate them into the batter for added texture and nutty flavor.
Powdered Sugar: A dusting of powdered sugar over the cake can give it a simple, elegant finish and a touch of sweetness.
Fresh Fruit: Sliced apples or pears can complement the apple flavor in the cake. A fruit compote or fruit salad is also a great option.
Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the cake or as a garnish can enhance the cake’s spiced notes.
Yogurt or Sour Cream: A spoonful of yogurt or sour cream on the side can provide a creamy contrast and a hint of tartness.

The choice of pairing depends on your preferences and the occasion, so feel free to mix and match to create a delightful combination that suits your taste.

How to Store Apple Sauce Cake

Once you add the cream cheese frosting to the cake, the cake can be left out for only a few hours. For longer storage be sure to store the cake covered in the fridge.

More Apple Recipes

Apple Spice Cupcakes
Caramel Apple Cookies
Easy Apple Coffee Cake
Apple Cider Punch

Easy Applesauce Cake

4.75 from 4 ratings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 32 minutes mins

Additional Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 42 minutes mins

Yield: 12 servings

Only make this applesauce cake if you want to seriously impress your family and friends and have them begging for more over and over! This easy Fall dessert can be made with homemade or store-bought applesauce and pairs perfectly with cream cheese frosting. Keep reading for some extra cake baking tips!

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Ingredients

Cake

2 ¼ cup all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp allspice
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened or regular
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs

Cream cheese frosting

8 oz brick of cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup), room temperature
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
3-4 cups powdered sugar
optional: 1/8 tsp salt and dash of milk or heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350º F. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice.
In a separate larger mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil and eggs, whisk together. Using a spatula, gently mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Pour the batter into the 9×13 inch pan. Bake for 30-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Note: if using a metal pan, the baking time may be shorter.
Allow the cake to cool for for 1 hour before adding the frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Place room temperature unsalted butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl.Use an electric mixer on medium and beat together for 1-2 minutes, until whipped and fluffy.
Add in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar (and optional salt), beat again on low for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until everything is incorporated.
If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk or heavy cream, beat until creamy. Spread the frosting on top of the cake.

Notes

Cake baked in a metal pan may have a shorter baking time because metal heats quicker than glass. The bake time for this recipe is based on using a glass pan.

I’ve made this recipe with both regular and gluten free flour with awesome results on multiple occasions. I recommendKing Arthur’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour. Use it as a one for one substitute for regular flour.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Beth

Calories: 510kcal, Carbohydrates: 70g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 468mg, Potassium: 112mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 50g, Vitamin A: 556IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 81mg, Iron: 2mg

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originally published September 20, 2021 — last updated January 9, 2024 // 6 Comments

Posted in: Cake, Fall

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