Description
This Applesauce Cake is rich, spiced, and incredibly moist, thanks to a generous amount of applesauce. The secret? A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which gives it that classic old-fashioned flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves (optional, but adds depth!)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or raisins (optional)
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Cream cheese frosting
- Maple glaze
Instructions
Step 1: Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and applesauce until smooth.
Step 4: Mix & Add Extras
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold until combined.
- Stir in walnuts or raisins, if using.
Step 5: Bake & Cool
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Step 6: Top & Serve!
- Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple glaze, or frost with cream cheese frosting.
- Slice and enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea!