Applesauce cake is a moist, warmly spiced cake that uses applesauce to add sweetness and tenderness (and often lets you reduce oil or butter).
Here’s a simple, reliable version you can make at home:
🍰 Classic Applesauce Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup sugar (white or brown, or mix both)
- ½ cup oil (or melted butter)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups applesauce (unsweetened is best)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour a cake pan or loaf pan.
- In a bowl, mix dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth.
- Add applesauce and vanilla, mix well.
- Gradually combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed (don’t overmix).
- Fold in nuts or raisins if using.
- Pour into pan and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before slicing.
🍏 What makes it special
Applesauce cake is known for its soft crumb and cozy spice flavor. The applesauce keeps it moist without needing much fat, which is why it stays tender for days.
🔄 Easy variations
- Healthier version: replace half the oil with extra applesauce
- Extra spice: add cloves or ginger
- Frosting idea: cream cheese frosting or a light powdered sugar glaze
- Chocolate twist: add 2–3 tbsp cocoa powder for a spiced chocolate cake
If you want, I can also give you a no-egg version, eggless baking in Pakistani ovens, or a microwave mug version.
