There’s something truly comforting about a moist, spiced cake that captures the essence of fall in every bite. This Amish Applesauce Cake is a timeless classic that combines the natural sweetness of applesauce with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, all baked into a tender, golden cake. It’s simple to make, utterly delicious, and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or even an afternoon snack. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating a dish that’s as heartwarming as it is satisfying. Here’s why it’s a favorite
Moist and Flavorful: The applesauce adds natural moisture and sweetness, ensuring the cake stays soft and tender without needing extra oil or butter
Spice-Packed: Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves give the cake a cozy, inviting aroma that fills your home while baking. Perfect for fall!
Quick and Easy: With minimal prep time and no need for fancy equipment, this cake comes together in under 30 minutes. Ideal for busy days when you still want something homemade
Customizable: Add walnuts, raisins, or cream cheese frosting for extra flair. Swap out spices or adjust sweetness levels to suit your taste buds
Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. Whether served plain or topped with whipped cream, this cake satisfies everyone at the table
Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cake. Use whole wheat flour for a healthier twist if desired
Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent to help the cake rise evenly
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth of flavor. Don’t skimp on this essential spice!
Nutmeg and Cloves: Subtle notes of nutmeg and cloves enhance the overall spiciness without overpowering the apple flavor
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together while adding richness and moisture. Beat them lightly before mixing
Sugar: Sweetens the cake naturally. Brown sugar works beautifully for added caramelized flavor
Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender. Vegetable or canola oil works best here
Vanilla Extract: Adds a hint of vanilla for extra depth. Use pure extract for the best results
Applesauce: The star of the show. Unsweetened applesauce ensures the cake isn’t overly sweet while keeping it incredibly moist
Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy release
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until well combined. Set aside
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then stir in sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and applesauce until smooth
Blend Everything Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the cake dense
Add Mix-Ins (Optional): Fold in chopped walnuts or raisins if using for added texture and flavor
Pour and Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean
Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream if desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 220
How to Serve Amish Applesauce Cake
This cake pairs wonderfully with various accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience
Whipped Cream: Top each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for extra indulgence
Powdered Sugar: Dust the cake with powdered sugar for a touch of elegance and sweetness
Ice Cream: Serve with a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream for a decadent dessert
As a Standalone: Sometimes, this cake is perfectly delightful on its own. Simply slice and savor every bite!
FAQ Section
- Can I use sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened? Yes, but keep in mind the cake will be sweeter. Reduce the sugar slightly if using sweetened applesauce
- What type of flour should I use? All-purpose flour works best for a light, tender crumb. For a healthier option, substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour
- Can I make this cake ahead of time? Absolutely! Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze individual slices for longer storage
- How do I store leftover cake? Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For extended freshness, refrigerate or freeze
- Can I freeze this cake? Yes! Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving
- Can I double the recipe? Definitely. Doubling the recipe is simple and ensures you have plenty for leftovers or feeding a crowd
- Is this recipe suitable for a low-sugar diet? Not as written, but you can reduce the sugar or substitute with a sugar alternative like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-sugar option
- Can I skip the nuts? You can, though walnuts add crunch and flavor. Omit them or substitute with pecans if preferred
- Do I need to use oil? Oil keeps the cake moist, but you can substitute with melted butter or applesauce for a lighter version
- Can I add chocolate chips to the cake? Absolutely! Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips would pair beautifully with the spiced applesauce flavor. Fold them in gently during the mixing process
Conclusion
There you have it a delicious and comforting Amish Applesauce Cake that’s sure to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen. With its perfect blend of warm spices, natural sweetness, and tender crumb, it’s a cake that satisfies both your cravings and nostalgia. So gather your ingredients, fire up the oven, and let’s bake something amazing together! Your taste buds and your loved ones will thank you
Print
Amish Applesauce Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amish, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A moist and flavorful Amish Applesauce Cake infused with warm spices, applesauce, and a hint of sweetness. Perfect for fall gatherings, holiday treats, or a cozy dessert!
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or a bundt pan.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and applesauce: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the applesauce.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in raisins and nuts, if using.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze (optional): In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy this warm, spiced treat with a cup of coffee or tea.
Notes
- For a healthier option, swap half the butter for unsweetened applesauce.
- Add a touch of orange zest for a citrusy twist.
- Pairs well with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: ~280 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg