The applesauce cake recipe is not only a great choice for those who love the taste of apples, but also a great way to enjoy a soft and flavorful cake. Let’s discover how to make this delicious applesauce cake!
What is applesauce cake?
Applesauce cake is a moist and flavorful cake that incorporates applesauce as one of its main ingredients. The use of applesauce not only adds moisture to the cake but also imparts a delicious apple flavor. It’s a classic dessert that’s often enjoyed during the fall season when apples are in abundance, but it’s delightful any time of the year.
Applesauce Cake Recipe
The exact recipe for applesauce cake can vary, but it typically includes ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, butter or oil, baking soda or baking powder, and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Some recipes also call for chopped nuts, raisins, or other mix-ins to add texture and flavor.
Applesauce cake can be served plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with a glaze or frosting for added sweetness. It’s a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed as a simple snack, a casual treat, or dressed up for special occasions. Additionally, it can often be made vegan or gluten-free with appropriate ingredient substitutions, making it accessible to a wider range of dietary preferences.
Applesauce cake recipe instructions
Here’s a simple recipe for making a delicious applesauce cake:
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Applesauce cake recipe instructions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add nuts (optional): If you’re using chopped nuts, fold them into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Transfer to baking pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Once cooled, you can dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar if desired. Slice and serve the cake, and enjoy!
Variations and tips for applesauce cake recipe
Here are some variations and tips you can consider for your applesauce cake recipe:
Variations
- Add fruits: Fold in chopped apples, raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots for extra texture and flavor.
- Spice it up: Experiment with different spices such as cloves, ginger, or allspice to enhance the flavor profile of the cake.
- Nuts: Choose your favorite nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds to add crunch and richness to the cake.
- Glaze or frosting: Top your cake with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, or frost it with cream cheese frosting for a decadent touch.
- Whole grain: Substitute part or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or oat flour for a heartier and slightly nuttier flavor.
- Vegan option: Use plant-based butter or oil, flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), and plant-based milk to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour to make the cake gluten-free. Ensure other ingredients are also certified gluten-free if necessary.
Variations and tips for applesauce cake recipe
Tips
- Use unsweetened applesauce: This allows you to control the sweetness of the cake better and prevents it from becoming too sweet.
- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and applesauce are at room temperature before mixing. This helps in achieving a smoother batter and even baking.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can result in a dense or tough cake.
- Properly measure your flour: Use the spoon and level method to measure your flour accurately. Scoop the flour into the measuring cup with a spoon and then level it off with a flat edge.
- Check for doneness: Use a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake to check for doneness. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached when the cake is ready.
- Cool completely: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing it. This helps prevent it from breaking apart.
- Store properly: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to several days, or in the refrigerator for longer storage. Warm it slightly before serving if desired.
Variations and tips for applesauce cake recipe
In conclusion
Applesauce cake recipe is a perfect dessert for any occasion of the year. You can enjoy this cake with family and friends at parties or simply enjoy it alone on days when nothing beats the fresh taste of an apple.