Applesauce Cake Recipe: 3 Tips for Making Applesauce Cake
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Oct 2, 2021 • 2 min read
A foolproof applesauce cake recipe means a low-key crowd-pleaser is minutes away, anytime.
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What Is Applesauce Cake?
Applesauce cake is a type of spice cake that consists of unsweetened applesauce, flour, sugar, and eggs. The cake combines store-bought or homemade applesauce with warm spices that evoke the best parts of apple pie and apple cider. You can top applesauce cake with a sweet crumble to transform it into a coffee cake, adorn it with cream cheese frosting for a more classic dessert like carrot cake, or serve it plain with a dusting of powdered sugar for a tea-time snack.
3 Tips for Making Applesauce Cake
Applesauce cake is a simple recipe with lots of room for personalization. Here are some tips to consider when making the apple-forward dessert:
- 1. Make it gluten-free. Applesauce cake batter can handle various flour mixtures, but it relies on leavening agents, like baking soda, for its interior structure. To make gluten-free applesauce cake consider using rice flour or oat flour instead of wheat flour.
- 2. Get creative with mix-ins and toppings. Mix-ins and toppings allow you to tamp down or amplify the cake’s sweetness: Fold in a handful of chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and dried fruit (like cranberries or raisins) for texture, or top with fresh apples and brown sugar for a caramelized, sweet surface.
- 3. Make cupcakes or muffins. For an easy single-serving snack, bake applesauce cake batter in a cupcake or muffin tin.
Applesauce Spice Cake Recipe
makes
1 9-inch cakeprep time
10 mintotal time
1 hrcook time
50 minIngredients
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round baking pan with butter and set it aside.
- 2
Place the sliced apples, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and vanilla paste in a medium bowl; toss to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.
- 3
Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to mix evenly.
- 4
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars together on medium speed until they’re light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- 5
Reduce to low speed and add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- 6
Next, add the vanilla extract, applesauce, and apple butter to the mixer, then mix to combine.
- 7
Add the dry ingredients in two batches, and mix just until no dry spots remain. Fold in the chopped nuts or raisins, if using.
- 8
Pour the batter over the layer of sliced apples and use a spatula to smooth the surface.
- 9
Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs and the surface is springy and set, about 45–50 minutes, depending on your oven.
- 10
Remove the cake from the oven, and run a butter knife or offset spatula around the edge of the cake pan. Place a plate over the top of the pan, and quickly invert the cake. Let it cool on a wire rack before serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
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