Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake Recipe
If you love desserts that feel like a warm hug, you are going to adore this Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake. It’s a cozy, tender treat full of autumnal spices and the natural sweetness and moisture from applesauce that keep every bite delightfully soft. This cake strikes the perfect balance—rich with spicy warmth yet wonderfully light, making it a standout favorite for any gathering or a quiet moment with your favorite cup of tea. Once you try this Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake, it’s likely to become your go-to when you want something comforting but not too heavy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and how each ingredient plays a crucial role. From the warmth of the spices that create the cake’s signature flavor to the applesauce and sour cream that ensure an incredibly moist texture, these ingredients come together to make a cake that feels thoughtfully crafted yet easy to prepare.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that provides structure and tenderness.
- Baking soda and baking powder: These leavening agents help the cake rise perfectly and create a light crumb.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves: The charming spice blend infuses every bite with warmth and complexity.
- Salt: A pinch elevates and balances the sweetness and spices.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create that soft crumb we all love.
- Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: A duo that adds sweetness and depth along with extra moisture.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while giving the cake structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the cake’s flavors with a hint of fragrant sweetness.
- Unsweetened applesauce: The secret to the cake’s moistness and natural fruity flavor.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tanginess that balances the sweetness.
- Chopped nuts (optional): For a delightful crunch and texture contrast.
- Raisins or dried cranberries (optional): Little bursts of chewy sweetness scattered throughout.
How to Make Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly to ensure your cake doesn’t stick, making it easier to remove once baked and cooled. This small step sets you up for a smooth baking experience and a perfectly formed cake.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and salt. This not only combines them evenly but also helps to activate the aromatic spices so their fragrance fills your kitchen as you work.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is key—it creates tiny air pockets that lighten the cake’s texture and ensures your Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake won’t be dense.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, which helps build structure and incorporates air evenly. Stir in the vanilla extract next, infusing delightful aromatic notes that complement the spice blend beautifully.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix just until combined to keep the cake tender. Overmixing can develop gluten and result in unwanted toughness, so gently fold the batter for best results.
Step 6: Fold in Applesauce and Sour Cream
Gently fold in the applesauce and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) until smooth. These ingredients are the heart of the cake’s moisture and tender crumb, ensuring every slice stays soft and flavorful even after cooling.
Step 7: Add Nuts and Dried Fruit (If Using)
If you love a little texture contrast, now’s the time to fold in chopped nuts and raisins or dried cranberries. They add pockets of crunch and bursts of sweetness that make the cake even more interesting and delightful to eat.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth it out with a spatula. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The warm fragrant spices and moist crumb will have your kitchen smelling irresistible!
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This resting time helps the flavors meld beautifully and makes it easier to cut neat slices. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream if you want to elevate your serving.
How to Serve Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar is all you need to elevate the look and add a touch of sweetness. For an extra special treat, top slices with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which complements the warm spices and fruity notes perfectly.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai, or spiced tea. For a brunch gathering, serve alongside fresh fruit or a mild cheese plate for contrast. The balance of spice and moisture in the cake means it stands up well to both sweet and savory companions.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving small cubes of the Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake on skewers paired with marinated apple slices for a fancy twist. You can also layer it with cinnamon whipped cream and apple compote in a dessert jar for an elegant, portable treat that impresses guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake actually benefits from a day or two in storage, as the flavors deepen and develop even more.
Freezing
You can freeze this cake either whole or in slices. Wrap it well with plastic wrap followed by foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and it will retain its moist and tender texture.
Reheating
To enjoy this cake warmed, pop a slice in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or warm it in a low oven (300°F) wrapped in foil for 10 minutes. Reheating brings back that freshly baked feeling and intensifies the inviting aroma of the spices.
FAQs
Can I substitute the butter with oil?
While butter adds flavor and richness, you can use a mild oil like vegetable or canola to keep the cake moist. The texture will be slightly different—less crumbly and more tender—but still delicious.
Is it necessary to use both baking soda and baking powder?
Yes, the combination helps achieve the perfect rise and texture. Baking soda reacts with the acidic applesauce and sour cream to lift the cake, while baking powder provides additional leavening for a lighter crumb.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to preserve the cake’s structure and moist crumb.
What if I don’t have all the spices listed?
While the full blend creates the iconic flavor, cinnamon and nutmeg alone will deliver a tasty cake. Feel free to adjust spices based on your preference or pantry availability—you’ll still end up with a lovely Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake.
Can I use sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened?
Using sweetened applesauce will add extra sweetness, so reduce the granulated sugar by a couple of tablespoons to balance it out. This tweak keeps the cake from becoming overly sweet while maintaining its moist texture.
Final Thoughts
This Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake truly shines as a heartfelt homemade dessert that feels both indulgent and wholesome. Its moist crumb, warm spices, and subtle fruity flavor make it a joy to bake and share year-round. I can’t encourage you enough to give this recipe a try—it’s one that will greet you with comfort every time you slice a piece.
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Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Moist Spiced Baked Applesauce Cake is a perfect autumn treat that combines warm spices with the natural sweetness of applesauce. Tender and flavorful, it’s a comforting dessert or snack, enhanced with optional nuts and dried fruit for added texture.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing and developing gluten.
- Fold in Applesauce and Sour Cream: Gently fold in the applesauce and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) until the batter becomes smooth and uniform.
- Add Nuts and Dried Fruit: If using, carefully fold in the chopped nuts and raisins or dried cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based butter and use coconut yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.
- Feel free to replace the nuts and dried fruit with your favorites like chopped walnuts or dried cherries.
- This cake keeps well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- To enhance the spice flavor, consider adding a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom.
- Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream adds protein and a slight tang while maintaining moisture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of the cake)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: applesauce cake, spiced cake, moist cake, fall dessert, baked applesauce cake, easy cake recipe, cinnamon cake
