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
Scale
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
