Applesauce Cake Recipe (Old-Fashioned Easy Recipe)
Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Allison Lancaster
This Old Fashioned Applesauce Spice Cake recipe is packed with apple flavor, chopped walnuts, and golden raisins. It will take your tastebuds on a delectable trip down memory lane.
This rich, moist, and fragrant applesauce cake recipe is a quick and easy way to celebrate autumn and welcome the holidays!
When you are craving a delightful apple dessert, this moist applesauce cake is the perfect answer. This delightfully moist spiced cake is made with apple pie spice, walnuts, and unsweetened apple sauce.
This old-fashioned spiced applesauce cake recipe is packed with apple flavor, chopped walnuts, golden raisins, and warm spices.
The texture of this recipe is very similar to that of lighter banana bread; however, it has the added bonus of being packed full of warm apple flavor!
Why you’ll love this Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake with Golden Raisins
- This applesauce raisin cake is ideal for welcoming fall when apples and walnuts are in season. But it tastes fantastic any time of year. It is a sure blockbuster among family and friends.
- Applesauce cake can be served straight from the pan to your plate. It does not involve any intricate decorations. It is beautiful and delicious on its own.
- This cake is perfect for people who prefer to enjoy the flavor of a good cake without any icing. However, you can top it with cream cheese icing, whipped cream, or buttercream frosting if you’d like.
What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Applesauce Cake?
Ingredients & Substitutions:
Wet Ingredients:
- unsalted butter: If you do use salted butter you will want to omit the salt from the recipe.
- white sugar: I personally use Aldi’s brand of white sugar for most of my baking and find that it works well!
- brown sugar: This is key to this recipe and creating a decadent applesauce cake.
- eggs: You’ll want to use large fresh eggs.
- vanilla extract: This is key to the flavor of the cake so be sure that yours is a high-quality extract.
- unsweetened applesauce: Be sure to use unsweetened applesauce or your cake may be too sweet for your liking. You could also use cinnamon applesauce for a boost of spice!
- milk: Whole milk is ideal for this recipe although 2% would work as well.
Dry Ingredients:
- all-purpose flour: You can also use a gluten-free flour if you prefer.
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt: Remember: if you use salted butter, you need to omit this.
- apple pie spice
Other Ingredients:
- golden raisins
- coarsely chopped walnuts
Pro Tip: Ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves may be substituted for the apple pie spice.
Equipment Needed for Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake
- 9×13 baking pan (my favorite baking pan is this one from USA Pan)
- Two Large Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Parchment paper
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
How to Make the Best Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake?
- Preheat the oven. Prepare a baking pan with parchment paper spritzed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and then add the sugar and brown sugar, beating until completely combined.
- To the mixing bowl, add the eggs and vanilla. Beat until incorporated. Then add the applesauce and milk, beating until mixed well.
- Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and beat just until combined.
- Fold in the raisins and walnuts.
- Transfer the batter to the baking dish and spread evenly.
- Bake.
- Cool completely in the baking pan on a wire rack.
- Lift the cake from the baking pan using parchment paper. Gently cut into squares using a serrated knife.
- Top with powdered sugar or whipped cream if desired.
How do I store this easy applesauce cake recipe?
This applesauce cake will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days. However, if you live in a hot and humid climate, keep the cake in the refrigerator. It will last up to a week in the fridge.
Can You Freeze This Spiced Apple Cake?
Yes! This old-fashioned applesauce spice cake freezes incredibly well! You’ll want to allow it to cool completely before wrapping it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months; defrost overnight before serving or icing.
Substitutions and Variations
- Frosting: Instead of whipped cream or powdered sugar, you can use buttercream frosting or cream cheese. This applesauce spice cake is delicious with an easy cream cheese frosting!
- Raisins: You can substitute bourbon raisins for golden raisins. These alcohol-soaked raisins are another option if you are baking for adults 21+.
- More Fragrant: If you prefer a heavier spiced cake, then you can add an extra teaspoon of apple pie seasoning.
Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake FAQs
What if I can’t find unsweetened apple sauce?
If you can’t find unsweetened store-bought applesauce, you can either make your own homemade applesauce or substitute it for sweetened or even unsweetened cinnamon applesauce. Unsweetened applesauce is readily available at most grocery stores, so you’re unlikely not to find it.
What is Apple Pie Spice?
Apple pie spice is a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. It is perfect for baking with apples! You should be able to find apple pie spice in the baking aisle of your local grocery store.
What are Golden Raisins?
Golden raisins are actually made from green grapes that have been sun-dried, just like the traditional brown raises you see in the store. The key difference is the processing method, as they are treated with sulfur dioxide, giving them their signature golden glow.
Can I use fresh apples?
Sure! You are welcome to play around with different types of apples! Granny Smith will be a great option if you want tartness in the cake, while Honeycrisp will give it an extra sweetness. If you don’t have access to fresh apples, store-bought apple pie filling will work, too. You’ll want to turn your apples into applesauce to maintain the same consistency.
Can I use a loaf pan?
Yes, you can use a loaf pan. A bundt cake pan and muffin tins work with this recipe, too! You’ll need to adjust the cooking time as necessary.
Do I have to use raisins in applesauce cake?
No! You don’t have to use raisins when making this applesauce spice cake.
Homemade Old Fashioned Applesauce Spice Cake
This Old Fashioned Applesauce Spice Cake recipe is packed with apple flavor, chopped walnuts, and golden raisins. It will take your tastebuds on a delectable trip down memory lane. This rich, moist, and fragrant Applesauce Cake recipe is a quick and easy way to celebrate autumn and welcome the holidays!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper spritzed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and then add the sugar and brown sugar, beating until completely combined.
- To the mixing bowl, add the eggs and vanilla. Beat until incorporated. Then add the applesauce and milk, beating until mixed well.
- Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and beat just until combined.
- Fold in the raisins and walnuts.
- Transfer the batter to the baking dish and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted returns clean.
- Cool completely in the baking pan on a wire rack.
- Lift the cake from the baking pan using the parchment paper. Gently cut into squares using a serrated knife.
- Top with powdered sugar or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon ground cloves may be substituted for the apple pie spice.
You can leave the raisins out if you prefer to do so.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 394mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 2gSugar: 37gProtein: 6g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate. Please read our terms of use.
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