Apple Sauce Cake is a classic American dessert from the early to mid-20th century, often served during the cooler months when apples were plentiful. The use of applesauce keeps the cake moist and tender, while butter and sugar give it a rich, comforting flavor. Spices like cloves add warmth, making it a perfect treat for autumn gatherings, holiday tables, or Sunday suppers. Its charm lies in its simplicity, no frosting is needed, as the moist texture and bursts of raisins make it satisfying on its own. This cake is a nostalgic favorite, evoking the flavors of old-fashioned home baking.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups applesauce
- 1 egg (beaten separately)
- 2 cups flour (sifted 3 times)
- 1 cup raisins (chopped)
- 1 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)
- 2 tsp baking soda (level, dissolved in applesauce)
- ¼ tsp cloves
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Oven & Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Applesauce & Egg
- Stir in the applesauce. Add the beaten egg and mix until well blended.
Step 4: Sift Dry Ingredients
- Sift flour three times with salt and cloves. Gradually add dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently.
Step 5: Add Raisins & Soda
- Stir in the raisins and optional nuts. Dissolve baking soda into the applesauce portion before mixing it in fully.
Step 6: Bake
- Pour batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool & Serve
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Use unsweetened applesauce to better control sweetness.
- Add cinnamon or nutmeg alongside the cloves for a deeper spice flavor.
- Substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
- Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch (if not already using nuts).
- Dust the finished cake with powdered sugar instead of frosting to keep it traditional.
- Bake as cupcakes or in mini loaf pans—adjust baking time accordingly.
- Replace raisins with chopped dates or dried cranberries for variation.
- Add a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and apple juice for extra apple flavor.
- For extra moisture, do not overbake, remove when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- This cake freezes well; wrap tightly and thaw at room temperature.
Nutrition
Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1.5mg
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