Description
This classic Amish Applesauce Cake is a moist, spiced dessert bursting with warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Made with unsweetened applesauce, it offers a tender texture and a subtle sweetness, enhanced with optional raisins and nuts for added richness and bite. Perfect for any occasion, this old-fashioned cake pairs wonderfully with a dusting of powdered sugar or cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring proper aeration for a tender cake.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Applesauce: Mix the unsweetened applesauce into the wet ingredients until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the raisins and chopped walnuts or pecans if you choose to include them, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the prepared batter into the greased baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating it is fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing to help it set properly. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or frost with cream cheese frosting before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor and presentation, sprinkle powdered sugar over the cooled cake or add a simple cream cheese frosting.
- The cake is moist and actually tastes even better the next day as the spices continue to develop.
