This delicious and moist Applesauce Cake is made with applesauce, crisp apples, buttery pecans, plump raisins and a perfect blend of fall spices. I love to take this cake to potlucks, family reunions, and neighborhood shindigs. It has so much incredible flavor and it is even better the day after it has been baked.
I think I have mentioned a time or two that fall is my favorite time of the year. It will be here before you know it and with it comes everything apple. If your family is anything like mine then apple desserts are always a huge hit. This cake, Apple Cobbler, Apple Brown Betty and Crock Pot Apple Butter are just a few family and friends favorite apple recipes.
How to make Applesauce Cake?
First in a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Next using a hand mixer or stand mixer cream the butter and both sugars until light and creamy. Turn the mixer to low and add the applesauce and egg blending just until combined.
Now add the flour mixture in several increments mixing just until combined. Then stir in the apples, pecans, and raisins. Spoon into a greased baking dish. Finally bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If desired serve with warmed caramel sauce.
Helpful tips for this apple dessert
- If possible use unsweetened applesauce as there is already sugar in the recipe.
- The best apples for cooking are Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp and Braeburn.
- Walnuts can be substituted for the pecans.
- Do not over-mix the apple cake batter as this can make it tough.
- I like to serve this scrumptious apple cake with homemade or Smuckers caramel sauce but it is also delicious without it.
- This moist applesauce cake is even more delicious the day after baking so plan accordingly.
Recipe variations and additions for this Applesauce Cake
- Not everyone likes raisins. Omit the raisins and add another chopped apple to compensate for the lost moisture.
- Chopped walnuts are a great substitute for pecans.
- If nutmeg is not your thing substitute allspice, ginger or cloves.
- Do you want a fully frosted cake? Try this outstanding recipe for Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.
- Add 1/2 cup finely grated carrots and an 8 ounce can of crushed pineapple (well drained) for even more moisture and flavor.
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PrintApplesauce Cake
An easy family-friendly, scrumptiously moist applesauce spice cake with pecans and raisins. It is perfect for potlucks, family events, fall parties and festivals. Top this delicious apple cake with caramel sauce and serve with vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 apple finely chopped
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 x 8 inch baking dish
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer cream the butter and sugars; until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer to low and add applesauce and egg; blending just until combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture in three increments mixing just until combined after each increment. Stir in the apples, pecans, and raisins. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm. If desired serve with warm caramel sauce.
Notes
- If possible use unsweetened applesauce as there is already sugar in the recipe.
- The best apples for cooking are Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp and Braeburn.
- Walnuts can be substituted for the pecans.
- Do not over-mix the batter as this can make it tough.
- I like to serve this scrumptious cake with homemade or Smuckers caramel sauce but it is also delicious without it.
- This moist cake is even more delicious the day after baking so plan accordingly.
Keywords: applesauce spice cake, applesauce raisin cake, applesauce coffee cake
