Description

This Amish Applesauce Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert bursting with warm spices and the natural sweetness of applesauce. Made with a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, plus crunchy nuts and optional raisins, it offers a delightful balance of texture and rich autumnal flavors. Perfect for family gatherings or a comforting treat, this classic cake is easy to prepare and bakes to a golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
2 cups applesauce
1/2 cup milk

Dry Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Add-ins

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup raisins (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking pan by either spraying a 9 x 13-inch pan or greasing and flouring a bundt pan to prevent sticking.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy to incorporate air for a tender cake.
Add Eggs: Beat in one whole egg plus one additional yolk thoroughly to the creamed mixture, which adds richness and structure.
Mix in Wet Ingredients: Stir in the applesauce and milk until well combined, adding moisture and natural sweetness to the batter.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture while mixing on medium-low speed until just incorporated to avoid overmixing and toughening the cake.
Add Nuts and Raisins: Fold in the chopped nuts and optional raisins gently to ensure they are evenly spread throughout the batter.
Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake the 9 x 13-inch cake for about 40 minutes or the bundt cake for about 55 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out with only a few dry crumbs.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely before removing it from the pan. Optionally dust with powdered sugar or top with your favorite frosting before serving.

Notes

Use unsweetened applesauce for best flavor balance unless you prefer extra sweetness.
Chopped nuts can be substituted with your favorite nuts or omitted for a nut-free version.
Raisins are optional, but they add additional sweetness and texture.
Ensure not to overmix once the dry ingredients are added to maintain a tender crumb.
This cake keeps well and tastes even better the next day stored in an airtight container.
For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40-55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American