Name: Amish Applesauce Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Cake: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 cup (1 stick) 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; 1 cup raisins or chopped nuts (optional); For the Glaze (optional): 1 cup powdered sugar; 2-3 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Picture this: a warm, spiced cake with just the right amount of sweetness and a tender crumb that melts in your mouth. That’s exactly what you get with this Amish Applesauce Cake. Trust me, this recipe is like a warm hug in dessert form. It’s not too fancy, but it’s perfectly comforting and full of cozy flavors. Whether you’re baking it for a family gathering or simply to treat yourself, this cake is bound to become a favorite. Plus, the applesauce gives it a wonderfully moist texture that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe. Get ready to fall in love with this old-fashioned delight!

Why You’ll Love Amish Applesauce Cake

This cake isn’t just a treat—it’s an experience. Here’s why it’s going to become your new go-to dessert:

Versatile: You can serve this cake for any occasion. Whether it’s a casual family dinner, a cozy coffee break, or even a special celebration, it fits right in. Plus, it’s equally delicious at room temperature, or warmed up with a dollop of whipped cream.

Budget-Friendly: With just a handful of basic pantry staples—like applesauce, flour, and spices—you’re all set. You don’t need anything fancy to create a dessert that tastes like it came straight from a charming bakery.

Quick and Easy: The best part? This cake is so easy to whip up! It’s perfect for beginner bakers or anyone who doesn’t have a ton of time but still wants to impress with a delicious homemade treat.

Moist and Flavorful: Thanks to the applesauce, this cake is incredibly moist. The blend of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg adds a wonderful warmth that will make your kitchen smell amazing.

Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone from kids to adults will adore this cake. It’s the kind of dessert that brings people together and leaves them smiling after each bite.

Ingredients

Here’s the magic of Amish Applesauce Cake—it’s made with simple ingredients, but the result is beyond delicious:

Applesauce: The hero ingredient. It adds moisture and a natural sweetness to the cake, helping it stay tender and soft. The applesauce also contributes a mild fruity flavor that pairs perfectly with the spices.

Flour: The foundation of the cake. It gives structure and helps hold everything together. You can use all-purpose flour or even a whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.

Sugar: Just the right amount of sweetness to balance the flavors. You’ll use a combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar for that extra depth of flavor.

Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light texture. It’s essential to make sure the cake doesn’t come out too dense.

Cinnamon, Cloves, and Nutmeg: These warm spices are the heart of the cake’s flavor. They create that cozy, fall-like taste that makes each bite so comforting.

Butter: Adds richness and flavor. It helps the cake achieve that perfect balance of moistness and tenderness.

Eggs: Eggs help bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.

Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla brings out the sweetness and enhances the other flavors, creating a harmonious taste.

(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s walk through the steps to make this flavorful Amish Applesauce Cake:

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the cake bakes evenly and gets that lovely golden-brown color.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This step helps distribute the spices evenly throughout the cake batter.

Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until smooth. Stir in the applesauce and vanilla extract, blending everything together well.

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—it’s okay if there are a few lumps!

Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9-inch round cake pan or an 8×8 square pan. Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen is about to smell amazing!

Cool and Enjoy: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice it up and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 210

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

How to Serve Amish Applesauce Cake

This cake is delightful on its own, but here are a few ways you can elevate your experience:

With Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of indulgence.

With a Cup of Tea or Coffee: This cake is perfect for an afternoon tea or coffee break. The warm spices make it an ideal pairing with your favorite hot beverage.

As a Breakfast Cake: Yes, it’s that good! Have a slice with your morning coffee, and you’ll be set for the day.

With a Drizzle of Caramel: If you’re feeling a little extra, drizzle some homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the top for a decadent treat.

For Special Occasions: Serve this cake at family gatherings, birthday parties, or holiday celebrations. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a tradition in the making.

Additional Tips

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Amish Applesauce Cake:

Use Unsweetened Applesauce: If you prefer a less sweet cake, go for unsweetened applesauce. You can adjust the sugar to taste to make up for the sweetness.

Add Walnuts or Raisins: If you want to add a little extra texture, stir in some chopped walnuts or raisins into the batter before baking.

Store Properly: Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want to store it longer, freeze individual slices for up to 2 months.

Make It Ahead: This cake gets even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld. It’s perfect for prepping ahead of time if you have a busy week coming up.

Try Different Spices: Feel free to experiment with other spices like allspice or ginger for a slightly different twist on the classic flavor profile.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I substitute the applesauce with something else?
A1: Yes! You can swap the applesauce for mashed bananas or pumpkin puree. Keep in mind that this will slightly change the flavor and texture, but it will still be delicious.

Q2: Can I make this cake without eggs?
A2: Absolutely! You can use a flax egg or an egg replacer to make this cake vegan-friendly.

Q3: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
A3: Yes! This cake actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Just store it in an airtight container.

Q4: Can I frost this cake?
A4: While this cake is delicious on its own, you could certainly frost it with a cream cheese frosting for an extra indulgent treat.

Q5: How do I store leftover cake?
A5: Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for longer shelf life.

Q6: Can I freeze this cake?
A6: Yes! Slice the cake and freeze individual pieces in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Q7: Can I add other fruit to the cake?
A7: Yes! Adding chopped apples, raisins, or even dried cranberries would complement the applesauce flavor beautifully.

Q8: Can I make this cake in a different pan size?
A8: Yes, you can. If you use a larger or smaller pan, you may need to adjust the baking time. Just check the center with a toothpick to ensure it’s done.

Q9: Can I reduce the amount of sugar?
A9: Absolutely! You can reduce the sugar by up to 25% if you prefer a less sweet cake, especially if you’re using sweet applesauce.

Q10: Can I double the recipe?
A10: Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in two pans or one larger pan. Just adjust the baking time accordingly.

Conclusion

This Amish Applesauce Cake is everything you could want in a dessert—comforting, flavorful, and oh-so-easy to make. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, this cake will bring warmth and joy to every bite. The moist texture, combined with the cozy blend of spices, makes this cake a true winner. Go ahead, give it a try—you’ll be glad you did!