Easy Applesauce Spice Cake Recipe

This easy applesauce spice cake from scratch recipe is quick to throw together for a family friendly dessert that will remind you of Fall flavors no matter what time of year you make it!

Old fashioned applesauce spice cake is so easy to make!! Using bottled store bought or homemade it comes out moist and delicious every single time. A quick easy dessert recipe that is great for a crowd. (affiliate links present)

I love me a good dump cake. When people pop up unexpectedly or I just have a sweet tooth you too should try and serve this to your fam bam. This one doesn’t use cake mix like many of the others, it’s homemade from scratch but just as easy. Trust me I don’t do difficult. 😉

Applesauce Cake with Raisins

There are several add ins you can throw in too if you like. Raisins, chopped nuts and even pumpkin pie spice work great. I like a bit of chunk to it but if yours is super smooth that works too. Let’s start with the star of the show first off shall we……. Instant Pot applesauce works fantastic.

Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake Ingredients

This way I can get it just the way I want it to have. A little bit of larger pieces just adds to the overall flavor and texture of the dish. I can add cinnamon if I want or leave it plain too. This is what you’ll want to have on hand;

1. If you don’t want to use homemade applesauce you can definitely get a container here.
2. All purpose flour, make sure you know how to measure flour properly.
3. Baking soda and baking powder
4. Butter
5. Sugar
6. Brown sugar
7. Eggs
8. Vanilla
9. Milk
10. Raisins are optional

Apple pie spice is of course optional but a good add in for sure. You can make this dairy free if necessary, we have to do that for my husband. Country Crock has a great vegan plant based butter product in sticks, and lactose free works great too. BAM!

As with any other type of simple cake recipe you’ll need to blend the wet ingredients in a different bowl than the flour and baking soda kind of dry items. Then incorporate the two until blended and fold in additional items at the end.

How to Make Applesauce Spice Bundt Cake

It doesn’t really matter whether you want to use this 9×13″ like here or a pan like we did with this pumpkin gingerbread bundt cake. The timing may be slightly different but not much. To ensure you do not over-bake it and allow it to dry out check it often at the end. Use a toothpick if you like but I just opt for my fingertip.

Once the middle bounces back when touched gently in the center I yank it out! Setting it on a cooling rack at that time is key too. Allow a good 10 minutes to rest and then slice that baby up.

Applesauce Spice Cake Muffins

As muffins the bake time would be the fastest at about 18-22 minutes or until top springs back when touched gently. Mini muffins are closer to 11 min. Take out of the pan and on to a cooling rack when done so they stay moist.

How to Bake a Cake with Applesauce

This ingredient can be used to replace oil, eggs or butter when baking a cake. In this case we are using 2 of them (without the oil) so it is as tender as possible. If you wanted to make it healthier you could tweak a bit to add more and eliminate one of the others.

How much applesauce for one egg in cake?

If you just wanted to use 1 egg instead of 2 you would want to add 1/4 cup of applesauce for every egg replaced. Remember that if you do this it will be less fluffy. You will end up with a more dense cake but definitely an option.

I always spray with non stick coating or use parchment paper like this. There is nothing worse than making something that smells delicious only to try and get it out and it’s not going anywhere. This way is actual best. Then you can lift the paper right out, allow it to cool outside of that really hot pan and slice it without contending with the sides. Alternatively use a greased and floured pan.

NO real need for a stand or electric mixer, you can just use a large bowl and good old fashioned elbow grease really.

Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake from Scratch

This is a 9×13″ cake pan, I’m sure you have one of those baking pans already. For the top you can use Cool whip, whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar or gently melt a tub of cream cheese frosting.

For the last make sure you don’t put it on until you have a completely cooled cake. 15 minutes won’t do it, you’ll likely need closer to 30. If not you’ll have a runny mess.

On top you could sprinkle 1/4 cup more crushed nuts or 1/2 cup raisins. Totally up to you on that. Serving it “topless” is just as yummy and not as sweet.

How to Make Applesauce Spice Cake

Preheat oven to 350. In a 9×13″ pan spray with non stick spray. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice.

• In a different bowl beat butter until fluffy and then add sugar and brown sugar. Beat until completely combined. Add the eggs and vanilla, mix again.
• Add in applesauce and milk, beat until mixed. Slowly incorporate flour mixture and beat until just combined together. Fold in raisins and walnuts if desired.
• Pour into your prepared pan and spread out evenly.
• Then bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Remove and cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.
• Top with cream cheese, powdered sugar or plain.

We love making zucchini applesauce muffins too. Since they are made smaller they don’t take as much time to bake and you can grab and take one to go.