Description
This Moist Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake is a comforting classic loaded with apple flavor, warm spices, and a tender crumb. Topped with a buttery caramel glaze and optional walnuts, it’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or a nostalgic weekday dessert.
Ingredients
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and oil until light and smooth. Stir in vanilla and applesauce.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir until combined. Fold in walnuts if using.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface.
6. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack.
7. While cooling, make the glaze: In a saucepan, melt butter, then stir in brown sugar and milk. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
8. Pour glaze over cooled cake. Let set before slicing.
Notes
For a rustic touch, use chunky applesauce instead of smooth.
Let the cake cool completely before glazing to avoid soaking the top layer too much.
You can substitute pecans for walnuts or skip nuts entirely for a smoother texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg