Description
This Amish Applesauce Cake is a moist, spiced dessert featuring a blend of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, combined with wholesome applesauce and enriched with optional nuts and raisins. Perfect for fall baking, it offers a tender crumb and warm flavors reminiscent of traditional Amish cooking, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the unsweetened applesauce and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently but thoroughly until the batter is fully combined without overmixing.
- Fold in Optional Ingredients: Gently fold in the chopped nuts and raisins if you choose to include them, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour and Spread Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish or pans and spread it out evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake the Cake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the Amish Applesauce Cake plain, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with a rich cream cheese frosting for added indulgence.
Notes
- This cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld and deepen.
- You can substitute part of the applesauce with crushed pineapple to add a fruity twist and extra moisture.
- For nut allergies, simply omit the nuts without affecting the overall texture significantly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
