A moist applesauce cake recipe spiced with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and frosted with tangy cream cheese frosting
This applesauce cake recipe blew me away! Each bite was spiced apple heaven. Combined with cream cheese frosting, and topped with a homemade caramel drip, I didn't want to stop eating!
This is the first cake recipe I've ever made with so little eggs! I had heard that applesauce makes a good egg replacer but I was skeptical. I'm happy to report this cake is very moist, has excellent texture and flavor! This cake recipe uses only one egg and less oil than other recipes so it's a healthier option if you're trying to cut down on fat.
Does applesauce cake taste like apples?
When I was first testing out a good applesauce cake recipe, I was confused about whether or not applesauce cake should taste like apples.
The funny thing is, I don't think you can even tell there are apples in this cake. The cake mostly tastes like spice cake but moister. That's from the applesauce! So don't expect this applesauce cake recipe to taste like apples, it just tastes like warm, cozy spice cake! Which isn't a bad thing!
Why use applesauce in baking?
Applesauce can be added to your cake as a 1:1 replacement for oil or melted butter. This reduces the total amount of fat and calories in your recipe if you want a healthier version of your cake without losing moisture.
You can also replace some of your eggs using applesauce. Use a quarter cup of unsweetened applesauce in place of one egg. I actually reduced the number of eggs in this recipe because of the added applesauce.
Can you use store-bought applesauce or should I make it fresh?
You can use either homemade unsweetened applesauce or store-bought applesauce. Sugar-free is preferred so that you can control the sweetness of your cake. If you are interested in learning how to make your own applesauce, it's super easy!
When I was growing up, we made applesauce every year and canned it. I recently asked my Dad for the same equipment we used when I was a kid to make applesauce. It was this crazy contraption that clamped to the table. We'd spend the day picking apples, chopping them and cooking them before pouring them into the machine that would separate skins and seeds from the soft apple filling.
Then we'd can the applesauce so we'd have it all year long. I remember many a pork chop being served with that homemade applesauce.
How to make an applesauce layer cake
Never made a cake before? Watch my "How to make your first cake" tutorial which covers everything from baking, frosting, filling and getting smooth edges.
After baking your cake layers, you want to let them cool. I let mine cool in the pan for about 15 minutes then I flip them out onto a cooling rack to cool further.
Once my cakes are barely warm, I wrap them in plastic wrap and put them in the freezer for about an hour so that I can trim the cakes and fill them right away.
When I'm making my vanilla cake or other lighter colored cakes, I will trim off the dome and the brown edges but obviously, for this kind of cake, you don't have to do that. Just trim off the dome to make your layers flat before filling them with your frosting.
My cake is filled and frosted with cream cheese frosting but brown butter buttercream would also taste amazing!
I decided to just go super simple with the cake design and just do a nice smooth layer of cream cheese frosting and do a caramel sauce drip.
I had some leftover caramel in my fridge so I just warmed it up a bit (not hot!) and put it into a plastic bottle to pipe my drips.
Then I topped the cake with some super simple dollops of buttercream using a Wilton tip #32 but you can use whatever tip you like!
This applesauce cake was a HUGE hit in our house! Every last bite was devoured! The cake is moist and perfectly balanced by the tang of the cream cheese frosting!
Can you use this applesauce cake recipe for stacked cakes?
You can definitely use this applesauce cake recipe for stacked cakes. It has a nice firm crumb that is strong enough to hold up under buttercream and fondant.
I love how fine and tender the crumb was! Tell me this doesn't make your mouth water!
Can you make this into applesauce cupcakes?
You can convert this recipe into applesauce cupcakes by leaving out the oil. Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Fill your cupcake liners ⅔ of the way full. I like to use a small ice cream scoop. Bake your cupcakes for 5 minutes at 400ºF then reduce the temperature to 350ºF. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN. Opening the oven can cause your cupcakes to deflate.
Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the domes are set. Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting.
Want more delicious fall flavors? Check these out!
Pumpkin Spice Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Pineapple Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
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Cups of Batter Needed
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5 cups
Note: measurements are estimated based off the vanilla cake recipe using standard US cake pans and sizes. Measurements used are for 2" tall cake pans only. Your results may vary. Do not overfill cake pans above manufacturer's recommended guidelines.
Recipe
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- #32 Wilton Piping Tip
- Piping Bag or Bottle
Ingredients
Applesauce Cake Ingredients
- 4 oz unsalted butter softened
- 10 oz granulated sugar
- 3 oz oil
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 10 oz cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 oz applesauce unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 36 oz powdered sugar
Instructions
Before you Begin
- Preheat your oven to 350º F and prepare your cake pans with cake goop or your preferred pan release. Have your butter, egg, and cream cheese at room temperature before starting.
Applesauce Cake Instructions
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth with the whisk attachment.
- Sprinkle in the sugar and whip on high until white and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the oil and whip another minute.
- Switch to the paddle attachment. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Add the applesauce and mix until fully combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a rubber spatula.
- Bake until the cakes feel firm in the center and a toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, 25 to 35 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions
- Place the softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and cream on low until smooth.
- Add the softened cream cheese in small chunks and blend on low until smooth and combined.
- Add the orange extract and salt. Add the sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time and mix until combined.
Mallory Faust says
Hi- I’m making a wedding cake with this recipe. Can these layers freeze well so you think?
Liz Marek says
yes you can freeze the layers
AnnaMarie DelCasale says
Another winner! Your recipes always result in delicious desserts that are flawless. I made this in a bundt pan. I didn't have cream cheese so I made a pumpkin spice russian buttercream. The cake was a hit!
Anna says
Crazy good - no - GREAT!! I followed recipe precisely. Made it in a 9 x 13 baked 35 min - even the batter was delicious. Easy to make. Have never made a cake using applesauce. It was fabulous. So tender and moist.
Angela says
I made it for a friend's parents and they loved it. I put your apple filling between the layers and I made cinnamon cream cheese buttercream
Robyn says
I made this cake today in a 9x13 pan & paired it with a browned butter cream cheese frosting. It is by far the lightest, fluffiest, & best spice cake I’ve ever had! This is definitely going on my Must Bake list every Fall. Thanks!
Penda says
This looks so amazing, it is goi g to be my next project. But can I leave out the spices?
Sugar Geek Show says
Thank you! Yes you can, or try my vanilla cake recipe: https://sugargeekshow.com/vanilla-cake/