Imagine a cake that wraps you in warm memories, fills your kitchen with aromatic spices, and delivers a moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth. This isn't just any ordinary cake - it's a time-honored family recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you're craving a comforting treat or looking to impress your guests, Mom's Applesauce Spice Cake is about to become your new favorite baking adventure!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients and removes any lumps.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and unsweetened applesauce until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can result in a tough cake.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn out the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Once cooled, dust the cake with powdered sugar or frost with a cream cheese frosting for added sweetness.
- Slice and serve the cake at room temperature. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea.
Tips
- Use room temperature eggs and applesauce for smoother batter integration
- Don't overmix the batter - mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender
- For extra moisture, use unsweetened applesauce with no added sugar
- Check cake doneness early - start testing at 35 minutes to prevent overcooking
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting or dusting with powdered sugar
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
- For added depth, consider using freshly ground spices instead of pre-ground
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 290kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg
