Grandma Florence's Applesauce Cake

Sink your teeth into nostalgia with Grandma Florence's Applesauce Cake, a timeless dessert brimming with heartwarming flavors and rustic charm. This moist and tender cake features the perfect balance of warming spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves—paired with the natural sweetness of unsweetened applesauce. Creamy butter, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla create a rich, comforting base, while optional add-ins like raisins and walnuts lend delightful texture and bursts of flavor. Ready in just over an hour, this easy-to-make cake can be enjoyed plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with cream cheese frosting for an elegant twist. Perfect for cozy family gatherings or as a delectable teatime treat, this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 units large eggs
• 1.5 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup raisins (optional)
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed.

Step 4

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 5

Mix in the applesauce and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 6

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 7

If using, fold in the raisins and chopped walnuts with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Step 8

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 10

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

Optionally, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or top with cream cheese frosting before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1203.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3585.6

Total Fat 149.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 68.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 630.3mg	0%
Sodium 1903.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 540.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.4g	0%
Total Sugars 337.8g
Protein 48.6g	0%

Vitamin D 138.3IU	0%
Calcium 262.9mg	0%
Iron 16.6mg	0%
Potassium 1096.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.3%

Protein: 5.3%

Carbs: 58.4%