Applesauce Cake

Posted in Recipe Collections / Grammie’s Recipes: From the Kitchen of Elsie Damren
Applesauce Cake
As the leaves turn and the air gets crisper, nothing says comfort quite like the scent of a freshly baked Applesauce Cake wafting through your home. This recipe is a treasure trove of flavors, blending spices, sweetness, and the wholesome goodness of applesauce into a moist, delightful cake that's as perfect for a cozy afternoon snack as it is for a festive gathering. Let's dive into this heartwarming recipe that promises to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup shortening
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp mixed spice or cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp powdered cloves
  • 1 cup seedless chopped raisins
  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 cup sweetened applesauce

Instructions

  1. Prep the Shortening: Begin by working the shortening with the back of a spoon until it's fluffy and creamy. This process ensures that your cake has a light and tender crumb.

  2. Mix in Sugar and Egg: Gradually add the granulated sugar to the shortening, continuing to work the mixture until it's light. Then, stir in the beaten egg until everything is well combined.

  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, mixed spice (or cinnamon), and powdered cloves. Then, fold in the chopped raisins and walnuts, ensuring they are evenly coated with the flour mixture. This not only adds flavor but also texture to your cake.

  4. Blend with Applesauce: Heat the applesauce to boiling and then, alternating between the dry mixture and the applesauce, gradually add them to the sugar mixture. This step is crucial for creating the moist, dense texture that makes this cake so irresistible.

  5. Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into a greased and floured loaf pan (9x5x3). Then, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  6. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This cake tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have time to meld together.

Baking Tips for the Perfect Applesauce Cake

  • Choice of Applesauce: While any applesauce can bring this cake to life, opting for a homemade or unsweetened variety can enhance the natural apple flavor without adding extra sugar.

  • Spice it Up: The recipe calls for cinnamon, but don’t hesitate to experiment with your spice blend. A pinch of allspice, clove, or even cardamom can add depth and warmth to the cake.

  • Moisture is Key: Applesauce cakes are prized for their moistness. To ensure your cake stays beautifully moist, avoid overbaking by checking for doneness a few minutes before the recipe suggests.

The Classic Applesauce Cake

Nestled within the pages of family cookbooks and passed down through generations, the Applesauce Cake holds a special place in the heart of home baking. Its humble beginnings, utilizing pantry staples and the comforting addition of applesauce, make this cake a testament to the ingenuity of home cooks. This recipe not only delivers a moist, flavorful cake but also evokes memories of cozy afternoons in the kitchen and the sweet aroma of spices lingering in the air.

A Cake with History

The Applesauce Cake is a relic of times when frugality was a virtue, and nothing was to go to waste. Applesauce, used as a substitute for butter, gave rise to a cake that was not only economical but deliciously moist. It became a popular choice during the wartime when rations were tight, and its legacy continues today as a beloved comfort food, perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a simple family dessert.

A Cake for All Seasons

While particularly fitting for the fall, when apples are in abundance, this Applesauce Cake recipe is a comforting choice year-round. It’s a versatile cake that can adapt to any season’s flavors - mix in fresh berries during the summer or stir in some pumpkin puree for an autumnal twist. Each variation brings a new dimension to this classic cake, making it a timeless favorite in your baking repertoire.

A Nod to Sustainability

In today’s world, where minimizing waste and making sustainable choices in the kitchen is more important than ever, the Applesauce Cake stands out as a beacon of mindful baking. It reminds us that delicious desserts can be created with simple, wholesome ingredients, reducing waste and bringing joy with every bite.

Serving Suggestions

This Applesauce Cake shines on its own but can be elevated with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a side of vanilla ice cream. It’s a versatile cake that fits beautifully with your morning coffee, as a dessert, or as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family.

Nutrition Facts

  • Servings Per Recipe: 12
  • Calories: 225

% Daily Value

  • Total Fat: 10g (13% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 1.8g (9% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 16mg (5% DV)
  • Sodium: 5706mg (248% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 31.6g (11% DV)
  • Dietary Fiber: 2.4g (9% DV)
  • Total Sugars: 11.9g
  • Protein: 4.6g
  • Vitamin D: 1mcg (5% DV)
  • Calcium: 28mg (2% DV)
  • iron: 1mg (6% DV)
  • Potassium: 148mg (3% DV)

Note: The “% Daily Value” (DV) 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.

Recipe analyzed by verywell.