Applesauce Cake
Applesauce Cake is a healthy and easy dessert full of delicious apple flavor and warm spices. It is perfect for a healthy dessert or guilt free treat any time of the year! Topped with a cream cheese frosting, this apple cake really hits the spot.
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This moist Applesauce Cake gets its delicious, autumn flavor from traditional fall spices like ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and of course, a cup of applesauce. If you want to keep the sugar content of this cake down, make sure you use unsweetened applesauce.
The natural sweetness of apples and a little help from honey will result in the best cake without too much sugar! Using gluten-free flour and no processed white sugar, this Applesauce Cake will fit any gluten-free and low-calorie diet.
For the best finishing touches for your homemade Applesauce Cake, try our homemade cream cheese frosting. It’s a great addition to your cake if it needs extra sweetness but keeps it healthier than most other alternatives.
It’s convenient to make the frosting while the cake bakes if you plan on serving it that day, just make sure the cake cools before putting on the vanilla frosting. You can also garnish it with apple slices, they look great!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
Moist and tender: Applesauce keeps the cake soft, rich, and naturally sweet without drying out.
Naturally sweetened: Made with honey instead of refined sugar for a wholesome twist.
Warmly spiced: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg create the perfect cozy flavor for fall or anytime baking.
Gluten-free and grain-free: Almond and coconut flours give the cake a light texture and nutty taste.
Creamy frosting: The tangy cream cheese frosting balances the sweetness and adds a luscious finish.
Perfect for gatherings: Simple to make yet impressive enough for brunches, holidays, or family desserts.
Ingredients to Make Applesauce Cake:
- applesauce. Unsweetened applesauce works best, adds natural moisture and subtle sweetness without overpowering the spices.
- honey. Provides gentle sweetness and keeps the cake soft; you can substitute maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
- milk. Adds lightness to the batter; use dairy or non-dairy milk depending on preference.
- butter. Melted butter adds richness, coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative.
- eggs. Provide structure and help the cake rise; make sure they’re at room temperature before mixing.
- almond flour. Gives the cake a moist, nutty texture. Be sure to use finely ground almond flour, not almond meal.
- coconut flour. Helps absorb moisture and balance the texture; a little goes a long way.
- spices. Create that classic cozy flavor, feel free to add a pinch of cloves for extra warmth.
- cream cheese frosting. The creamy topping that completes the cake, use full-fat cream cheese for the smoothest, richest texture.
How to Make Applesauce Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease or line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients, applesauce, honey, milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients, almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Recommended Equipment
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Use room temperature ingredients: Cold eggs or milk can cause the butter to solidify and affect texture, bring them to room temp before mixing.
- Don’t over mix: Stir just until the batter is smooth; over mixing can make almond flour batters dense.
- Check for doneness early: Almond flour browns quickly, start checking at 30 minutes to prevent over baking.
- Cool completely before frosting: The cream cheese frosting will melt if spread on a warm cake.
- Frosting consistency: For a thicker frosting, refrigerate it for 10–15 minutes before spreading.
- Add-ins: Stir in chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins for extra flavor and texture.
- Spice variation: For a bolder flavor, increase the cinnamon to 1½ teaspoons or add a pinch of cloves.
- Serving tip: Sprinkle the top with cinnamon or chopped nuts for a pretty finish.
Serving Suggestions:
- Homemade Unsweetened Almond Milk
- Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
- Cinnamon Apples
- Homemade Hot Chocolate
- Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For the best texture, let slices sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cake slices in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then frost before serving.
Make ahead: You can bake the cake a day in advance, cover tightly, and frost it the next day once cooled. The flavor deepens beautifully overnight.
FAQs:
Yes, just adjust the baking time. A loaf pan may take 45–50 minutes, while an 8-inch round pan will be similar to the original bake time.
Yes, the cake is delicious on its own! Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle lightly with honey if you prefer something simpler.
Yes, but reduce the honey slightly (by about 2 tablespoons) to keep the cake from being overly sweet.
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Applesauce Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup applesauce
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- cream cheese frosting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease or line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, honey, milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients: Cold eggs or milk can cause the butter to solidify and affect texture, bring them to room temp before mixing.
- Don’t over mix: Stir just until the batter is smooth; over mixing can make almond flour batters dense.
- Check for doneness early: Almond flour browns quickly, start checking at 30 minutes to prevent over baking.
- Cool completely before frosting: The cream cheese frosting will melt if spread on a warm cake.
- Frosting consistency: For a thicker frosting, refrigerate it for 10–15 minutes before spreading.
- Add-ins: Stir in chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins for extra flavor and texture.
- Spice variation: For a bolder flavor, increase the cinnamon to 1½ teaspoons or add a pinch of cloves.
- Serving tip: Sprinkle the top with cinnamon or chopped nuts for a pretty finish.
Nutrition Facts:
These nutrition facts are estimated and can vary based on ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods. Always consult product labels or a nutrition professional for precise information.Calories: ~310
Total Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 95mg
Sodium: 180mg
Total Carbohydrates: 24g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 17g
Protein: 8g
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