Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Effortless Applesauce Cake Recipe

A smooth, silky, cinnamon-kissed applesauce cake that stays tender for days. One bowl, pantry basics, and a cozy slice that tastes like fall without the fuss.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A single loaf of applesauce cake sliced on a wooden cutting board with a light vanilla glaze dripping over the top
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Some desserts are a whole production. This is not that cake.

This applesauce cake is my favorite kind of baking: low-drama, big payoff. It comes together in one bowl with ingredients you probably already have, then bakes up into a loaf that is smooth, silky, and ridiculously tender. Applesauce does the heavy lifting here, keeping the crumb moist without a lot of extra fat, and giving the whole thing that cozy, apple-spice vibe that makes the kitchen smell like you are doing great at life.

It is sweet, but not cloying. Soft, but not gummy. And if you want to get a little fancy, a quick vanilla glaze turns it into an anytime treat that feels just special enough.

A close-up of a slice of applesauce cake showing a tender, moist crumb on a small plate

Why It Works

  • Applesauce = built-in moisture. It keeps the crumb silky and tender, even the next day.
  • Oil instead of butter. Oil makes a cake that stays soft longer and mixes easily in one bowl.
  • Brown sugar and warm spices. You get caramel notes and cozy flavor without needing any complicated technique.
  • Gentle mixing. Stir just until combined and you avoid a tough, bready loaf.

Pairs Well With

  • A mug of hot chai latte on a table next to cinnamon sticks

    Hot Chai Latte

  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting slightly in a small bowl

    Vanilla Ice Cream

  • A bowl of Greek yogurt topped with honey and toasted walnuts

    Honey Walnut Yogurt

  • A cup of black coffee beside a small plate with a cake slice

    Strong Coffee

Storage Tips

This cake is a “gets better as it sits” situation, which is basically my love language.

Room temperature

  • Cool completely, then wrap the loaf (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.
  • Keep at room temp for 3 to 4 days.

Refrigerator

  • Not required, but you can refrigerate for up to 1 week if your kitchen runs warm.
  • Bring to room temperature before serving for the softest texture, or microwave a slice for 10 to 15 seconds.

Freezer

  • Freeze slices for easy grab-and-go treats.
  • Wrap slices individually, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months.
  • Thaw at room temp or warm gently in the microwave.

Common Questions

Can I use sweetened applesauce?

Yes. The cake will be a touch sweeter. If you prefer a more balanced loaf, reduce the granulated sugar by 2 tablespoons.

Does applesauce replace the oil completely?

In some recipes it can, but for this one I keep a little oil for that silky, tender crumb and better keeping quality. You can swap half the oil for extra applesauce if you want a slightly lighter texture.

What pan should I use if I do not have a loaf pan?

A 9-inch square pan works well. Start checking around 32 to 40 minutes. You can also use a 9-inch round cake pan with similar timing.

Why did my loaf sink in the middle?

Common culprits are underbaking, overmixing, or opening the oven door too early. Bake until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before moving it.

Can I add nuts or raisins?

Absolutely. Fold in up to 3/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts or pecans, and/or 1/2 cup raisins. If you add a lot of mix-ins, the bake time may increase by a few minutes.

I started making applesauce cake for the nights when I wanted something sweet but did not want to clean up a whole situation. One bowl, a whisk, and the pantry spices that always show up when you need comfort.

The first time I pulled it out, I told myself it was “just a snack cake.” Then I ate two slices standing at the counter, decided it deserved a glaze, and suddenly it was a full-on dessert. Now it is my go-to when I need something reliable, cozy, and forgiving, like a friend who does not care if you forgot to soften the butter because there is no butter to soften.