Name: Amish Applesauce Cake: Foolproof Recipe for Fall Comfort
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American (Amish)
Ingredients: The star of the show. It keeps the cake moist, replaces some of the fat, and adds a mild apple flavor. Always go for unsweetened applesauce store-bought is fine, but homemade adds an authentic touch.; All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake. Stick with regular flour unless making a gluten-free version.; Sugar: You can use white sugar for a cleaner sweetness or brown sugar for a deeper, molasses-like flavor.; Eggs: Help bind the cake together and give it structure.; Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake tender and soft. You could swap it for melted butter or avocado oil, but oil provides that classic Amish-style moist crumb.; Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves work in harmony to give that warm, comforting flavor. These aren't optional they’re what make this cake unforgettable.; Baking soda & baking powder: Ensure the cake rises properly and doesn’t come out flat.

Description

Amish Applesauce Cake is a moist, warmly spiced dessert made with simple pantry staples. It’s a fuss-free, one-bowl recipe known for its tender texture and nostalgic flavor, thanks to applesauce and comforting spices like cinnamon and cloves. Perfect for everyday baking or holiday gatherings, it can be served plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with a light glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

Core Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar (white or brown)
½ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Optional Add-Ins

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
½ cup grated apple or carrot

Instructions

Prep Your Ingredients and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or bundt pan. In one bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid a tough cake. Fold in any optional add-ins like nuts or raisins at this stage.
Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Finish and Serve
Serve plain, dust with powdered sugar, or drizzle with a simple glaze for an extra touch. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

For extra depth, toast the nuts before folding them into the batter.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
This cake freezes well wrap slices individually and store for up to 3 months.
Great as muffins (bake 20–25 mins) or in loaf pans (bake 45–60 mins).
For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and ensure sugar is vegan-certified.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American (Amish)

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 260
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: amish applesauce cake, rustic cake, easy applesauce cake, old fashioned cake, moist spice cake, one bowl cake, amish dessert, simple apple cake, traditional cake recipe, no frosting cake