Tasty Spiced Applesauce Cake

This classic Amish Applesauce Cake brings together cozy spices and a juicy texture that folks have enjoyed for many years. The simple mix of applesauce and fragrant spices makes a soothing treat that nicely balances sweetness and homey flavor, working great for both casual family meals and fancy get-togethers.

I came across this treat during a fall trip to Lancaster County, watching an Amish grandma throw it together without even using measuring cups. Her casual baking style and the amazing smell that filled the room made me want to bring this tradition home to my own family.

What You'll Need

• Unsalted butter: Makes the cake soft and adds rich taste
• Granulated sugar: Brings sweetness while brown sugar adds moisture and deeper flavor
• Large eggs: Hold everything together and give the cake its shape
• Vanilla extract: Boosts the other flavors without taking over
• Unsweetened applesauce: Keeps everything moist with a hint of apple
• All purpose flour: Creates the base of your cake
• Baking soda and baking powder: Team up to make the cake fluffy
• Salt: Cuts the sweetness and makes spices pop
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves: Give that signature Amish warm flavor
• Optional raisins: Add some chewiness and natural sweet bits
• Optional chopped nuts: Bring a nice crunch and nutty flavor
• Powdered sugar, milk and vanilla: For a simple topping if you want it

Easy Directions

Ready Your Oven:

Set your oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle. Grease your baking pan completely, even in the corners. Add a light coat of flour and tap out what doesn't stick. This helps your cake come out clean after baking.

Mix Butter and Sugars:

Put your soft butter in a big bowl with both sugars. Beat them for 3-4 minutes until they look lighter and fluffy. This step puts air in your batter so your cake won't be too dense.

Add Liquid Stuff:

Drop in eggs one at a time, beating about 30 seconds after each one until they're mixed in. Wipe down the sides of the bowl. Add vanilla and applesauce, mixing slowly until combined. Don't worry if it looks a bit lumpy - that's normal.

Mix Dry Stuff:

In another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all the spices. Mix them well so your cake will have even flavor in every bite.

Finish The Batter:

Add your dry mix to the wet mix in three batches, mixing on low just until you don't see flour anymore. Don't mix too much or your cake might get tough. If you're using raisins or nuts, fold them in gently with about 10-12 strokes.

Into The Oven:

Put your batter in the pan and spread it out to the edges. It should be pretty thick. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning the pan halfway. It's done when a toothpick poked in the middle comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Let It Rest:

Let the cake sit in the pan for exactly 10 minutes. This helps it set up while still being warm enough to come out easily. Run a knife around the edges, then flip onto a cooling rack and turn right-side up to cool all the way.

Make The Topping:

After the cake is totally cool, mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla until smooth. Make it thicker with more sugar or thinner with more milk. Drizzle it over the cake using a spoon or plastic bag with the corner snipped off.

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What I love most about this cake is how flexible the applesauce part is. Store-bought works fine, but sometimes I use chunky homemade applesauce from apples we picked ourselves. Those little apple pieces create yummy moist spots and extra apple taste throughout the cake.

Keeping It Fresh

This Amish Applesauce Cake stays really moist thanks to the applesauce and brown sugar. To keep it fresh, store it in a sealed container at room temp for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, wrap single slices in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing for up to 3 months. Let frozen slices thaw on the counter for about 2 hours before eating.

Changing With The Seasons

In fall, try throwing in 1 cup of chopped apples and a spoonful of apple pie spice for an apple overload. During winter holidays, mix in some dried cranberries and orange zest for a festive twist. In summer, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh berries on the side to turn this simple cake into something fancy.

The Story Behind It

Amish folks have always valued keeping things simple, using what they have, and not wasting anything. This cake came from those ideas, using applesauce for flavor and as a way to save fall apples for winter eating. Old-school Amish kitchens used what was in season and cooked without electricity, which is why this cake uses baking powder and soda instead of fancy mixer tricks. The real old versions would've used lard instead of butter and skipped the topping to keep things plain and simple.

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This cake turns any regular day into something a bit more special, but it's easy enough to whip up anytime you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I substitute the applesauce in this Amish cake?

Applesauce gives this cake its signature taste and juiciness, but you can try mashed bananas or pumpkin puree in the same amount. Just know your cake will taste different than the original version.

→ How do I store Amish applesauce cake?

Keep your cake in a sealed container at room temp for up to 3 days or pop it in the fridge for a week max. Want to freeze it? Leave off the glaze, wrap it tight in plastic and foil, and it'll last about 3 months in the freezer.

→ Can I make this cake without eggs?

Sure thing, just add another 1/4 cup of applesauce for each egg you're skipping. Or try a flax egg by mixing 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water for each egg needed.

→ What makes this an 'Amish' style cake?

Amish cooking is all about basic, fresh ingredients and old-school methods. This cake fits right in with its applesauce base (which Amish folks often make themselves), comforting spices, and traditional mix-ins like dried fruits and nuts.

→ Can I make this cake in a different pan size?

Absolutely! Try two 8-inch rounds and bake about 25-30 minutes, or go for a bundt pan for 45-50 minutes. Want cupcakes? Fill muffin tins and bake around 18-22 minutes. Always stick a toothpick in to check if it's done.

→ What can I serve with Amish applesauce cake?

This cake tastes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or some drizzled caramel sauce. It's also perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Want to go all out? Warm it up and top with cinnamon ice cream.