This straightforward applesauce cake mixes proper within the pan with no bowls wanted: simply 10 minutes prep for a moist, cinnamon-spiced cake! Good for busy bakers, and works with powdered sugar or cream cheese frosting.
Over time I’ve created dozens of cake recipes, and this one persistently will get rave evaluations: my favourite straightforward applesauce cake! The genius lies in mixing all the things straight within the baking pan, which implies you possibly can have a young, spice-scented cake within the oven in quarter-hour.
The flavour secret isn’t simply the applesauce, although that retains it extremely moist and fluffy. It’s the mix of Greek yogurt, olive oil, and comfortable spices in that good one-pan mixing technique!
Why this applesauce cake recipe works so nicely
I completely love this moist, spice-scented one you possibly can whip up proper within the baking dish. I created this applesauce cake recipe impressed by the cookbook Prep: The Important School Cookbook by my writer buddy Katie Sullivan Morford. It’s gone on to turn into a favourite in my household! Right here’s why:
- It’s past straightforward to make. No mixing bowls required! You’ll combine all the things within the cake pan.
- It’s acquired huge cozy taste. This cake options olive oil, Greek yogurt, and applesauce to maintain the cake moist. With such easy elements, you’d count on the flavour to be overly easy too. Nevertheless it’s acquired the right quantity of sweetness, aroma of cinnamon, and tangy fruitiness from the applesauce.
- It really works for any season. Whereas applesauce cake has a little bit of a fall vibeyou can also make it anytime.
Important elements
- Applesauce: I like to make use of unsweetened applesauce right here. Do-it-yourself applesauce isn’t required, however it might be much more scrumptious!
- Brown Sugar: I particularly use mild brown sugar as a result of it provides molasses notes with out overpowering the apple taste, and retains a pleasant mild brown shade.
- Greek Yogurt: Together with applesauce is what offers the cake its moist texture. I’ve discovered that full-fat Greek yogurt works greatest, however low-fat will work in a pinch.
- Olive Oil: Utilizing olive oil as a substitute of butter creates a extra tender crumb and retains the cake moist for days. I exploit a gentle olive oil (search for containers marked “gentle style”, however something works).
- Cinnamon: I’m beneficiant with cinnamon on this recipe as a result of it pairs so nicely with the applesauce. If you happen to love cozy spices, you could possibly add ½ tsp every of floor ginger, allspice and cloves.
My one-pan mixing technique
The fantastic thing about this applesauce cake lies in its simplicity. You may actually combine all the things proper within the buttered baking dish, which eliminates cleanup.
Begin by buttering your pan completely. Mix all dry elements within the pan first, utilizing a fork to interrupt up any brown sugar clumps. The hot button is making that nicely within the middle for the moist elements.
I crack the egg into the nicely, then I add the oil, yogurt, applesauce, and vanilla abruptly. The blending occurs shortly: I exploit a fork and work from the middle outward till simply mixed.
For the tip: Don’t overmix! Cease as quickly because the flour disappears. A couple of lumps are superb and received’t have an effect on the cake.
Topping concepts
Now in fact, when you’d like you possibly can slather this applesauce cake with icing. However to maintain it straightforward and lightweight, we like to make use of a lightweight dusting of powdered sugar as a substitute of icing. Listed below are a number of topping choices:
- Powered sugar (best): High with a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Glaze icing (festive): Make a double recipe of Powdered Sugar Icing and pour it excessive.
- Maple glaze (enjoyable): Do that straightforward Maple Glazewhich provides a great deal of cozy taste!
- Cream cheese icing (decadent): Make our Cream Cheese Frosting and slather it excessive.
Storage and make-ahead suggestions
Retailer applesauce cake lined at room temperature for as much as 3 days, or refrigerated for as much as 5 days. Carry to room temperature earlier than serving. You may freeze for as much as 3 months (thaw at room temperature).
Make-Forward Tip: I typically make this cake within the morning and serve it that night. It tastes even higher after sitting for a number of hours.
Dietary notes
This applesauce cake recipe is vegetarian. For dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt. (And tell us the way it goes!)
Simple Applesauce Cake
This applesauce cake is completely moist, scented with cinnamon and brown sugar. And also you combine your entire dough within the cake pan! No mixing bowls required.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: half-hour
- Complete Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 items 1x
- Class: Dessert
- Technique: Baked
- Delicacies: American
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup mild brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 ½ teaspoons floor cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (or home made applesauce)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease an 8-inch sq. baking pan.
- Put the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the baking pan. Use a fork to completely combine the elements collectively.
- Use your fingers to make a gap within the middle of the dry elements. Into the outlet, crack the egg and add the olive oil, yogurt, applesauce, and vanilla. Use a fork to combine the elements collectively till clean and blended. Easy the highest of the batter with the aspect of a butter knife.
- Bake till the cake is pretty agency once you press evenly at its middle and a toothpick inserted within the center has no moist batter sticking to it, 25 to half-hour.
- Take away from the oven and go away on the counter to chill fully, 1 hour. Go away the cake within the pan. Mud with powdered sugar. Reduce into items and use a small spatula to raise them from the pan. Retailer at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerated for as much as 5 days.
Different applesauce recipes to strive
Received leftovers from making this cake? Strive a few of our 10 Greatest Recipes with Applesauce to make use of up the jar:
