Easy Applesauce Cake is a fluffy and moist cake that comes together in one bowl. Made with applesauce and warm spices, it's truly fall in every bite. The cake gets sprinkled with a buttery cinnamon sugar streusel that melts and crisps in the oven so perfectly!
If you know me, you know I love baking with applesauce. Not only is it delicious, but it's the secret ingredient that keeps the cake moist and soft for days!
This flavorful cake is a great bake if you're trying to use up leftover applesauce, or if you want a simple fall dessert bake.
The cake comes together in one bowl, making clean-up minimal and quick. As the tender cake bakes, the kitchen fills with sweet scents of apple and cinnamon. This cake is so comforting and delicious!
Step by step instructions
Here is how to make and bake this easy applesauce cake. You will need a 9×9 baking pan lined with parchment paper, 3 bowls, a spatula, and a whisk.
Step 1 – Make streusel. In a bowl, add butter, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. With your hands or a fork, mix together until a streusel forms. Set in the fridge to chill while the cake batter is made.
Step 2 - Mix dry ingredients. In a medium sized bowl, add in flour, cinnamon, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
Step 3 – Mix the sugar and eggs. In a large bowl, add brown sugar and eggs. Whisk for 2 minutes until well combined.
Step 4 - Add wet ingredients. Add in the applesauce, oil, and vanilla. Continue whisking until smooth.
Step 5 - Add dry ingredients. Add the dry and wet ingredients together. With a spatula, gently fold just until a soft cake batter forms and no flour streaks remain. Do not over-mix.
Step 6 - Transfer and sprinkle. Transfer into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the streusel on top.
Bake the cake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean with no wet batter.
FAQ
How do I store this cake?
This cake is best served fresh within the first two days. You may store it in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days, and in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Do I have to make the streusel?
No, but I highly recommend it. The streusel adds a lot of flavour and depth to the cake!
Do I use unsweetened or sweetened applesauce?
Both work great. I always use unsweetened while baking.
Can I make applesauce cake without eggs?
Yes. Applesauce is a great egg substitute. For every 1 egg, use 1/4 cup of applesauce. So in this recipe, you will use an extra 1/2 cup of applesauce.
Please note that the texture of the cake will differ without eggs.
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Easy Applesauce Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- pinch of cloves
- pinch of ginger
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tbsp vanilla
For the streusel
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉/176℃. Line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
For the streusel
- In a bowl, add the butter, flour, brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon. Using your hands or a fork, mix together until a crumbly streusel forms. Set in the fridge to chill.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 6 tbsp unsalted butter
For the cake
- In a bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cornstarch, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 3/4 tsp baking powder, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, pinch of cloves, pinch of ginger
- In a large bowl, add the brown sugar, white sugar, and eggs. Whisk for 1-2 minutes until well combined.1/2 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 large eggs
- Add in the applesauce, oil, and vanilla. Continue whisking until smooth.1/2 cup oil, 1 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 tbsp vanilla
- Add the dry ingredients. With a spatula, gently fold just until they are combined and no dry streaks are showing.
- Transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle streusel on top.
- Bake the cake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean with no cake batter. Allow the cake to cool, slice, and enjoy!
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