Amish applesauce cake: a warm hug

Remember those cozy afternoons filled with the warm scent of baking? That’s exactly the feeling we’re chasing with this simple Amish applesauce cake. If you’re craving a slice of nostalgia, something moist, lightly spiced, and wonderfully old-fashioned, you’ve found it. My own journey from feeling totally out of place in the kitchen to finding pure joy in making things like this cake started with small, achievable steps. It’s all about approachable recipes with amazing flavor, like this comforting cake, that we can easily make and share. It truly embodies our philosophy here at Pure Cooking Joy—creating delicious meals with everyday ingredients that bring people together. You can even follow along with our kitchen adventures on Facebook!

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Why You’ll Love This Amish Applesauce Cake

This cake is just pure comfort, and honestly, you’ll love it because:

• It’s a super easy scratch cake – perfect for busy days!
• You get that incredibly moist texture from the applesauce and buttermilk.
• Just the right amount of comforting spices make it a truly old fashioned cake.
• It’s the ultimate easy pantry dessert, using ingredients you probably already have.
• Seriously, it’s like a warm hug in cake form, especially as a moist fall cake.

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Gather Your Ingredients for Amish Applesauce Cake

Alright, let’s get our ingredients together for this delightful Amish applesauce cake! You’ll be surprised how many of these are probably already hanging out in your pantry. My favorite part about this recipe is using those dependable staples that just *work*. Here’s what you’ll need to create this wonderfully moist and spiced treat:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – makes sure it’s nice and soft!
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar – for that perfect sweetness.
• 2 large eggs – gotta have those for structure.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – a little splash of magic!
• 2 cups all-purpose flour – our main structure, so measure it right!
• 1 teaspoon baking soda – helps it get nice and fluffy.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon – hello, cozy spices!
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg – just a hint of warmth.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves – adds a little punch.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt – balances all that sweetness.
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce – this is the star for moisture!
• 1/2 cup buttermilk – makes it extra tender.
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or raisins (optional) – if you love a little texture!

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How to Bake the Perfect Amish Applesauce Cake

Now for the fun part – putting it all together! Baking this traditional spiced applesauce cake is really straightforward, almost like a comforting ritual. Just follow along, and you’ll have a gorgeous, moist cake that smells absolutely heavenly. It reminds me a lot of when I first started learning to bake bread, and those simple, consistent steps made all the difference. You can check out my bread baking journey if you’re curious! Trust me, you’ve got this!

Preparing Your Pans for the Amish Applesauce Cake

First things first, we need to get our pans ready. I like to use a good quality baking spray or butter and flour for my bundt pans or loaf pans. This little step is so important because it ensures your beautiful cake slides right out without any sticking or, gasp, breaking. Nobody wants half their cake stuck to the pan!

Mixing the Batter for Your Spiced Applesauce Cake

Okay, into the big bowl goes that softened butter and sugar. We’re going to cream them together until they’re nice and fluffy – think pale yellow and airy. Then, beat in those eggs one by one, followed by that splash of vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and all those lovely spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves. Now, we’ll add the dry stuff to the wet, alternating with the applesauce and buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Just mix until everything is *just* combined; we don’t want to overmix this spiced applesauce cake batter, or it can get tough.

Baking and Cooling Your Old Fashioned Cake

Pour all that delicious batter into your prepared pan. For a bundt pan, bake it at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-55 minutes. If you’re using a loaf pan, it’ll need a bit longer, maybe 55-65 minutes. The best way to tell if it’s done? Stick a wooden skewer or toothpick into the thickest part. If it comes out clean, your old fashioned cake is ready! Let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before flipping it onto a wire rack. We want it to cool enough to hold its shape but still be warm and inviting.

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Tips for Success with Your Amish Applesauce Cake

To make sure your Amish applesauce cake turns out absolutely perfect every single time, there are just a couple of little things I’ve learned along the way. It’s all about getting that wonderfully moist crumb and that comforting, spiced flavor we love in an old fashioned cake. My applesauce journey actually started when I was trying to make a simple dessert during a really hectic work week – I needed something I knew would turn out right, and this cake was a lifesaver! It’s such a fantastic easy pantry dessert when you just want something sweet and satisfying.

Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start mixing. This really helps everything emulsify nicely, giving you that even, tender texture we’re after. And for the applesauce, unsweetened is really the way to go here; it lets the spices really shine without making the cake too sweet. This recipe is a true testament to those simple ingredients making something magical happen, something I write a lot about on my About page!

Variations for Your Bundt Applesauce Cake

This Amish applesauce cake is wonderful just as it is, but it’s also a fantastic base if you feel like switching things up a bit! You know, I love adapting recipes, just like I do with my zucchini bread. For your bundt applesauce cake, try adding in a little extra spice, maybe a pinch of ground ginger or allspice along with the cinnamon and nutmeg. If you love a good raisins and walnuts cake, definitely don’t skip folding those in – they add the most delightful texture! Or, for a real treat, whip up a simple glaze with powdered sugar and a splash of milk and drizzle it over once the cake is completely cool.

Serving and Storing Your Amish Applesauce Cake

This Amish applesauce cake truly shines when served with a warm mug of coffee or a soothing cup of tea. It’s the perfect companion for those moments when you just need a little pick-me-up. Because it’s so wonderfully moist, it keeps really well! Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap once it’s completely cooled, or pop it into an airtight container. It’ll stay delicious for about 3-4 days at room temperature, making it an ideal make-ahead comfort food dessert. You can find more ideas for comforting treats on our Comfort Food page!

Frequently Asked Questions about Amish Applesauce Cake

Got questions about making this delightful Amish applesauce cake? I get it! Sometimes a little tweak can make all the difference. Let’s dive into some common ones to make sure your baking adventure is a success:

Can I use a different type of pan?

Absolutely! While the recipe is written for a bundt or loaf pan, it’ll also work great in a 9×13 inch baking pan. You might need to slightly adjust the baking time – start checking around 30-35 minutes. Just remember that test for doneness: a wooden skewer should come out clean from the center!

Can I make this vegan?

You sure can adapt it for a vegan version! You’ll want to swap out the butter for a vegan butter substitute or coconut oil. For the eggs, a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) works really well. And, of course, swap the buttermilk for a plant-based milk like almond or soy milk. It’s really flexible!

What kind of applesauce is best?

For this spiced applesauce cake, unsweetened applesauce is definitely the way to go. It gives you the perfect amount of moisture without adding extra sugar, which lets the warm spices really shine through. Plus, if you prefer, you can even make your own homemade applesauce – it’s easier than you think and tastes amazing!

Can I add anything else to the batter?

Oh, you bet! This cake is a fantastic canvas. Feel free to stir in a handful of dried cranberries or even some shredded coconut. A little orange zest in the batter adds a lovely brightness, too. The possibilities are endless, and it’s all about making it your own. If you have any questions about ingredient swaps or want to share your own ideas, feel free to reach out via our contact page!

Nutritional Estimate for this Comfort Food Dessert

Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info you see here for this delicious Amish applesauce cake is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use. But generally, you’re looking at around 350 calories per slice, with about 15g of fat, 4g of protein, 50g of carbs, and 35g of sugar. It’s a pretty balanced little treat! For the full rundown, you can always check out our disclaimer page.

Share Your Amish Applesauce Cake Creations

I just love hearing from you all! Did you whip up this wonderful Amish applesauce cake? How did it turn out for you? Maybe you tried a fun variation or have a secret tip to share? Drop a comment below or rate the recipe – your feedback makes my day and helps others find their joy in the kitchen too! You can see what everyone else is cooking up on our blog!

Amish Applesauce Cake

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A simple, moist, and lightly spiced applesauce cake, reminiscent of traditional baking. This old-fashioned cake is perfect for a cozy day and easy to make with pantry staples.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 55 min
• Total Time: 75 min
• Yield: 10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or raisins (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch bundt pan or a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the applesauce and buttermilk.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the applesauce mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
7. If using, fold in the chopped walnuts or raisins.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
9. Bake for 45-55 minutes for a bundt cake, or 55-65 minutes for a loaf cake, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• For an extra moist cake, ensure your applesauce is unsweetened.
• You can dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a little milk.
• This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea, making it a perfect comfort food dessert.
• Consider this recipe as a great base for meal planning, offering a delightful treat without complex steps.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 60mg