Applesauce Cake With Raisins
A moist, flavorful applesauce cake with raisins and spices, perfect for cozy gatherings or teatime, topped with rich burnt sugar icing for a sweet finish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sift flour, spices, and soda together.
- Cream Crisco; beat in eggs, sugar, nuts, and raisins that have been cooked in a small amount of water and sugar.
- Add flour mixture and applesauce alternately to the creamed mixture.
- Pour batter into a tube pan and bake for 1 hour at 300°F.
- Let the cake cool before icing with Burnt Sugar Icing.
Tips & Substitutions
For a moist cake, ensure the raisins are plump by soaking them in warm water or juice before adding them to the batter. You can substitute half of the Crisco with unsalted butter for a richer flavor. If you don't have pecans, walnuts or almonds work well too. For a spicier kick, consider adding a teaspoon of ginger. This cake also pairs beautifully with Sweet Jammies for a delightful dessert spread.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the applesauce cake warm or at room temperature, optionally topped with Burnt Sugar Icing for a decadent finish. It goes well with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. Consider pairing it with a cup of spiced tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat. For a more festive gathering, include it in a dessert platter alongside Pumpkin-Glazed Pumpkin Cookies.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover applesauce cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you prefer to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week. To reheat, slice the cake and warm it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or until just heated through. This will help retain its moist texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Applesauce Cake With Raisins contains roughly 1258 calories, with 19g protein, 173g carbohydrates, and 57g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (72% of the Daily Value), iron (41% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 690mg per serving (30% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade applesauce instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade applesauce can add a fresher flavor to your cake. Just ensure it's unsweetened or adjust the sugar in the recipe accordingly. The texture should be similar, so your cake will still turn out moist and delicious.
What can I use instead of Crisco?
You can substitute Crisco with an equal amount of unsalted butter or coconut oil. This will provide a different flavor profile, and butter can enhance the cake's richness. Just remember to let the butter soften before creaming it with sugar.
How can I make this cake more festive for holidays?
To give your applesauce cake a holiday twist, consider adding chopped dried cranberries or candied orange peel to the batter. You can also sprinkle some chopped nuts on top of the icing for added texture and flavor, making it a perfect addition to your holiday dessert table.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).