Frosted Applesauce Cake
A moist, flavorful applesauce cake infused with warm spices and topped with a sweet frosting, perfect for cozy gatherings and dessert lovers seeking comforting treats.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce ⓘ
- 1/2 cup butter ⓘ
- 1 cup packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 2 cups flour ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking soda ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped nuts ⓘ
- 2 cups 10x sugar ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons hot milk ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons melted butter ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine applesauce, butter, brown sugar, and raisins in a saucepan.
- Heat until the butter and sugar dissolve; let stand until cool.
- Sift together cinnamon, cloves, salt, flour, and soda.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the cooled applesauce mixture.
- Add chopped nuts to the batter.
- Pour the batter into a greased 9 x 9-inch pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the frosting by mixing 10x sugar with hot milk and melted butter until smooth.
- Frost the cooled cake with the icing before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a moist cake, ensure your applesauce is not too watery; consider using homemade for a richer flavor. If you don't have raisins, try swapping them for dried cranberries or chopped dates. For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped nuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin. This cake can be made ahead and freezes well, making it perfect for gatherings.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the frosted applesauce cake at room temperature for the best flavor. It pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a festive touch, consider serving it alongside a warm cup of spiced cider or coffee. This delightful dessert also makes a great addition to potlucks, alongside other American recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover frosted applesauce cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer, you can refrigerate it to extend freshness slightly longer, up to a week. To reheat, simply microwave a slice for 10-15 seconds or pop it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Frosted Applesauce Cake contains roughly 712 calories, with 8g protein, 112g carbohydrates, and 27g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 832mg per serving (36% 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 unsweetened applesauce in this recipe?
Yes, using unsweetened applesauce is a great option if you want to control the sweetness. You may want to add a bit more brown sugar or a sweetener of your choice to balance the flavors, especially since the original recipe relies on the natural sweetness of sweetened applesauce.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version of the frosted applesauce cake, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Ensure that all other ingredients, like baking soda and spices, are gluten-free as well. The texture may vary slightly, but it should still be delicious!
What can I use if I don't have 10x sugar for the frosting?
If you don't have 10x sugar (powdered sugar), you can make your own by blending granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until fine. Alternatively, you could use a simple glaze made from granulated sugar and milk or cream, but the texture will be different from traditional frosting.
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).