Patty'S Applesauce Cake
A moist and flavorful applesauce cake with warm spices, perfect for fall gatherings or tea time, featuring raisins and nuts for added texture and sweetness.
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour minus 2 heaping tablespoons ⓘ
- 2 heaping tablespoons cocoa ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon allspice ⓘ
- raisins ⓘ
- nuts ⓘ
- 1 cup shortening ⓘ
- 2 cups white sugar ⓘ
- 3 large eggs ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can hot applesauce ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking soda ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon water ⓘ
Instructions
- Sift together flour, cocoa, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Coat raisins and nuts with a little flour if desired.
- Cream shortening and gradually add sugar, beating well.
- Add eggs and beat thoroughly.
- Stir in applesauce.
- Combine the flour mixture with the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Dissolve baking soda in water and add to the batter.
- Mix until smooth and pour into a large greased and floured tube pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider substituting half the shortening with applesauce. If you want to reduce sugar, use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, adjusting the liquid ingredients accordingly. Ensure you sift the dry ingredients well for a lighter cake, and feel free to add spices based on your preference. You can also incorporate chopped nuts or chocolate chips for added texture.
Serving Suggestions
This applesauce cake is delightful on its own, but you can enhance the experience by serving it with a scoop of Cream Cheese Ice Cream for a creamy contrast. Pair it with a cup of tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat, or enjoy it as a dessert alongside a fresh fruit salad for a refreshing touch.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, wrap the applesauce cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerated for up to a week. To reheat, slice and warm in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds, or until just heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Patty'S Applesauce Cake contains roughly 1341 calories, with 10g protein, 97g carbohydrates, and 104g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (45% of the Daily Value), iron (31% of the Daily Value), and protein (21% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 497mg per serving (22% 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 whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour. However, it may result in a denser cake. To maintain a light texture, consider blending whole wheat and all-purpose flour, or adjusting the liquid ingredients slightly.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make this cake gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Ensure that all other ingredients, including baking soda and spices, are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
Can I freeze the applesauce cake?
Absolutely! To freeze the cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving, and enjoy it at room temperature or warmed.
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).