Sweet

Applesauce Cake

Consider these the hip cousin of the petit four.
Or just consider it tasty, and slice it into big pieces instead.

Laura over atΒ Rather Be Baking knows what’s up. I believed her when she said to trust her on this cake. She’s totally right; it’s the best.

This is just the perfect weeknight cake. It comes together quickly, in one bowl and bakes up in only 30 minutes. Chances are you’ll want to keep eating slivers of this cake as you walk by. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Applesauce Cake
Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker via Rather Be Baking

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 t baking soda
  • 3/4 t baking powder
  • 1 t salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 t cinnamon
  • 1/4 t nutmeg
  • 1/8 t cloves
  • 1/8 t ginger
  • cinnamon frosting (optional), recipe follows

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350Β°F. Line a 9×13 inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Beat all of the ingredients together for 3 minutes.
  3. Pour in prepared dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
  4. Cool completely before slicing into bite size pieces.
  5. Top with a smidgen of cinnamon frosting, if you’re feelin’ it.

Cinnamon Frosting

  • 3 T butter, softened
  • generous sprinkling of cinnamon
  • 1 heaping cup powdered sugar
  • 1 T milk

Directions:

  1. Beat all of the ingredients together and pipe a teeny flour on each cake bite.

And here’s Elliot, looking like such a gentleman.

I bet you wouldn’t even believe that he stole some cake off the table like a jerk.
So there you go! Both Jake AND Elliot love this cake.

15 thoughts on “Applesauce Cake”

  1. So glad you enjoyed it! Love the idea of cinnamon frosting.

    I cut mine into little squares like that and froze a bunch, and they’re perfect after a few seconds in the microwave. You know, if yours last that long. πŸ™‚

  2. Thanks Laura!

    This cake is so good, I really doubt they will last that long since when Jake really likes something it disappears before freezing is possible. πŸ™‚

  3. so I made this last night! WHOA MAMA!! So good! I used sweetened apple sauce and cut the sugar out completely *well aside from the frosting* and it is spectacular!! It was still warm inside when I had the first bite. All I could do was say ooohhh my gosh and keep eating!! I plan on posting my pics and adapted recipe on my blog shortly(passing along the credit of course). I’m sure my BF will devour it in seconds. Oh by the way…my dogs loved it too!! πŸ™‚

  4. Darn it, Megan! I think I have to make this tonight. When I read your recipes, I’m always like, “But what occasion would I bake this for?” Kind of like when I love a really fancy dress, but I’m like, “Where would I wear this to?” Well, I just don’t care anymore. I’m making this, and I’ll eat the whole damn thing by myself in my pajamas if I have to.

  5. Yes! I love that cakes like this make you feel that way. Sometimes you don’t have to have a reason to make a dessert, like how I never need a reason to wear ridiculous purple tights. πŸ™‚

    And you most Shirley will want to eat all of this. And the comfiest way to eat is in pajamas.

    P.S. Don’t worry. I won’t call you Shirley ever again.

  6. Well, I just don’t get it. Shirley surely is a dummy over here! My cake looks about as flat as a flapjack and as lame as an Eggo on the floor. It sure does taste yummy, which I guess is all that matters, but I still wish mine could be fluffy to the heaven’s like yours. I just don’t know where I went wrong. Oh, I wish I weren’t so slow!

  7. Ah! I’m sorry to hear about that cake that just was so flatty patty! The only thing I can guess is that maybe your baking powder or baking soda is expired? Sorry man!

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