Name: Applesauce Cake
Yield: 12

This Applesauce Cake Recipe is moist, warmly spiced, and topped with creamy frosting for an straightforward one bowl dessert.

author’s note

One Bowl, Big Flavor, Zero Fuss!

I’ve always loved baking with applesauce. It keeps baked goods so moist, adds natural sweetness, and brings that cozy flavor I grew up with.

My mom used it all the time, and now it’s one of a reliable baking staples. This Applesauce Cake is the best example of why. It’s tender, full of warm spice, and so simple to make in just one bowl.

The cream cheese frosting makes it extra special, but it’s just as satisfying plain or with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Applesauce, a key ingredient for the applesauce cake recipe, in a container.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Swaps or Tips
Unsweetened Applesauce	Use from-scratch or store-bought, but avoid sweetened so you control the sugar.
Coconut Oil	Melt and cool before adding. Swap with canola or vegetable oil if preferred.
Brown Sugar	You can use coconut sugar for a less refined option.
Oat Flour	Make your own by blending oats or buy it pre-ground. Make sure the oats are certified gluten-free for a guaranteed gluten free applesauce cake.
Spices	Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice give the cake its flavor. Adjust amounts or add cloves/ginger for extra spice.
Pecans	skippable but adds crunch. Swap for walnuts or leave out entirely.

Quick Tip

To make this cake gluten-free: Check ingredient labels for any gluten processing. Even small amounts of gluten can be harmful to those with celiac disease.

Creating oat flour from oats, by blending.

How To Make This Applesauce Cake Recipe

Wet ingredients: Whisk together applesauce, oil, egg, vanilla, and sugar until smooth.
Dry ingredients: Mix in baking soda, powder, salt, spices, pecans, and oat flour.
Bake: Spread batter into a lined baking pan and bake until a toothpick comes clean.
Cool completely: Allow the cake to cool before frosting so the frosting stays smooth.
Frost: Spread on the frosting and finish with chopped pecans if you’d like and enjoy!

Featured Comment

“I make this recipe all the time, exactly as printed and it always comes out reliable. This is my go-to snack cake and everyone enjoys it! Thank you for sharing this recipe.”
– Laura