Amish Applesauce Cake
Amish applesauce cake is a wonderfully moist, warmly spiced cake that highlights the natural sweetness and texture of applesauce. Each bite combines tender cake crumb with cozy spices and the pleasant crunch of nuts. This simple, old-fashioned recipe is perfect with a morning cup of coffee or as a comforting dessert.
This applesauce spice cake is easy to make from scratch and becomes even better the day after baking as the flavors meld. It’s a classic family-style recipe that’s satisfying and reliably delicious.
Ingredients
- Butter — adds richness and helps produce a tender crumb.
- White sugar — sweetens and aids browning.
- Brown sugar — contributes moisture and a mild caramel note.
- Eggs — provide structure and richness.
- Applesauce — keeps the cake moist and supplies natural sweetness and flavor.
- Milk — adds moisture and a tender texture.
- All-purpose flour — the main dry ingredient that gives structure.
- Baking soda and baking powder — leavening agents for lift and lightness.
- Salt — enhances the overall flavor.
- Ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground allspice — warm baking spices that complement the applesauce.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans — for texture and nuttiness.
- Raisins (optional) — add sweetness and chewiness if desired.
Applesauce Walnut Cake
Applesauce is a useful ingredient in baking because it provides moisture and natural sweetness; it can also be used to reduce fat by substituting for some butter or oil in many recipes. In this Amish-style cake, applesauce keeps the crumb soft and tender while lending a subtle apple flavor.
Nuts—either walnuts or pecans—bring a pleasant crunch and additional flavor; they can be left out for a nut-free version. Some bakers like to add raisins or even frozen cherries for extra bursts of sweetness and texture.
This cake can be baked in a 9 x 13-inch pan for a sheet-style cake or in a well-greased bundt pan for an attractive loaf that’s easy to slice and serve.
Does Amish Applesauce Cake Need Frosting?
This recipe is flavorful and moist enough that frosting is optional. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a simple caramel or cinnamon glaze complements the spices well. If you prefer a richer finish, a cinnamon cream cheese frosting or buttercream will work nicely.
Many people enjoy this cake plain with coffee or as a breakfast treat—its texture and fruit content give it a muffin-like appeal when served without frosting. Whether you dress it up or keep it simple, the cake is delicious either way.
Memories of Canning Applesauce
I grew up in an Amish home with nine siblings. Fall meant harvesting apples and canning applesauce for the winter. My mother cooked and canned dozens of jars so our household would be stocked through the colder months. Applesauce was a staple on our table, and my brothers often ate it with many meals.
As a child I helped with cutting, cooking, and canning the apples, chores that felt tedious at the time but are now fond memories tied to family and tradition. Those long days of canning left a strong association between applesauce and home, and this cake carries that same comforting feeling.
Recipe Card
Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe
A moist, warmly spiced applesauce cake with chopped nuts and optional raisins. This easy-to-make recipe yields a tender crumb and comforting flavor that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Prep time: 15 mins • Cook time: 40–55 mins • Total: 55 mins
Course: Breakfast, Dessert • Cuisine: American, Amish
Servings: 20 • Calories: 336 kcal (per serving)
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups applesauce
- ½ cup milk
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, or grease and flour a bundt pan for a bundt cake.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter. Add the white and brown sugars and beat until smooth.
- Add the egg and additional yolk and mix until combined.
- Stir in the applesauce and milk.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low to medium speed until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts and optional raisins.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. For a 9 x 13-inch pan, bake about 40 minutes. For a bundt pan, bake about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few dry crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool. Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with caramel glaze, or frost as desired. Slice and serve at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
If you enjoy a spicier cake, you can increase the cinnamon or add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom. Because applesauce adds significant moisture, store the cake covered at room temperature for two to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze tightly wrapped for a couple of months.
When baking in a bundt pan, grease well and dust with flour or sugar to help unmold the cake. Let the cake rest for about 10 minutes after baking, then invert onto a plate and allow to cool completely before decorating.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 336 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated fat: 4 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 26 g
More Amish Cake Ideas
If you enjoy this applesauce cake, try other classic Amish-style cakes like carrot cake with pineapple and pecans, chocolate cake, angel food cake, or shoofly cake. These recipes share the same simple, homey flavors and are great for family gatherings.
If you try this Amish applesauce cake recipe, please leave a comment and rating to share how it turned out. I’d love to hear your variations and suggestions.