Cozy Countryside Rustic Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe

Sweet aromas of cinnamon and warm spices waft through kitchens when baking this rustic Amish applesauce cake.

The traditional Amish applesauce cake recipe carries generations of heartwarming memories and simple culinary wisdom.

Soft, moist textures emerge from carefully blended ingredients that dance between sweet and comforting flavors.

Farm-fresh apples lend their natural sweetness to this delectable dessert, creating a rich and tender crumb.

Generations of bakers have perfected this humble yet delightful cake that speaks to both nostalgia and pure comfort.

Each slice promises a delectable journey through classic Midwestern baking traditions.

Prepare to savor every tender, spice-infused bite of this beloved family recipe.

Ways to Plate and Present Applesauce Cake

• Cozy Comfort Pairing: Serve this warm Amish Applesauce Cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful contrast between the spiced cake and cool, creamy dessert.
• Rustic Breakfast Companion: Slice the cake and enjoy with a steaming mug of cinnamon coffee or hot apple cider for a nostalgic morning treat that feels like a warm hug.
• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Dust the cake with powdered sugar, add a few fresh apple slices on the side, and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts to elevate its homestyle charm.
• Festive Holiday Touch: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with a rustic twine for a charming homemade gift during fall gatherings or holiday celebrations.

Store Applesauce Cake for Snack Times

• Keep cake wrapped tightly in plastic film or aluminum foil at room temperature for 34 days. Refrigeration extends cake life up to one week without losing moisture or flavor.
• Slice cake before freezing in airtight containers. Freeze up to 3 months, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into individual servings, wrap separately for grab-and-go breakfast or dessert options. Perfect for meal prep and quick snacks throughout the week.
• Place a slice of bread with cake to maintain softness and prevent drying. Replace bread slice every 12 days to keep cake fresh and delectable.

FAQs

• What makes Amish Applesauce Cake different from other cakes?

This traditional cake uses applesauce as a key ingredient, which adds moisture and natural sweetness while reducing the amount of fat needed in the recipe.

• Can I substitute the raisins in the recipe?

Yes, you can swap raisins with other dried fruits like chopped dates, cranberries, or currants. If you prefer no fruit, simply omit them from the recipe.

• Is this cake good for people who don't like strong spice flavors?

While the cake contains warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, they are balanced and not overpowering. The applesauce helps create a subtle, gentle spice profile that most people enjoy.

• Do I need any special equipment to make this cake?

No special equipment is required. You’ll just need basic baking tools like a mixing bowl, measuring cups, a whisk, and a 9-inch baking pan.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 12

Amish Applesauce Cake Ingredient Guide

• Butter: Rich base that adds luxurious moisture and creates tender cake texture, select high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Caramelizing sweeteners that provide depth and create soft, moist crumb, ensure fresh and clump-free.
• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and richness, choose room temperature large eggs for smooth incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic enhancer that deepens overall flavor profile, opt for pure vanilla for authentic taste.
• Applesauce: Natural sweetener and moisture booster, select unsweetened variety to control sugar content.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational structure for cake, sift to remove lumps and ensure even distribution.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help cake rise and become light, check expiration dates for maximum effectiveness.
• Salt: Flavor balancer that enhances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Warm spices that create classic Amish cake complexity, use freshly ground for most intense flavor.

• Raisins, Nuts: Optional texture and flavor boosters, toast nuts beforehand to intensify their natural richness.

What to Grab for Old-Fashioned Baking

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing cake batter smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and creating a lump-free mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• 9×13-inch baking pan or 9-inch round cake pan: Needed for baking the cake evenly.
• Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and scraping batter into the pan.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cake cool completely and prevents soggy bottom.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing optional glaze.

Bake Amish Cake That Feels Homey

• Fire Up the Oven

Blast your oven to a toasty 350F. Grease a baking pan with a quick butter swipe and dust it with flour.

• Whip Butter and Sweeteners

Grab a mixing bowl and blend butter with sugars until they become a fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

• Introduce Wet Companions

Drop eggs one by one into the mixture, then splash in vanilla and applesauce. Mix until everything looks perfectly combined.

• Marry Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, dance together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

• Create Cake

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in raisins or nuts for extra excitement.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the top, and send it into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool and Relax

Let the cake chill in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack for complete cooling.

• Optional Glaze Finale

Whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla to create a silky drizzle. Shower the cooled cake with this sweet finale.

Additions to Enhance the Spiced Cake Flavor

• Expert tips to elevate your Amish Applesauce Cake experience.
• Replace some butter with extra applesauce for an incredibly moist, tender cake that stays fresh longer.
• Experiment with different warm spices like cardamom or ginger to create unique flavor profiles that complement the classic cinnamon-nutmeg combination.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the cake's delightful texture and structure for those with dietary restrictions.
• Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and choose dairy-free milk for the glaze to make this traditional recipe accessible to everyone.

Rustic Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade Amish Applesauce Cake offers a comforting slice of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch baking. Rich spices and moist texture highlight this classic dessert that connects generations of home cooks.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ½ cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (475 ml) unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ cup (75 g) raisins
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) milk or heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and grease a 9×13-inch or 9-inch round pan with flour for easy release.
2. Creaming: Whip butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
3. Wet Ingredients: Add eggs one at a time, then blend in vanilla extract and applesauce until fully integrated and uniform.
4. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together, ensuring even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
5. Combining: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, minimizing stirring to preserve cake’s tender crumb. Gently incorporate raisins and nuts if desired.
6. Baking: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing surface evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
7. Cooling: Rest cake in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Optional: Create a silky glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla, then drizzle elegantly over the cooled cake.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry and wet ingredients minimally to maintain a tender, soft cake texture without developing tough gluten strands.
• Customize Spice Blend: Adjust cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves proportions to match personal taste preferences or seasonal mood.
• Check Moisture Level: Use room temperature applesauce for smoother batter integration and consistent cake moisture throughout.
• Enhance Dietary Options: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use plant-based butter, and replace eggs with flax eggs for alternative dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 238
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 155 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 33 mg