Are you craving a warm, comforting, and incredibly delicious cake that’s surprisingly easy to make? Look no further! This spice cake with applesauce recipe is a delightful blend of classic flavors and simple techniques, perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros. Forget complicated recipes and boxed mixes; this homemade version offers a moist, tender crumb and a fragrant spice profile that will leave you wanting more. It's the perfect addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and healthy meals. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this quick dinner dessert solution!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup boiling water
Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. This simple step ensures your cake bakes evenly and releases easily.
Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Thoroughly combining the dry ingredients prevents pockets of spice from forming in your cake.
Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended. Using applesauce adds moisture and a subtle sweetness, contributing to the cake's delicious texture.
Combining Wet and Dry:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake, so be gentle!
Adding the Boiling Water:
- Slowly pour in the boiling water and mix until the batter is smooth. The boiling water helps create a tender and moist crumb.
Baking the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Serving:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can dust it with powdered sugar, drizzle it with a glaze, or serve it plain.
Tips for the Best Spice Cake:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Use fresh spices: Freshly ground spices will offer the best flavor.
- Room temperature ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and applesauce helps ensure even baking.
- Check for doneness: Start checking for doneness around 30 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition to this cake.
- Different spices: Experiment with other spices like cardamom or ginger.
- Chocolate chips: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
- Cream cheese frosting: Top with a creamy cream cheese frosting for extra indulgence.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: 10-12g
- Protein: 3-4g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Sugar: 15-20g
This delicious and easy-to-make spice cake with applesauce is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy this healthy and comforting treat! It's perfect for any occasion, from a casual weeknight dessert to a special celebration. Share your baking experience and tag us in your photos!