The Sweet Tradition: Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe for Cozy Days

My grandmother’s cherished Amish applesauce cake recipe whispers stories of cozy kitchen memories.

Warm spices dance through every crumbly slice, creating comfort in each bite.

Generations have passed down this simple, hearty dessert from Pennsylvania’s rolling farmlands.

Soft and moist, the cake carries hints of cinnamon and nutmeg that embrace your senses.

Pantry staples combine into a nostalgic treat that feels like a warm hug.

Baking this cake connects you to traditional Amish culinary wisdom and homestyle elegance.

One taste transports you to a peaceful countryside kitchen, inviting pure joy and deliciousness.

Amish Applesauce Cake Bringing Classic Comfort To Your Table

• Celebrate Family Heritage: Dive into a classic Amish recipe that brings generations of baking tradition right to your kitchen, connecting you with a rich culinary history.
• Customize with Ease: Add your personal touch by mixing in walnuts or raisins, making this cake adaptable to your taste preferences and perfect for any family gathering.
• Stress-Free Baking: Straightforward ingredients and simple mixing steps ensure even novice bakers can create a delicious dessert without complicated techniques or special equipment.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for potlucks, family reunions, afternoon tea, or a cozy dessert after dinner, this applesauce cake suits multiple occasions and always impresses guests.

Ingredients To Bake Amish Applesauce Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and classic flavor to the Amish applesauce cake.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to the cake's moisture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a smooth, consistent batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.
• Applesauce: Keeps the cake moist and adds a subtle fruity undertone.

• Walnuts, Raisins: Provide extra texture and optional flavor boost to the cake.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Simple ingredients that create a smooth, sweet topping for the cake.

Step-By-Step Guide To Amish Applesauce Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Grab a 9-inch baking pan and give it a light coating of grease, then dust it with a thin layer of flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Set the mixture aside while you prepare the next steps.

Step 3: Whip Up the Wet Ingredients

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and applesauce until everything is smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Bring the Cake Batter Together

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined.

• Chopped walnuts
• Raisins

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Add a Sweet Finishing Touch

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, letting it cascade down the sides for a delightful finish.

Enjoy your homemade Amish Applesauce Cake – a true comfort food that brings warmth to any table!

Tips To Make Amish Applesauce Cake Perfect Every Time

• Replace walnuts with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for nut-free versions or use dried cranberries for different flavor profiles.
• Use unsweetened applesauce to control sugar levels and ensure a super moist cake texture without making it too sweet.
• Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly blended batter with better rise.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like ground ginger or cardamom to enhance the cake's depth of flavor and create a more complex taste.
• Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.

Flavorful Variations To Enjoy With Amish Applesauce Cake

• Gluten-Free Apple Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Applesauce Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk for the glaze to create a dairy-free treat.
• Low-Sugar Apple Spice Cake: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining rich flavor.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Add pecans or almonds instead of walnuts, and incorporate shredded coconut for extra texture and depth of flavor.

Pairing Ideas That Enhance Amish Applesauce Cake

• The aromatic chai's cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger notes harmonize beautifully with the cake's warm spices, creating a comforting flavor symphony.
• The creamy, rich vanilla ice cream provides a cool contrast to the cake's dense texture, enhancing each bite with smooth sweetness.
• The coffee's deep caramel undertones complement the cake's subtle sweetness, offering a delightful balance of flavors that dance on your palate.

Storage Advice To Keep Amish Applesauce Cake Fresh

• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its moisture and flavor.
• Slice the cake, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving its delicious taste.
• Remove frozen cake from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Alternatively, warm slightly in the microwave at 50% power for 20-30 seconds.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore the cake's soft texture and warm comfort.

FAQs

• What makes Amish Applesauce Cake different from other cakes?

The cake uses applesauce as a key ingredient, which adds moisture, natural sweetness, and helps create a tender crumb without using additional liquid.

• Can I make this cake without nuts or raisins?

Absolutely! The nuts and raisins are optional, so you can easily omit them or substitute with other mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried cranberries if you prefer.

• Is this cake considered a healthier dessert option?

While not a diet food, the applesauce reduces the amount of fat needed and adds natural fruit nutrients, making it slightly healthier than traditional cakes.

Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Comforting Amish applesauce cake brings warmth from Pennsylvania kitchens with its rich, moist crumb and classic spice blend. Homemade goodness fills your home with nostalgic aromas that connect generations through simple, heartwarming baking traditions.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup applesauce
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins:

• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or raisins

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9-inch baking pan by greasing and lightly flouring the surface to prevent sticking.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg using a whisk, ensuring all dry ingredients are evenly mixed.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cake.
4. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a uniform texture.
5. Blend in vanilla extract and applesauce, stirring until the wet ingredients are completely integrated and smooth.
6. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to maintain the cake’s delicate texture.
7. If desired, gently fold in chopped walnuts or raisins to add extra dimension and crunch to the batter.
8. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
10. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Optional: Create a simple vanilla glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled cake for added sweetness.

Notes

• Swap applesauce for different fruit purees like pumpkin or mashed bananas to create unique flavor variations.
• Toast chopped walnuts before adding to enhance their nutty richness and provide a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Consider reducing sugar by 25% if using very sweet applesauce, preventing an overly sugary final product.
• Transform this into a gluten-free cake by substituting all-purpose flour with a reliable 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 204
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg