Every couple of years we put up dozens of jars of homemade applesauce, made from the old apple tree that sits beside the garden. I like to sweeten to taste with a touch of our homebrew maple syrup. The jars line the pantry shelves like rows of sunshine, ready to serve alongside roasted pork or chicken, in winter baking, or as a simple snack. This Applesauce Spice Cake is one of our favorite ways to use it. It is the perfect “company’s coming” dessert because it comes together quickly, uses basic pantry ingredients, and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. You will know the truth, of course, but your guests never need to.
This old-fashioned spice cake is moist, tender, and warmly flavored with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. The applesauce keeps it incredibly soft without being heavy, and the simple stovetop caramel glaze gives it a glossy, fragrant finish that sinks just a little into the cake. It is the kind of dessert that makes the house smell like fall, no matter the season.
Cooking in our kitchen mostly relies on what we already have in the larder, and this recipe fits that rhythm perfectly. If you keep homemade or store-bought applesauce on hand, you can have this cake in the oven in minutes. It is wonderful for potlucks, Sunday dinner, or evenings when you want something sweet without making a fuss. It is also one of my go-to “snack cakes” because it stays moist for days and tastes even better the second day.
If you are a fellow pantry cook or homesteader looking for ways to use applesauce, this Applesauce Spice Cake belongs in your rotation. Simple, reliable, and delicious.
Enjoy it with the warm caramel glaze poured over the top, and tuck this recipe somewhere that is easy to find, because once you make it the first time, it becomes a keeper.
What Makes This Applesauce Spice Cake Special
Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand
Applesauce keeps the crumb incredibly moist without being heavy
Warm spices make it perfect for fall gatherings or cozy weeknights
The quick stovetop caramel glaze feels fancy but takes only a minute
Bakes in a 9×13 pan, making it ideal for serving a crowd
Even better the next day as flavors deepen
A reliable way to use home-canned applesauce
Tips For Success
Let the cake cool for a full hour before adding the glaze so it sets beautifully.
Maple sugar adds a deeper, richer flavor, but regular cane sugar works well too.
Do not overbake. This cake is meant to stay soft and tender.
You can use all purpose flour or freshly milled soft white wheat. The swap works 1:1 and both turn out wonderfully.
Double the glaze if you prefer a thicker caramel layer.
Before You Go
- If you like this kind of cozy pantry dessert, you will probably enjoy my Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting! They are soft, simple, and perfect for fall.
Old-Fashioned Applesauce Spice Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and spices in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a second bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, milk, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla.
- Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix well.
- Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes.
- Cool for one hour. Prepare the glaze and pour over the cooled cake.
- Slice and enjoy.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking, let bubble and caramelize for a couple minutes, then pour glaze over cake. Don't overcook or it will harden into stiff caramel.
2 Responses
I made this over the weekend but substituted Bob’s Red Mill Grain Free Paleo Baking Flour (same amount as in recipe) and Earth Balance spread for the butter (same amount as recipe) to make it grain and dairy-free. I live at high altitude so baking times vary here but 40 minutes was perfect and it turned out really well, great texture and just the right amount of moisture. Definitely a keeper for my recipe book!
Thank you for sharing your swaps, Kathleen. This will be so helpful to others. Appreciate you!