Name: Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened (113 grams/8 Tablespoons); 1 3/4 cups sugar (350 grams); 2 large eggs (room temperature); 1 cup applesauce (unsweetened preferred); 2 cups peeled & grated or finely diced apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended); 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour or gluten-free flour* (270 grams); 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon cloves; 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; Buttermilk syrup; Whipped cream; Vanilla ice cream

There’s something deeply comforting about the softness of cake packed with cozy spices and that subtle apple sweetness. This Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe is one of those gems I always keep in my back pocket when I want a dessert that feels like a warm hug—moist, flavorful, and perfect for all kinds of gatherings.

A piece of brown cake sits on a small white round plate on a white marbled surface. The cake has a rough texture and is topped with a thick, dark caramel sauce covering the top and partially dripping down the sides. In front of the cake on the plate, a small piece is cut and a silver fork is stuck into it, showing the moist inside of the cake with caramel sauce pooling underneath. In the background, a green apple and a white pitcher are slightly blurred, along with another plate with cake on the same white marbled surface. A white cloth is partly visible in the lower frame, adding softness to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I baked this Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe — the smell filled my whole house with the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg, making it impossible not to savor the moment. What makes it really special is that texture and flavor come from real, simple ingredients, and the applesauce keeps it so moist without any fuss.

Double Apple Love: It uses both applesauce and fresh grated apples for a super moist, fruity cake.
Warm Spice Blend: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves combine perfectly for that classic cozy flavor.
Simple to Make: No complicated steps or fancy techniques—just straightforward comfort baking.
Flexible Serving Options: Great plain, with syrup, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate it.

A square piece of brown cake with a rough, crumbly texture sits on a small white plate. The cake is topped with a thick layer of smooth, shiny caramel sauce that flows over the edges and drips down onto the plate. In the background, there is a glass jug of milk and two apples, one green and one red. A fork lies on a white marbled surface in the front right corner of the image, and a white cloth is slightly visible at the bottom. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe plays its part to create that perfect balance of moistness, texture, and flavor. I love choosing fresh, tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to contrast the sweetness of the applesauce and sugar, which makes every bite interesting and delicious.

Flat lay of a large square of unsalted pale yellow butter, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white granulated sugar, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth pale applesauce, a small white ceramic bowl with peeled and finely diced green Granny Smith apples, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing ground cinnamon powder in warm brown tones, a small white ceramic bowl of nutmeg powder with a light beige color, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cloves in dark brown, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of white salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy white buttermilk syrup, a small white ceramic bowl with fluffy white whipped cream, and a small white ceramic bowl holding a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream — all ingredients fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Softened butter adds richness and helps create that tender crumb you want in a spice cake.
Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with moisture retention; I stick to granulated sugar for that classic texture.
Eggs: Bring everything together and give the cake structure—the room temperature tip is key for smooth mixing.
Applesauce: I prefer unsweetened to control the overall sweetness and keep it naturally moist.
Fresh Apples: Grated apples add fresh texture and bursts of juicy flavor throughout the cake.
Flour: All-purpose works great, but you can experiment with gluten-free blends for dietary needs.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Cloves: The warm spice trio that defines the flavor profile—don’t skimp on these!
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Provide the right lift and lightness for the cake.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I enjoy most about this Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or dietary needs. You can add a bit more spice, swap in gluten-free flour without losing texture, or even stir in nuts for added crunch.

Variation: I once added chopped walnuts for extra texture, and it was a game-changer—gives the cake a lovely nutty contrast to the sweet apples.
Dairy-Free Option: Use a plant-based butter and non-dairy yogurt instead of applesauce if you want to keep it moist but dairy-free.
Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the cinnamon or nutmeg amounts according to your preference for a milder or bolder spice presence.
Frosting: While this cake is fantastic on its own or with syrup, a cream cheese frosting adds a tangy richness that really elevates the experience.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

I always start by setting my oven to 375°F and making sure my 9x13” pan is ready—greased with butter or sprayed. For extra insurance against sticking, I sometimes line it with parchment paper. It saves cleanup and keeps your cake’s edges nice and smooth.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisking upfront helps evenly distribute those spices and leavening agents, so your cake bakes evenly flavorful.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat softened butter and sugar for about 2-3 minutes. You want it light, fluffy, and pale—the secret to a tender cake with the perfect crumb. If your butter's too cold, it won't fluff properly, so patience here pays off.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Applesauce

Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the applesauce—this ingredient really adds moisture without heaviness. I like unsweetened applesauce to let the spices and apples shine without extra sugar.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry, Then Fold in Apples

Slowly add your dry ingredients to the wet mix, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough, so stop as soon as you see no more flour. Then, gently fold in those grated apples for fresh bursts of flavor and moisture.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Pour the batter evenly into your pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. If your cake starts to get too brown while baking, loosely tent with foil for the last 10 minutes—this keeps things moist without burning.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooled, slice and serve with a drizzle of buttermilk syrup, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or your favorite frosting. It’s just perfect warm or at room temperature, depending on your craving.

Top Tip

From my experience baking this Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few little tricks that really make a difference when you want that perfect texture and flavor.

Use Room Temperature Eggs: It helps your batter come together smoothly without curdling or lumps.
Don't Overmix: Stir your batter just until the dry ingredients disappear to keep the cake tender.
Apply Foil Tent if Needed: This prevents overbrowning but lets the cake bake all the way through perfectly.
Fresh Apples Matter: Using crisp tart apples keeps the cake fresh and alive — not mushy or overwhelmed by sweetness.

How to Serve Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe

Garnishes

I am a sucker for a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a swirl of whipped cream on this cake—both add a delicate touch without overpowering the spices. On cooler days, a scoop of vanilla ice cream melts beautifully on warm slices, making it feel extra indulgent.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of chai tea or hot cider if you want a cozy afternoon treat. I’ve also served it alongside a tart berry compote to complement the warm spices and add a fresh pop of flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to bake this cake in a bundt pan and drizzle it with a spiced glaze. Layering thin slices between cake rounds creates a rustic apple spice layer cake that feels pretty special and impresses everyone without added fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover the cake tightly and keep it in the fridge. It stays moist and delicious for 2-3 days this way. If you want to keep it at room temp, just stash it in an airtight container and enjoy it within a day or two.

Freezing

Freezing works well! I wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to protect from freezer burn. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw overnight in the fridge and it tastes almost as fresh as when first baked.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I pop a slice in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm it gently in the oven wrapped in foil. It revives that fresh-baked softness and melds all the cozy spices just right.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of apple for this Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe?

Absolutely! I usually recommend tart and firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they hold their texture and balance the sweetness. But Fuji or Gala work too, just expect a slightly different flavor and softness.

Do I have to use applesauce in this recipe?

While the applesauce keeps the cake moist and enhances apple flavor, you can swap it with an equal amount of mashed banana or pumpkin puree. Just keep in mind the flavor and texture might vary slightly.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour. Just make sure your blend has xanthan gum or a similar binder for best texture.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftover cake tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 days to keep it moist and fresh. You can also freeze slices wrapped individually for longer storage—just thaw in the fridge before serving.

Final Thoughts

I always find this Apple Spice Cake with Applesauce Recipe a wonderful way to bring a little bit of warmth and homeyness into the kitchen. It’s easy enough for a weekday treat but special enough for your next gathering. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite way to celebrate the cozy flavors of fall (or any time really!). And don’t forget, the real joy is savoring every bite with a warm cup and good company.