Applesauce Honey Cake Recipe

I just stumbled across the coziest recipe that makes you feel like you’re getting a warm hug from autumn itself—my go-to applesauce honey cake! Trust me, as soon as you taste it, you’ll want to skip the latte and wrap yourself up in this bite of sweet-spiced perfection. 🍏🍯🍰

I love creating this Honey Applesauce Cake that marries the natural sweetness of honey and applesauce with the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The delightful moistness of the cake comes from an ideal ratio of vegetable oil to eggs, while just a smidge of vanilla bumps the flavor up to the next level.

It’s the perfect cozy, homestyle cake.

Ingredients

• Applesauce: Provides moisture and natural sweetness; low in calories.
• Honey: Natural sweetener; adds rich, floral flavor and moisture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake is tender; provides essential fats.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and structure; balances spices.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients; add richness and structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor; adds warmth and depth.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice; enhances flavors, complements apples and honey.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/4 cup raisins (optional)

How to Make this

1. Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to start. Prepare a 9-by-13-inch baking pan by greasing it and adding flour.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the following ingredients: unsweetened applesauce, honey, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until well blended.

3. In another mixing bowl, sift the following ingredients together: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.

4. Slowly incorporate the dry components into the wet components, mixing softly as you do so, until you achieve a uniform batter. Do not beat; do not even mix with much vigor. Just coax the components into a state of quiet consent: “Okay, you wet ingredients and you dry ingredients. You coexist in my bowl until I tell you to bake!”

5. Incorporate the chopped walnuts and raisins into the batter until they are evenly distributed, if you are using them.

6. Put the batter into the ready baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.

7. Put the pan in the preheated oven and heat for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick thrust into the central part of the cake comes out clean.

8. After the baking time, take the cake from the oven and let it sit in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes so that it can cool.

9. When the cake has cooled a little, turn it out onto the wire rack and let it cool completely.

10. When cooled, cut the applesauce honey cake and serve. You can keep it simple and serve it plain; you can add a light dusting of powdered sugar over the top. You could even go the extra mile and serve it up with a dollop of whipped cream. As far as I’m concerned, enjoy it however you see fit!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 9-by-13-inch baking pan
3. Mixing bowls (at least two)
4. Whisk
5. Sifter or fine mesh sieve
6. Spatula
7. Measuring cups and spoons
8. Wire rack
9. Toothpick

FAQ

• Can I substitute the honey with another sweetener?Indeed, you are able to utilize maple syrup or agave syrup in the same quantity as honey when you are in need of a replacement.
• Is it necessary to include the walnuts and raisins?No, the walnuts and raisins are optional and can be omitted or replaced with other ingredients like chocolate chips or dried cranberries.
• What is the best way to store the cake?Keep the cake in an air-tight container at room temperature for a maximum of three days. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for a maximum of one week.
• Can I make this cake gluten-free?You can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour, but results can vary slightly.
• What can I use instead of vegetable oil?An equal amount of melted coconut oil, light olive oil, or canola oil can be used in place of the vegetable oil.
• How can I make this cake egg-free?Substituting flax eggs or a commercial egg replacer can yield an egg-free cake.
• Is it possible to reduce the sugar without affecting the texture?Reducing the sugar by up to half a cup might slightly change the cake’s moistness and sweetness, but it shouldn’t affect the overall flavor.

Applesauce Honey Cake Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Maple Syrup or Agave Syrub: Substitute in equal amounts.
Coconut oil, melted: If using this in place of vegetable oil, use an equal amount.

Pureed fruit: For a lighter vegan version, use unsweetened applesauce.
Granulated sugar: Substitute with the same amount of brown sugar for a tastier outcome.
All-purpose flour: Use slightly less whole wheat flour (about 1 3/4 cups), as whole wheat can be denser, to achieve a nuttier taste.
Chopped walnuts (optional): Use chopped pecans instead or skip this ingredient to make the cake nut-free.

Pro Tips

1. Ensure your wet ingredients are at room temperature before mixing. This will help them combine more easily and result in a smoother batter.

2. Use a gentle folding technique when incorporating the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Overmixing can result in a dense cake, so stir just until the ingredients are combined.

3. Enhance the flavor by lightly toasting the walnuts before adding them to the batter. Toasting brings out the natural oils and flavors, adding a delicious crunch to the cake.

4. For added moisture and flavor, you can soak the raisins in a bit of warm water or apple juice for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the batter.

5. If you like a spicier cake, you can adjust the spices slightly by adding a pinch more cinnamon or nutmeg to suit your taste. Just be cautious not to overpower the other flavors.