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Best Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake Recipe
Well, it’s hard to believe it, but we’re already at the end of National Apple Month! That brings us to our final apple concoction… applesauce cake!
Fresh applesauce is wonderful all by itself. But sometimes, you might want to spruce it up a bit. Or maybe you have a bunch left over in the fridge that needs to be used, stat. Either way, an applesauce cake is an easy (and delicious!) way to use some applesauce.
Most likely, when you think of applesauce cake, you think of that perfect autumnal sweetness and spice from your childhood. This family recipe has been passed down through several generations, and it’s our go-to for sweet, applesaucy memories. That’s what makes it the best old fashioned applesauce cake!
Looking to use up apples a few other ways? Try our recipes for apple crisp, apple dumpling cobbler, or apple pie!
Tips and Tricks
Like many desserts on here, this applesauce cake recipe uses Crisco butter shortening. It’s just one small part of what makes it so good!
This cake is moist and delicious on its own, but if you’d like, you can also add a frosting or icing of your choice. We like to use the caramel frosting recipe from these zucchini cupcakes. As you can see in the picture, you can even use whipped cream!
Since this recipe takes two eggs, you can easily halve it if you want to make less cake at a time. Try it in a 9×9, but remember to adjust the baking time and check it frequently so it doesn’t burn.

Applesauce Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- ¼ tsp. baking powder
- 1½ tsp. baking soda
- 1½ tsp. salt
- ¾ tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground cloves
- ½ tsp. allspice
- ½ cup Crisco butter shortening
- ½ cup water
- 1½ cups applesauce
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°. Grease 13 x 9 x 2 pan.
- Blend dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add shortening, water, and applesauce, and beat with mixer for 2 minutes on medium speed.
- Add eggs, and beat 2 more minutes. Scrape bowl to ensure all ingredients are mixed.
- Stir in walnuts and/or raisins, if using, and pour into pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool and frost if desired.
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