Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp (5g) baking soda
- ½ tsp (2.5g) salt
- 1½ tsp (3g) ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp (1g) ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp (0.5g) ground cloves
- Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1 large egg, room temperature (or 1 flax egg for vegan)
- 1½ cups (360ml) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
- Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ cup (75g) raisins or chopped walnuts
Instructions
1. Prep & Preheat
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch (23x23cm) baking pan.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until combined.
3. Cream Butter & Sugar
In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with a mixer until fluffy (~2 minutes). Add egg and mix.
4. Combine Wet & Dry
Stir in applesauce and vanilla. Gradually fold in dry ingredients until just combined. Add raisins or walnuts if using.
5. Bake & Cool
Pour batter into the pan. Bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes before slicing.
Extra Tips
FAQ's
Q: Can I use store-bought applesauce?
A: Yes! Opt for unsweetened to control sugar levels.
Q: Can I make this cake ahead?
A: Absolutely! Bake 1–2 days in advance; flavors deepen over time.
Q: Can I reduce the sugar?
A: Yes, but the texture may be denser. Reduce to ¾ cup (150g) for best results.
Q: Why is my cake too dense?
A: Avoid overmixing the batter fold gently until just combined.
