Old Fashioned Applesauce Spice Cake

Name: Old Fashioned Applesauce Spice Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 175 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups (312 g) all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; 4 large eggs (room temperature); 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 1 cup (200 g) packed dark brown sugar; ¾ cup (180 ml) canola or vegetable oil; 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened applesauce; ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk (room temperature); 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (225 g or 8 oz) block-style cream cheese (room temperature); ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter (room temperature); 2 cups (240 g) confectioners’ sugar (sifted); ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

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by Haley // November 22, 2023

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Embrace autumn with the warm and comforting flavors of homemade spice cake. This easy recipe uses applesauce to create a moist and tender texture. Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, the fall cake will quickly become a family favorite!

square slice of applesauce cake on baking pan.

It doesn’t take much to bake a delicious dessert from scratch. Take this spice cake with applesauce. The recipe uses simple ingredients to produce an impactful flavor. And as the cake sits, the spices settle in and the cake ends up tasting even better the next day! It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or a snowy winter day.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super easy to make. The cake requires no electric mixer! The batter comes together in mere minutes.
Cozy flavors for fall and winter. Spiced desserts just warm you right up as the chilly weather settles in.
Great for sharing. I love sheet cakes precisely for this reason! They are meant to be served to groups of friends or during family gatherings.
Versatile. This recipe is not limited to a sheet pan. Use a different cake pan, try another frosting or add in some nuts or raisins!
Reliable. Spice cake is a recipe that is passed down from generation to generation. With its moist texture and flavorful taste, it’s no wonder it’s stayed popular over the years!

Ingredient Notes

bowls of ingredients to make applesauce spice cake.

Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce that is room temperature.
Spices: Check that your spices are fresh and not expired for the best flavor.
Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar works well in this recipe.
Vegetable oil: Any flavorless oil will work. It creates a moist texture without weighing down the cake.
Buttermilk: This also aids in a moist texture, but also helps the cake rise to become fluffy.
Cream cheese: Choose full-fat, block-style cream cheese for the frosting. It’s richer and creamier so it won’t get goopy when mixed.
Confectioners’ sugar: Also known as powdered sugar, this is used to sweeten the frosting.

Refer to the recipe card for ingredient details and measurements.

Recipe Variations

Try a different frosting. Personally, I love maple cream cheese frosting with fall cakes. However, if cream cheese isn’t your favorite, try a simple vanilla buttercream. I also think salted caramel frosting or brown butter frosting are good options.

Add some mix-ins. Add 1 cup of desired mix-ins after stirring together the wet and dry ingredients. Chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, is a classic addition. You can also stir in dried cranberries, raisins or chopped apple pieces.

Use a different cake pan. This recipe also works for two 8-inch round pans or three 6-inch round pans. Baking times will vary, about 25 to 35 minutes. You can also use a 9×5-inch loaf pan (bake for 35 to 45 minutes).

How to Make Applesauce Spice Cake

Whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside.
Mix the wet ingredients—eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until very well combined.
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. Transfer batter to a 9×13 baking pan.
Bake cake at 350 F for 30 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with little to no crumbs. Cool completely.

photo collage demonstrating how to make cream cheese frosting for spice cake.

Make the frosting. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix until combined. Mix in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
Frost cooled cake. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chopped nuts if desired. Slice and serve.

Expert Tips

Weigh the ingredients. This is much more accurate than using measuring cups. However, if you don’t have a kitchen scale, I suggest spooning the flour into a measuring cup and leveling with a knife (don’t pack it down).

Use room temperature ingredients. Not only does this make it easier to mix the ingredients, it also creates a uniform batter. As a result, the cake has a consistent texture!

Check that your spices are fresh. Considering they are the star ingredient, it’s super important that the spices are not expired. This will guarantee plenty of flavor!

Cool the cake completely before frosting. If the cake is still warm, the frosting will melt and we don’t want that!

9x13 applesauce spice cake with cream cheese frosting and cinnamon on top, and a few slices cut into squares.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Store loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Freeze for up to 3 months. After the cake has cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap and place in the freezer. If freezing frosted slices, flash freeze them for an hour or until firm, then cover in plastic wrap. When ready to eat, defrost in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature.

Make ahead the frosting and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let it sit at room temperature until soft enough to spread. You can also make this cake a day ahead of time (it tastes better as the spices sit). Cover and keep at room temperature and frost before serving for a fresh appearance.

Recipe FAQ

Can I substitute the buttermilk?

Yes, place 2 1/4 teaspoons distilled white vinegar in a liquid measuring cup. Fill with milk to the 3/4 cup measuring line for this recipe. Stir and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes before using.

Can I make cupcakes with this recipe?

I have not tested this recipe with a cupcake pan. If you decide to try it, I suggest baking for 18 to 20 minutes. Let us know in the comments how it turns out!

What’s the difference between spice cake and carrot cake?

Pretty much the only difference is the addition of shredded carrots. They provide a subtle sweetness, a gorgeous orange hue and a delicate texture. You may enjoy my layered carrot cake!