This easy Applesauce Spice Cake is soft, moist, and perfectly spiced thanks to two full cops of applesauce. Topped with a thick brown sugar icing and crunchy toasted pecans, it’s the perfect cake for brunch, snack, or dessert. Bake it once and watch it disappear in no time!

The Perfect Everyday Spice Cake

There’s something so comforting about spice cake. It’s smiple, cozy, and full of warm flavor. This Applesauce Spice Cake is exactly that kind of recipe: nothing fussy, nothing complicated, just a soft, spiced sheet cake topped with a sweet brown sugar icing that crackles every so slightly as it sets.

The real secret here is the applesauce. Two cups might sound like a lot, but it’s exactly what keeps this cake so moist. Applesauce brings sweetness, flavor, and just the right amount of tenderness to the crumb. The result is a cake that tastes even better the next day and stays soft all week long.

And let’s talk about the icing! Brown sugar icing is in a league of its own — thicker than a glaze, softer than a frosting, and with a rich caramel-like flavor. Sprinkle toasted pecans on top, and suddenly this easy sheet cake is special enough for guests.

If you’re looking for a cake that’s easy, reliable, and tastes like fall in every bite, this Applesauce Spice Cake is the one to bake. Make it for brunch, bring it to a potluck, or slice off a square in the afternoon with a cup of coffee. However you serve it, it’s always a hit.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make this applesauce spice cake, along with some key recipe notes and substitutions listed below.

• Flour: To make the cake gluten-free, swap with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
• Spices: The recipe calls for cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, or cloves, but a pumpkin pie or apple pie spice blend is a great substitution.
• Butter: To keep the cake dairy-free, use vegetable oil, melted coconut oil, or a dairy-free butter alternative.
• Applesauce: Either homemade or store-bought applesauce works, but I suggest unsweetened to keep the cake from becoming overly sweet.
• Eggs: For an egg-free cake, use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flax seeds + 3 tablespoons of water, whisked well, per egg).
• Heavy Cream: For a dairy-free alternative, use canned full-fat coconut milk.
• Toasted Pecans: Skip for a nut-free cake, or substitute with toasted pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch.

How to Make Applesauce Spice Cake

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.

2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the applesauce, melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

3. Make the Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.

4. Bake the Cake: Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake until golden and a tester inserted into the center comes out with a moist crumb.

5. Make the Icing: Cook the brown sugar, butter, cream, and salt until slightly thickened. Cool slightly, then whisk in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract.

6. Decorate the Cake: Quickly spread the warm icing over the cooled cake and top with toasted pecans.

Why Applesauce Keeps Cake Moist

Applesauce might seem like just a simple ingredient for flavor, but it completely changes the texture of a cake. To understand why this Applesauce Spice Cake stays so moist for days, we have to look at what’s inside the applesauce. This means it’s time for my favorite subject… kitchen chemistry!

Kitchen Chemistry

Applesauce is over 85% water and also contains pectin. During baking, the water molecules bind to the starches and proteins in the batter. Instead of evaporating quickly, this water becomes trapped in the structure of the cake, keeping the crumb tender. Meanwhile, the pectin, a gelling agent found in apples, acts as a natural stabilizer, forming a gel-like network that locks in moisture.

This combination of water and pectin improves the shelf life and texture of the cake, keeping the crumb moist day after day. So when you slice into this cake on day three and it tastes just as fresh as when you baked it, you can thank the chemistry of applesauce for that soft, tender bite!

Tips and Tricks for the Best Applesauce Spice Cake

1. Toast the Pecans: Toasting pecans enhances the flavor. Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes until fragrant.
2. Pour the Icing While Warm: The brown sugar icing sets quickly, so spread it as soon as the confectioners’ sugar has been whisked in and sprinkle the nuts before it firms up.
3. Adjust the Spice Blend: Love cinnamon? Add extra. Prefer a more mellow flavor? Reduce the cloves. Play around with your favorite fall spices (cardamom is a delicious addition!).
4. Cool Cake Completely: Make sure the cake is completely cool before pouring the frosting on top; the glaze will slide right off a warm cake.
5. Cream Cheese Frosting: Instead of the brown sugar glaze, try serving this cake with a thick layer of homemade cream cheese frosting.
6. Storage: Keep the cake covered at room temperature for 3 days or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Wrap well and store in a freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
7. Recommended Tools: 9×13-inch Baking Pan | Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Saucepan | Offset Spatula

More Fall Cake Recipes

• Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
• Chocolate Caramel Cake
• Cranberry Orange Cake
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
• Maple Walnut Bundt Cake