Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe

Ladies, I’m about to share a treasure from the heartland that’s been warming kitchens for generations! This Amish applesauce cake is like a hug in dessert form – moist, perfectly spiced, and absolutely soul-satisfying. I discovered this gem years ago during a trip through Pennsylvania Dutch country, and it’s been my go-to fall comfort cake ever since. There’s something magical about the way the applesauce keeps every slice tender for days (though in my house, it rarely lasts that long!). The aroma while it’s baking? Heavenly! Trust me, this is the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary afternoon coffee into a special occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This cake stays incredibly moist for days thanks to the applesauce – perfect for making ahead when you know company’s coming!
• It uses simple pantry ingredients that you likely already have on hand – no special shopping trip required!
• The warm spices create the most amazing aroma while baking – better than any candle for making your home feel cozy and inviting.
• It’s versatile enough for both casual family desserts and special occasions (especially topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream).

Ingredients

Applesauce – The star of our show! Use homemade if you have it, or unsweetened store-bought for that authentic apple flavor without extra sugar.

All-purpose flour – The foundation of our cake that gives it structure while staying tender.

Brown sugar – Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with the spices.

Butter – For that irreplaceable rich flavor that only real butter can provide.

Eggs – They bind everything together and add richness to the texture.

Cinnamon – The quintessential spice that makes this cake truly special.

Nutmeg – Just a touch adds depth and warmth to the spice profile.

Cloves – That little pinch makes all the difference in creating that classic Amish flavor.

Baking soda – Helps our cake rise to perfect height with a tender crumb.

Salt – Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.

Vanilla extract – That warm backdrop that makes everything taste more homemade.

Raisins – Those little bursts of natural sweetness in every bite (optional, but traditional!).

Walnuts – For that perfect bit of crunch and nutty flavor.

The full ingredient list with measurements will be available in the recipe card below.

How to Make Amish applesauce cake

Preparing Your Pan and Oven

1. First things first – position your oven rack in the center and preheat to 350°F. This temperature is just right for our cake to rise evenly and develop that gorgeous golden color.
2. Prepare your 9×13 inch baking pan by greasing it generously with butter (don’t be shy!), then dust lightly with flour. For extra insurance against sticking, I like to line the bottom with parchment paper – it’s a little trick that saves so much heartache later!

Making the Batter

1. In your mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until it’s fluffy and lighter in color – about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush this step! This creates tiny air pockets that give your cake that perfect texture.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. I always crack my eggs into a separate small bowl first – nothing ruins baking day like fishing out eggshell pieces!
3. Pour in that wonderful applesauce and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is beautifully incorporated. Your batter might look a bit curdled at this point – don’t worry, that’s perfectly normal!
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt. This ensures your spices are evenly distributed throughout the cake.
5. Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Remember, overmixing is the enemy of tender cake! I like to use a gentle hand with a wooden spoon for this part.
6. Now for the fun part – fold in those raisins and chopped walnuts. They’ll add wonderful texture and flavor to each slice.

Baking to Perfection

1. Pour your batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to the corners. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter to release any air bubbles.
2. Slide it into your preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
3. Place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool completely before cutting – I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but patience rewards you with perfect slices!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Room temperature ingredients matter! Set your butter, eggs, and even the applesauce out about an hour before baking for the best texture and rise.
• If your applesauce is particularly watery, drain it in a fine mesh sieve for about 30 minutes before measuring. This prevents your cake from becoming too wet.
• For extra flavor dimension, try using half dark brown sugar and half light brown sugar. The molasses in dark brown sugar adds a wonderful depth.
• Don’t have buttermilk? Make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

How to Serve

This beloved cake shines in its simplicity but can be dressed up in so many delightful ways! My favorite way to serve it is slightly warm with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top.

For a true Amish-inspired presentation:

• Serve on your prettiest cake plates with freshly brewed coffee or hot apple cider
• Dust the top lightly with powdered sugar for a simple but elegant finish
• Add a thin drizzle of caramel sauce for special occasions
• Pair with sharp cheddar cheese on the side for an authentic Pennsylvania Dutch experience that might sound unusual but is absolutely delicious!

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead

This wonderful cake actually improves with time as the flavors meld together! You can bake it 1-2 days before serving, and many would argue it tastes even better on day two. Once completely cooled, cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Storage

Keep your Amish applesauce cake covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. The applesauce keeps it wonderfully moist much longer than ordinary cakes! I like to place a piece of bread in the container with the cake – the bread will go stale instead of your cake, keeping each slice fresh and perfect.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully for up to 3 months! Wrap individual slices or the entire cake (unglazed) tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight at room temperature when ready to enjoy. I often double the recipe just to have some in the freezer for unexpected company – it’s saved my entertaining reputation more than once!

FAQs

Amish Applesauce Cake

A moist, warmly spiced cake that’s rich with applesauce and old-fashioned flavor. This classic Amish dessert is perfect for fall gatherings, cozy coffee breaks, or make-ahead entertaining.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack Cake

Cuisine American, Amish

Servings 12 slices

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Whisk
• Rubber Spatula

Ingredients

  

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce homemade or store-bought
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt

Optional Add-ins

• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan and optionally line the bottom with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in applesauce and vanilla until combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
• Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir just until combined—do not overmix.
• Fold in raisins and walnuts if using.
• Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Tap pan lightly on counter to remove air bubbles.
• Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
• Cool completely in pan on wire rack before slicing. Serve plain or topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or caramel drizzle.

Notes

For extra richness, use part dark brown sugar. If using homemade applesauce, ensure it’s not too watery. This cake tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen.

Keyword applesauce cake, easy sheet cake, fall dessert, moist cake