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Applesauce Cake Recipe (Without Applesauce): A Cozy Fall Favorite

Categories Baked Goods and Bread, Desserts & Sweet Treats, Thanksgiving Pies and Desserts

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Applesauce Cake Recipe (Without Applesauce): A Cozy Fall Favorite

Fall is nature’s encore—leaves crisp up, air cools down, and suddenly, everything tastes better with a hint of cinnamon. This “applesauce cake” is one of those recipes that winks at tradition. Spoiler alert: there’s actually no applesauce in it. My kids dubbed it that because it tastes like a cozy bowl of cinnamon applesauce baked into cake form. With just five simple ingredients, this cake practically stirs itself—perfect for last-minute potlucks, chilly afternoon snacks, or when you just need a bite of autumn comfort.

A frosted applesauce cake garnished with chopped walnuts sits on a rustic ceramic plate surrounded by fall leaves, cinnamon, and apples. Text overlay reads “Tastes like fall. Bakes like a shortcut.” with subtitle “Applesauce Cake Recipe” and tagline “Spoiler: There’s no applesauce. Just applause.”

Why You’ll Love This Apple Spice Cake

This easy applesauce cake recipe delivers big fall flavor with minimal effort. It’s made with pantry staples, stirred in one bowl, and baked into a tender, cinnamon-kissed dessert that tastes like apple pie and spice cake had a love child. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or just craving something warm and nostalgic, this cake fits the bill.

  • Just five ingredients—no applesauce required
  • One-bowl prep, no mixer needed
  • Cozy cinnamon and apple flavor in every bite
  • Versatile topping options: buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or caramel drizzle
  • Ideal for potlucks, bake sales, and holiday dessert tables

Ingredients for Applesauce Cake

For the Cake:

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • ¾ cup apple juice
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 can (21 oz) apple pie filling

For Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (Option 1):

  • Vanilla buttercream or pre-made frosting
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon or cinnamon sugar

For Cream Cheese Frosting (Option 2):

  • 1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 3–4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

slice of applesauce cake

How to Make Applesauce Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line a 9×13-inch pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
  3. Dice apple pie filling directly in the can using a sharp knife.
  4. In a large bowl, mix cake mix, apple juice, oil, and eggs until smooth.
  5. Stir in diced apple pie filling.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool completely before frosting.

For Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Add apple pie spice and powdered sugar gradually. Blend in milk until smooth. Spread on cooled cake and top with walnuts if desired.

Expert Tips for the Best Applesauce Cake

  • Shortcut version: Mix only the cake mix and pie filling for a denser, richer texture.
  • Boost the spice: Add extra cinnamon or apple pie spice for deeper flavor.
  • Make it mini: Use muffin tins to create apple spice cupcakes.
  • Add crunch: Top with toasted pecans or granola for texture.

Creative Variations

  • Caramel Apple Cake: Replace frosting with warm caramel sauce.
  • Apple Cider Upgrade: Use apple cider instead of juice for a tangy twist.
  • Apple Crumble Top: Sprinkle brown sugar and oats before baking for a streusel finish.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free spice cake mix to make it accessible for all.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this cake slightly warm with:

  • Salted caramel drizzle
  • Whipped cream
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • A mug of hot apple cider or chai tea

FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time? Yes. It actually tastes better the next day as the spices deepen.

How do I store it? Keep covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Can I freeze it? Absolutely. Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving.

Can I use yellow cake mix instead? Yes, but add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon or apple pie spice to bring in that fall flavor.

Final Thoughts

This so-called applesauce cake might be a little deceiving, but in the best possible way. It’s the cake that captures everything we love about fall—warm spices, tender apples, and a cozy aroma that fills your kitchen. Whether you frost it with buttercream, drizzle it with caramel, or keep it simple, this is one of those desserts that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (and the recipe).

A frosted applesauce cake garnished with chopped walnuts sits on a rustic ceramic plate surrounded by fall leaves, cinnamon, and apples. Text overlay reads “Tastes like fall. Bakes like a shortcut.” with subtitle “Applesauce Cake Recipe” and tagline “Spoiler: There’s no applesauce. Just applause.”
Yield: 12 servings

Applesauce Cake Recipe (Without Applesauce): A Cozy Fall Favorite

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

This easy applesauce cake recipe skips the applesauce but delivers all the cozy fall flavor. Made with just five ingredients, it’s a shortcut dessert that tastes like cinnamon apples and spice cake had a love child. Perfect for potlucks, Thanksgiving, or chilly afternoons when you need a warm, nostalgic treat.

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • ¾ cup apple juice
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 can (21 oz) apple pie filling

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (Option 1):

  • 1 tub Vanilla buttercream or pre-made frosting
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon or cinnamon sugar

Cream Cheese Frosting (Option 2):

  • 1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 3–4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line a 9x13-inch pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
  3. Dice apple pie filling directly in the can using a sharp knife.
  4. In a large bowl, mix cake mix, apple juice, oil, and eggs until smooth.
  5. Stir in diced apple pie filling.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Add apple pie spice and powdered sugar gradually. Blend in milk until smooth. Spread on cooled cake and top with walnuts if desired.

Notes

  • Shortcut version: Mix only the cake mix and pie filling for a denser texture.
  • Use apple cider instead of juice for a tangy twist.
  • Make it mini: Use muffin tins for apple spice cupcakes.
  • Store covered at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Freezes well—wrap slices individually and thaw overnight.

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    12

    Serving Size:

    1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1635Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 403mgCarbohydrates: 373gFiber: 3gSugar: 346gProtein: 5g

    The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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    © Julee
    Cuisine: american / Category: Desserts & Sweet Treats

    About Julee Morrison

    Julee Morrison is an author and writer with over 35 years of experience in parenting and family recipes. She’s the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook.Available on Amazon,

    Her work has appeared in The LA Times, Disney’s Family Fun Magazine, Bon Appétit, Weight Watchers Magazine, All You, Scholastic Parent & Child, and more.

    Her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" appeared on AP News, and her parenting piece “The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit” was featured on PopSugar.

    Outside of writing, Julee enjoys baking, reading, collecting crystals, and spending time with her family. You can find more of her work at Mommy’s Memorandum.

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