Spiced Applesauce Cake with Rum Raisins

This delightful Spiced Applesauce Cake is a timeless classic that warms both hearts and bellies. Its roots trace back to the early American settlers, who ingeniously incorporated locally abundant apples into their desserts. Over time, the recipe evolved, embracing diverse spices like cinnamon and cardamom to create a symphony of flavors. Our version introduces a modern twist with optional rum-soaked raisins for an extra kick of indulgence.

Spiced Applesauce Cake with Rum Raisins

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 50 minutes – 1 hour

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (360g)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (227g)
• 2 cups light brown sugar, packed (400g)
• 1/4 cup honey (85g)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups homemade applesauce or store-bought chunky applesauce (480g)
• Confectioners’ sugar, optional, to taste, for topping

Optional Ingredients:

• Rum Raisins: 1 cup raisins soaked in 1/2 cup dark rum for an hour, then drained

How to Make Spiced Applesauce Cake

Step 1 – Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

Step 2 – Grease the Pan: Generously coat a nonstick 9-inch tube pan with cooking spray.

Step 3 – Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom.

Step 4 – Cream the Butter: In another bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and honey together with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy.

Step 5 – Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating after each addition until well-combined.

Step 6 – Combine Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Beat until just combined.

Step 7 – Introduce Applesauce: Gently fold the applesauce into the batter. If you’re feeling adventurous, fold in the optional rum-soaked raisins for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 8 – Fill the Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top evenly.

Step 9 – Bake to Perfection: Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean but slightly wet, about 50 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 10 – Cool Slightly: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Step 11 – Unmold the Cake: Turn the pan onto a cutting board or baking sheet and gently invert the cake onto the wire rack, ensuring the top side is up.

Step 12 – Complete Cooling: Let the cake cool completely on the wire rack.

Step 13 – Dust and Serve: Dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar for a sweet finish. Slice and serve this delightful Spiced Applesauce Cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Expert Tips:

• For a moist and tender cake, avoid overmixing the batter once the flour is added.
• Soaking raisins in rum adds a boozy, fruity dimension to the cake. Ensure they’re well-drained before incorporating them into the batter.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

FAQs for Spiced Applesauce Cake:

Q1: Can I use store-bought applesauce? A1: Absolutely! Store-bought chunky applesauce works wonderfully in this recipe.

Q2: Can I make this cake without rum raisins? A2: Of course! The cake is delicious on its own, without the rum raisins. They’re entirely optional.

Q3: Can I freeze this cake? A3: Yes, you can freeze it for up to three months. Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Alternate Names:

• Applesauce Spice Cake
• Cinnamon-Cardamom Apple Cake