Easy Applesauce Spice Cake with Caramel Glaze
A simple, easy-to-bake cake bursting with warm fall flavors and special enough for holiday dinners.
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Equipment
- bundt cake pan
- Wire Rack
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
Ingredients
Applesauce Spice Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp finely ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Caramel Glaze
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅔ cup heavy cream plus more as needed
- 8 tbsp 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ cup sifted powdered sugar plus more as needed
- sprinkles optional
Instructions
Make the cake
- Heat the oven to 350°F and spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with baking spray.
- In a medium bowl, sift together 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 ½teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼teaspoon black pepper, and ½teaspoon allspice.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 2 eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup brown sugar until light and airy. Mix in 1 ½ cups applesauce, ⅔ cup oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla until smooth.
- Fold in the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula, being careful not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 45 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan set on a wire rack before turning it out and letting it cool completely on the rack. Make sure the cake is completely before you make the glaze.
Make the glaze
- Place a piece of foil or parchment paper on cookie sheet and then place the wire rack on top of the lined cookie sheet to catch any drips before you start the glaze.
- Be sure to have all your ingredients read, because this part goes fast.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup brown sugar, ⅔ cup heavy cream, 8 tablespoons butter, and ½ teaspoon salt and set over medium heat. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly, and boil for 1 minute exactly. Remove from the heat.
- Let cool for a couple of minutes, then gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until you have a thick but pourable consistency (you may not need all of the sugar). If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of cream to thin it out a little.
- Immediately pour the glaze over the cake, moving slowly and evenly to cover as much surface area as possible. Add sprinkles if desired.
- Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
This easy applesauce spice cake is very forgiving with spice substitutions. You can add 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg or cloves, or sub them for the allspice and/or ginger. You could also use 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie or apple pie spice. Fell free to customize to your family's tastes. Or use what you have on hand.
You can also add chopped apples to the batter. (I'm allergic, so I don't use fresh apples. But they would be delicious in this cake.)
You can even use cranberry sauce instead of applesauce for a very Thanksgiving-y feel.
Not into caramel glaze? Boo! It's the best part. JK!! This cake is delicious on its own with a dusting of powdered sugar.
You can also add chopped apples to the batter. (I'm allergic, so I don't use fresh apples. But they would be delicious in this cake.)
You can even use cranberry sauce instead of applesauce for a very Thanksgiving-y feel.
Not into caramel glaze? Boo! It's the best part. JK!! This cake is delicious on its own with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Servings: 16 slices