This Amish applesauce cake is an old-fashioned dessert passed down for generations, and it has the perfect combination of spices, sweetness, and tangy moisture. This cake is also nurtured for it’s split simple ingredients and layers of sweet, creating the ideal cake to serve at a family gathering, holiday and even a small get together as a sweet selections after a meal. Amish Baked Applesauce Cake has been an old tradition in many Amish communities and also became very popular outside those communities because of its superb and teasing taste.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of Amish applesauce cake, its ingredients, and provide a recipe for baking the perfect cake. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a more experienced one, this cake will quickly become a favorite recipe in your collection.
A History of Amish Applesauce Cake
For generations, Amish recipes have been loved for their simplicity, tastiness, and ingredients that come close to home. This cake is applesauce based and flavored with a combination of spices, and originated in the Amish community where simplicity and scratch cooking are at the core of their existence.
Baking with apples is an age old tradition. Its close relative, applesauce, was brewed in the fall as a way to preserve apples so they would last through the winter. Applesauce was introduced on local farm tables and the Amish, being farmers, took off with the idea of using applesauce in cakes, and thus Amish applesauce cake was born.
The cake’s plainness is also the result of the Amish emphasis on cooking with what’s on hand and relatively affordable. Like many Amish recipes, this Amish applesauce cake is made from pantry staples such as flour, sugar and spices. It’s a cake that is all about the homegrown and the love that is poured into preparing a good meal.
Why I Love Amish Applesauce Cake
What makes Amish applesauce cake different than other cakes? The applesauce lends the cake a soft and tender crumb, while the warm spices — cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves — contribute with comforting warmth of flavor. This cake is also little less sweet than other cakes so, we let the natural flavor of applesauce comes out.
Another reason Amish applesauce cake is so memorable is that it is so simple. While cakes which require intricate frosting or fancy decorations tread a thin line of palatability, Amish applesauce cake is perfect in its plainness. In many cases, it’s either dusted lightly with confectioners’ sugar or even left un-iced! That makes it more accessible for brioche bakers of all skill levels.
And for many, Amish applesauce cake is nostalgic, recalling that place where time is worn smooth — family dinner at a home kitchen. There’s the warm smell of the cake baking in the oven, while every bite feels like a warm hug from days gone by.
What You Need For Amish Applesauce Cake
You don’t need a long list of elaborate ingredients to make a classic Amish applesauce cake. This cake, I know, is all about the quality of the ingredients and letting the cake really be what it is. Before you start baking, here are a few essentials to gather:
Applesauce
Applesauce is, of course, the main ingredient in Amish applesauce cake. This makes the cake extra moist and gives it a slight apple taste. You may add in from-scratch applesauce for added authenticity, but store-bought applesauce will work just as fine. Use unsweetened applesauce if you would like to have more control over the sweetness of the cake.
Flour
And it’s the flour that gives the cake its structure. Most Amish Applesauce Cake recipes will generally contain all-purpose flour. You will need to call for sifting the flour so there are no clumps and getting a smooth batter.
Baking Soda
Baking soda makes the cake rise and helps to make it tender. It interacts with the acidic applesauce to give you a tender cake.
Sugar
Many recipes for Amish applesauce cake include both white granulated sugar and brown sugar. The brown sugar gives them a richer, caramel flavor that goes so well with the applesauce.
Spices
It is a mixture of warm spices that really give Amish applesauce cake its unique flavor. What’s even more common: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves. You may change the amounts of spices to your preference, but these three are needed for that classic Amish taste.
Eggs
The egg is binding the ingredients and giving structure to the sponge. They also add a little bit of moisture to the cake.
Oil or Butter
You will need fat for richness and tenderness in your crumb. Some recipes call for oil, others for butter. Both produce good results, but oil will usually yield a slightly moister cake.
Vanilla Extract
The vanilla extract gives it the perfect amount of sweetness and flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Amish Applesauce Cake
Now that you know the ingredients you need, here’s how to actually make Amish applesauce cake. You can make a stunning homemade cake for your friends and family with these simple steps.
1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan, so the cake won’t stick as it bakes.
2: Combine All the Dry Stuff
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Be sure to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly to promote a uniform spice in the cake.
3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, sugar (both regular and brown), eggs, oil OR butter, and vanilla. Using a hand held mixer or a whisk, beat everything together until combined.
4: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring until just combined. Take care not to overblend the batter, as it can produce a heavy cake.
5: Bake the Cake
Spread batter in prepared baking pan. Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. The top will be golden brown.
6: Let the Cake Cool
Once the cake has finished baking, remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, turn the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7: Serve and Enjoy
Once the cake has cooled, you can serve it plain, or you can sprinkle it with powdered sugar for a nice, simple presentation. Amish applesauce cake can be served with a hot cup of coffee or tea so it can be a great dessert for just about any kind of gathering.
Variations of Amish Applesauce Cake
Although the traditional Amish applesauce cake is perfect as is, it is easy to customize to your cravings. Here are some options to consider:
Add-Ins for Extra Flavor
Additional Add-ins: If you like, you can mix in some raisins, chopped walnuts, or chopped apples for extra texture and flavor. These add-ins will add a little bit of depth to the cake, but will keep it consistent with the classic Amish concept.
Make it a Layer Cake
For a more indulgent version, you can bake the cake in two 9-inch round pans and sandwich the layers with frosting. The tangy richness of cream cheese frosting goes beautifully with Amish applesauce cake to bring out the flavors of the spices.
Make it Gluten-Free
If you need a gluten-free Amish applesauce cake you can use a cup for cup gluten free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Just make sure to confirm that your other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Why You Should Try Amish Applesauce Cake
It is not just a dessert — it’s a piece of history, and tradition. Simple to make with basic ingredients, a comforting flavor and a moist crumb, it’s a cake every generation will fall in love with. Whether you’re baking it for a group of family and friends or a cozy evening in, this cake is sure to warm and brighten any event.
What is so great about Amish applesauce cake, of course, is that it’s so adaptable. It can be presented plain, sprinkled with some confectioners’ sugar, or topped in several ways. The cake is easy to put together, and its rich flavor makes it readily vanish.
So if you’re searching for a cake that’s simple but rich in taste, Amish applesauce cake is the answer. What better way to add a little bit of Amish tradition to your home.
Conclusion
This cake is a perfect trio of simplicity, taste and heritage. It’s moist and tender with that deliciously comforting combination of spices the apples puree add a rich tart layer to the cake and it just screams cozy fall. Whether eaten plain or with mix-ins like raisins or walnuts, it’s a flexible dessert that can accommodate a range of tastes. The step by step recipe is so simple that even beginners in baking can also make this yummy cake which will surely turn everyone’s head!
It is no wonder that classic Amish cake continues to be a favorite that never goes out of style, simply because this is an old fashioned cake of nostalgia that is nothing more than a good dessert and nostalgic treat to the senses. It’s the kind of cake you’ll want to keep on regular rotation, and if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re going to want to change that—perhaps one slice at a time. So, grab you ingredients and make this classic cake — you won’t be disappointed.