There’s something undeniably comforting about a spiced cake fresh out of the oven. Today, we’re diving into an old-fashioned favorite that has stood the test of time: the Amish applesauce cake recipe. This moist, warmly spiced dessert comes straight from traditional Amish kitchens, bringing with it layers of flavor and nostalgia. In this article, you’ll get the full homemade recipe, baking tips, and the history that makes this cake so special. You’ll also find expert answers to popular questions like what makes Amish cakes unique, and why bundt cakes hold such a memorable place in the American baking tradition.
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Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Amish applesauce cake recipe is a moist, warmly spiced dessert made from scratch using pantry staples. A simple, traditional treat that brings comfort to every bite.
Ingredients
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1½ tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground allspice
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
½ cup milk
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan or bundt pan.
2. Cream butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs, applesauce, and milk. Mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
6. Fold in nuts and raisins, if using.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 40–45 minutes (9×13) or up to 55 minutes (bundt), until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool completely before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
This cake stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
Try adding a brown sugar glaze or vanilla icing for a sweeter finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amish
Table of Contents
A Slice of Memory & Comfort (amish applesauce cake recipe)
The Flavor of Fall and Family
There’s something magical about the scent of cinnamon and applesauce filling the kitchen. I first made this amish applesauce cake recipe one crisp October afternoon when my daughter came home with a bag of bruised apples from a school trip. She didn’t want to waste them, so we turned them into applesauce—and from that, came this cake.
Back home in St. Francisville, fall meant canning applesauce with my grandma. She didn’t use recipes—just muscle memory and love. That’s the beauty of this recipe for amish apple sauce cake: it’s made for real life. You don’t need fancy tools, just a mixing bowl, a spoon, and ingredients you probably already have.
And this isn’t a dry or crumbly loaf. This is a dense, moist, warmly spiced cake that’s packed with flavor. Think of it as a mix between your favorite spice cake and a comforting banana bread, but richer—with tender crumbs and deep caramel notes from brown sugar and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.
For another nostalgic Southern treat that’s rich and simple, try this lazy girl pecan pie bars recipe—they’re quick to make and just as comforting as this cake.
Why Amish Cakes Hold a Special Place
Amish recipes aren’t flashy. They’re not overly sweet or dressed up with fondant or sprinkles. But what they do offer is heart. A traditional amish applesauce cake recipe easy keeps it simple with pantry staples: flour, sugar, butter, and of course, applesauce.
What makes Amish baking so meaningful is the intention behind it. These cakes weren’t created to impress, but to nourish families, use what was on hand, and waste nothing. When I make this cake, I’m reminded that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be wonderful.
The texture is moist and slightly dense, with just enough lift to feel light on the fork. It can be made with or without raisins or nuts, depending on your taste. Serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream—or just plain, like I do with a hot cup of coffee.
This kind of honest, unfussy baking is what makes the old fashioned amish applesauce cake recipe a favorite in my home.
How to Make Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Find in Every Amish Pantry
One reason this is considered the best amish apple sauce cake is because it’s built on timeless pantry staples. Every bite brings cozy spices, rich flavor, and a soft, tender crumb.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this amish applesauce cake recipe from scratch:
Dry Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground allspice
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup milk
Mix-ins (Optional but Recommended):
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 cup raisins
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon cream cheese frosting
- Brown sugar glaze
This cake doesn’t require frosting, but it holds up beautifully to a light dusting of sugar—or nothing at all.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Amish Applesauce Cake
Follow these simple steps to make your apple sauce cake come out moist, aromatic, and golden:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or bundt pan.
- Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add both sugars and beat until fluffy.
- Add eggs, applesauce, and milk. Mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts and raisins, if using.
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes (9×13 pan) or up to 55 minutes (bundt pan), until a toothpick comes out with just a few dry crumbs.
- Cool completely before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar or serve plain.
The result is a hearty, aromatic cake that slices beautifully and stays moist for days. It’s a dessert that fits right alongside other rustic favorites like this pecan pie bars recipe, especially when you’re baking for a crowd. Whether you’re hosting Sunday supper or just want to treat your family midweek, this amish applesauce cake recipe delivers timeless comfort with every bite.
Variations & Serving Suggestions (amish applesauce cake recipes)
Making It Your Own: Popular Amish Applesauce Cake Variations
While the original is hard to beat, the beauty of amish applesauce cake is how flexible they are. Amish cooks have been adapting this cake for generations, using what they have on hand or what’s in season.
Want to make it nut-free? Simply leave out the walnuts or pecans. Prefer a richer texture? Swap some of the all-purpose flour with cake flour for a softer crumb. You can even fold in chopped apples or dried cranberries for added bite.
One of my favorite tweaks is adding a light brown sugar glaze with a pinch of cinnamon for an extra layer of sweetness. Or, if you’re baking it in fall, consider mixing in a teaspoon of nutmeg or cardamom to deepen the spice profile.
In some communities, this cake is even turned into muffins or small loaves—perfect for gifting or freezing. And if you’re feeding a crowd, it doubles beautifully with no loss in texture or flavor.
Looking for another warm, cozy bake? This butter pecan dump cake recipe has that same nostalgic richness and can be served straight from the pan.
How to Serve & Store This Cake
When it comes to serving, this cake doesn’t need much help. It’s delightful on its own, especially with a hot mug of coffee. Still, if you’re dressing it up for a gathering, you can dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the top.
This amish applesauce cake recipe also keeps beautifully. Because of its high moisture content, it stays tender for days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’re making it ahead, it freezes well too—just slice, wrap individually, and thaw as needed.
In our home, I’ll often cut and freeze half the cake, then pull out a few slices at a time for a quick breakfast treat or an after-school snack. It’s the kind of cake that quietly becomes a staple in your rotation, comforting and consistent no matter how many times you bake it.
Why This Cake Belongs in Every Home Baker’s Recipe Box (easy amish applesauce cake)
Effortless to Make, Easy to Love
If you’ve made it this far, you already know the charm of an easy amish applesauce cake. It’s not just the taste—it’s how incredibly simple it is to bring together. No fancy mixers or exotic ingredients required. You don’t even need frosting to make it shine. That’s the genius of this cake—it’s practical, it’s forgiving, and it always satisfies.
This amish applesauce cake recipe is one of the most dependable desserts I make, especially when the craving for something homemade hits fast. It’s perfect for fall, but honestly, I bake it year-round. Just ten minutes of prep and one bowl later, the smell of cinnamon and cloves fills the house—and suddenly, everything feels a little warmer.
It’s also flexible. You can add nuts or leave them out, toss in raisins, or keep it simple. That’s the beauty of a traditional amish applesauce cake recipe—it always fits your moment, whatever it may be.
If you’re short on time but still want homemade goodness, you’ll also love this pecan dump cake recipe, another rich and satisfying option that’s just as easy.
The Heart Behind the Cake
At the end of the day, this isn’t just a recipe—it’s tradition. Passed down from one home cook to another, amish applesauce cake a moist & spiced classic is more than the sum of its ingredients. It’s about feeding people you love, using what you have, and keeping those quiet moments of connection alive.
Whether you’re baking it for a church gathering or just want to surprise your kids after school, this amish applesauce cake recipe delivers. It tastes like a warm hug from your grandmother’s kitchen—spiced, sweet, and full of heart. I’ll be making this amish applesauce cake recipe for years to come, and I hope you will too.
FAQs About Amish Applesauce Cake
What is the cake that the Amish bake in a pie shell?
That would be Amish Shoofly Pie Cake, a variation of the classic shoofly pie baked like a cake inside a pie crust. It combines molasses, brown sugar, and a buttery crumb topping—deeply traditional and rich in Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. While it’s different from an amish applesauce cake recipe, both share that rustic, old-fashioned flavor Amish desserts are known for.
What is Amish Neighbor Cake?
Amish Neighbor Cake is a community favorite shared among neighbors after big events like weddings or funerals. It’s often a spiced, moist cake made with simple pantry ingredients—much like this amish applesauce cake recipe from scratch. The term “neighbor cake” reflects the strong sense of community and generosity found in Amish culture.
Why do they call it a Bundt cake?
The term “Bundt” refers to the shape of the pan, which creates a ring-shaped cake with a hole in the middle. While not exclusive to Amish baking, many Amish recipes—including amish applesauce cake recipes—are baked in bundt pans because they cook evenly and present beautifully. The pan allows for a tender crumb with crisp edges.
What is a traditional Amish dish?
Traditional Amish meals include hearty, homemade dishes like chicken pot pie, beef stew, and mashed potatoes with gravy. In the dessert category, Shoofly pie, whoopie pies, and amish applesauce cake a moist & spiced classic all hold a special place. These dishes reflect a deep-rooted tradition of simplicity, thrift, and flavor.
Conclusion
There’s something timeless about an amish applesauce cake recipe. Maybe it’s the way it fills your kitchen with warmth and spice. Or how every bite feels like home. It’s not fussy. It’s not showy. But it’s full of soul—just like the women who’ve baked it for generations using nothing more than what was in their pantry.
Whether you’re making it for the first time or the fiftieth, this cake reminds us that the best recipes don’t come from cookbooks—they come from tradition, family, and love.
If you’re looking to expand your Amish baking collection beyond this amish applesauce cake recipe, you might also enjoy these delightfully crisp Amish Sugar Cakes—another simple, sweet treat with old-fashioned charm.
