There’s a good chance your grandma had an applesauce cake recipe tucked away in a well-worn cookbook. This one is ours, and let me tell you—it’s a keeper. Moist, tender, spiced just right, and topped with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting that makes people “accidentally” come back for seconds.
What Readers Are Saying
This version was developed and tested in the Spaceships Kitchen, and it has quickly become a family favorite with our readers, too. With hundreds of five-star reviews across social media, it’s a recipe you can bake with confidence knowing it turns out beautifully every time.
⭐ “Tastes like the one my mom used to make. Brought back memories!” – Jayne
⭐ “Made it for Bible study—there wasn’t a crumb left.” – Olivia S.
⭐ “Moist, spiced, perfect. Everyone asked for seconds.” – Kristen
Ingredients You’ll Need For This Apple Cake Recipe
For The Cake:
- ½ cup of milk
- 1 cup of raisins
- 2 cups of flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon of cloves
- ½ cup of butter, softened
- 1 cup of sugar
- ½ cup of brown sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 2 cups of cinnamon applesauce
- 1 cup of walnuts, chopped
For The Frosting:
- 8 ounces of cream cheese
- ½ cup of butter, softened
- 3 cups of powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
Ingredient Substitution
If you can’t find cinnamon applesauce, use plain unsweetened applesauce and then add two extra teaspoons of cinnamon in its place.
Cooking Tips for The Perfect Cake
Soak the raisins in milk before mixing
This trick makes a big difference. The milk hydrates the raisins so they stay plump and juicy while baking, instead of turning chewy or tough. The milk also sneaks a little extra tenderness into the crumb.
Cream butter and sugars thoroughly
This step isn’t just mixing—it’s about creating structure. When the butter and sugars look light and fluffy, you’ve trapped tiny air pockets that help the cake bake up soft instead of heavy.
Don’t overmix once applesauce is added
Applesauce adds moisture, which is great, but too much stirring at this stage can make the cake dense. Stir until just combined and then stop.
Fold in walnuts at the very end
Adding nuts last keeps them evenly distributed and prevents overmixing the batter. Plus, it protects their crunch so they stand out against the soft crumb.
Start with softened cream cheese and butter for frosting
Room temperature cream cheese and butter blend smoothly with powdered sugar, preventing those stubborn lumps that ruin the texture of your icing.
Serving Instructions
- If you want to skip the frosting, you could sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar instead.
- If you want an extra bit of decadence, serve this easy cake with a drizzle of caramel sauce on top.
Storage Instructions
Since the frosting contains cream cheese, we’d recommend keeping the cake in the fridge. It should stay fresh up to four days,
This applesauce cake freezes well, although we would recommend freezing it unfrosted and waiting to add the frosting until you are ready to serve. It will store in a well-wrapped, freezer-safe container for two to three months.
The Final Bite
This applesauce cake isn’t fussy or complicated—it’s the kind of recipe that becomes part of your family’s story. Bake it once and you’ll find yourself making it again and again, whether it’s for a potluck, a birthday, or just because your kitchen deserves to smell amazing.
👉 Save this recipe on Pinterest so you don’t lose it—your future fall self will thank you.
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Applesauce Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup raisins
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups cinnamon applesauce
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a small bowl, pour the milk and place the raisins in the milk. Let them sit while preparing the rest of the cake.
- Prepare a 9×13-inch pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper and spraying with nonstick spray.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars until mixed.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until mixed together.
- Add the dry ingredients slowly to the butter and sugar mixture and beat just until combined.
- Add the applesauce and mix on low just until combined.
- Add the raisins and milk mixture and the walnuts and mix until just combined.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Once the cake has cooled, frost with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and beat on low until the powdered sugar is mostly mixed in.
- Add cream, vanilla, cinnamon and salt and mix on medium speed until all smooth and creamy.
- Once the cake has cooled, use an offset or rubber spatula to frost the top of the cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Video
Notes
- You could also bake this simple recipe in a bundt cake pan, a loaf pan, or make them as muffins!
- If you want to skip the frosting, you could sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar instead.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your frosting.
Nutrition
Comments
Kay says
My grandma made the best I ever had, but didn’t get recipe before she passed. All I know is it had Hershey’s coca in it, no raisins but sometimes nuts. She made them and sent to my two cousins, one in the marines and one in the Air Force. That was when I was 10, I am now 78. Would love to know how she made it.
Layne Kangas says
Awww ♥
Darcy says
I hope you find that recipe but until then, possibly experiment using this as a base recipe? Was it mildly chocolatey or was is a proper chocolate cake?
Darcy says
I just did a search for chocolate applesauce cake. There were a lot of return results. You may want to start with one of those.
Julie says
What if we don’t like raisin would I still use milk
Layne Kangas says
I have never made it without raisins, but I would suggest still using the milk! Enjoy 🙂
Katie says
Fantastic and easy! I made this recipe for a coworker’s birthday and it was a big hit. The cake is delicious and the raisins and walnuts added extra flavor and texture. The cinnamon applesauce kept the cake fresh. My favorite part of this cake is the icing- OH MY WORD! This cinnamon cream cheese was perfect! It was sweet and light with just the right amount of cinnamon. It almost reminded me of cinnamon butter used at steakhouses. I accidentally doubled the vanilla amount in the icing, but it did not affect the outcome. I can’t wait to make this cake again.
Layne Kangas says
YAY! So glad you enjoyed it so much 🙂
Annie Parks says
I’ve made this three times for gatherings and it’s been a huge hit every time!Thank you for posting this. I’m going to make again today just for my family now. 😋
Cathy says
I am dying to try this recipe, but can’t get the cinnamon applesauce here. I can use plain applesauce, but should I increase the amount of cinnamon? And if so, how much extra cinnamon should I add to the batter? Anxiously waiting for your reply. Thank you so much.
Layne Kangas says
I would put in two teaspoons to start – you might want three, but taste it and see what you think! 🙂 Enjoy!
Theresa O'Daniel says
I made this for myself for Mother’s Day. It is so good. I did decrease the powdered sugar using only 2 cups, it turned out perfect for my tastes. This reminds me so much that my mom used to make when I was little. Thank you for posting this.
Laurie says
Can you use honey instead of granulated sugar?
Layne Kangas says
I’m sure you could but I haven’t tried it that way so I can’t say for sure how it would turn out or exactly how much you would need to add! Let me know if you try it, enjoy! 🙂
Kimberly Kerr says
WE HAVE NUT ALLERGIES HERE CAN I OMIT THE WALNUTS AND WILL STILL WORK?
Layne Kangas says
Yes, you can 🙂 Enjoy!!
Beth says
If I leave out the raisins and walnuts do I need to make any adjustments to the other ingredients?
Marsha J Opalk says
I made this cake and surprised my neighbors while we were all at home during the pandemic. The cake was a big hit and was so delicious, including the frosting. Tomorrow we are meeting a couple outdoors and I’m bringing the cake.I am looking forward to baking it again. I printed off another copy as I know my friend will want it. Thank you! By the way, I love your format for the recipes and the pictures.
Layne Kangas says
Aww, thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Rose says
I grew up having Apple sauce cake Always was one of my favorites from my Mom’s recipes loved the white frosting made from evaporated milk well I tried your Apple sauce cake and it was Phenomenal I served it on Sunday today is Wednesday its gone.my family loved it
Rhona says
This cake is fabulous! I used pecans as that is what I had on hand.
Dawn Hare says
The closest to cake my mother made. Delicious,so moist. Love it. Thank you.
Joan says
I made this from my homemade applesauce. I followed exactly the recipe something I rarely do.
I should have taken a picture but i can say it is wonderful.
I shared with my brother and sister in law and he raved. This is a keeper. Thank you for sharing.
Donna says
I made this cake a couple of days ago and it is delicious. There is still some left and it is still so moist!
Pat Hagan says
Absolutely delicious! Very moist and spicy. I have found my new favourite cake recipe!
Donna says
This was wonderful! Definitely one I will make again. Moist and flavorful. I wouldn’t change a thing!
Dottie says
Very moist but does not work for muffins. They just fall apart. Will make as a snacking cake next time around. Love the mixture of spices.
Jaimie says
Best, moist cake ever! And that frosting! I could just eat the frosting by itself it’s so delicious! My husband raved about it. I added coconut, and it was absolutely amazing!thank you for my new go to cake recipe!
Hanne says
What about if you don’t have cinnamon applesauce and only regular? How would you modify the recipe/spice?
Layne Kangas says
I would add two teaspoons of cinnamon if you’re using plain applesauce. Enjoy!
KK says
This cake was flavorful, moist, aromatic, and disappeared quickly. Instead of the cream cheese frosting suggested, I chose to make a Penuche frosting which was a great pairing. I will definitely make again.
Meredith says
Will this recipe still work if you omit the raisins and walnuts? Would you still fold in the milk alone? Thank you!
Layne Kangas says
I’ve never tried it without them so I am not sure how it would work to leave them out! If you try it, please let me know.
Dianne Gravel says
So delicious
Sharon Clarke says
This looks wonderful! Would it work to make it as a 2-tiered cake, using round pans? I want to make it as a birthday cake. Thanks!
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Sharon – I haven’t tried that so I’m not sure how well it would hold up!
Angela says
DELICIOUS!! I made it today.
Mark says
Fabulous cake. The cinnamon cream cheese icing really put it over the top.
Ellen Johnson says
I didn’t have raisins so I used dried cranberries and it was yummy. No frosting but it is good plain.
Sarah says
What a great recipe! I might try skipping the caramel sauce and adding shredded zucchini or carrots. Yummy!
Roxanne says
Delicious! Such a great way to use up applesauce!
The batter seemed a bit ‘loose’ but the cake turned out perfectly.
Will make again. Thank you for this recipe!
Peg says
Easy to make and delicious.
Dixie Blizzard says
Best applesauce cake & so easy to make!
George says
This cake is perfect. Super moist,great flavor. The plump raisins and walnuts are wonderful. I chose a thin layer of cream cheese frosting but you could serve it on its own or a dollop of whipped cream. Allspice instead of cloves was my only minor change. Make this cake!
Kristen Brenneman says
This recipe is a big hit in our family! I made it today for his birthday. It’s his favorite!
Barbara Chapman says
I made this for a birthday and Bible study. Everyone loved it. The cake is moist. Love the crunch of the nuts, creamy frosting, and spice.
Vanessa McIntyre says
This cake was a huge hit with my family! Moist and delicious!
Fara Bridges says
Delicious cake. Great flavor and easy to make. Definitely a recipe I will keep making.
Mary says
Was a great hit with friends & family. Almost like what my mom use to make!!!