Applesauce Cake
This spiced sheet cake is made with applesauce, soaked raisins, and chopped walnuts, then baked in a 13x9 pan until set.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup raisins 110g
- 1 cup hot water for soaking, 240ml
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 100g
- 2 cups granulated sugar 400g
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 300g
- 2 teaspoons baking soda 12g
- 1/2 teaspoon salt 3g
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce 360ml
- 1/2 cup water 120ml
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 60g
- 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or a thin layer of shortening.
- Place the raisins in a small bowl and pour the 1 cup (240ml) of hot water over them. Set the bowl aside to let the raisins soak.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the egg to the creamed sugar mixture and beat until well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the creamed shortening mixture. Alternate adding the dry ingredients with the applesauce and the 1/2 cup (120ml) of water, mixing gently after each addition.
- Drain the soaked raisins. Fold the drained raisins and chopped walnuts into the cake batter using a rubber spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) to ensure the egg is fully cooked.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool. Dust the top with confectioners' sugar before slicing and serving.
Notes
For food safety, baked goods containing eggs should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Soaking the raisins prevents them from drawing moisture out of the cake batter while it bakes.
You can use sweetened applesauce if that is what you have on hand, but the resulting cake will be slightly sweeter.