Vegan Applesauce Cake Recipe delivers a soft, tender crumb with balanced spice and natural sweetness.
Applesauce keeps the texture moist while reducing oil content, making this cake lighter than traditional versions.
This recipe provides clear instructions plus reliable vegan swaps for consistent results.
If you enjoy fruit-based desserts, you may also like this:Raw Vegan Apple Crumble.
For additional baking technique references, see this detailed spice cake guide from
Allrecipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and moist texture
- Balanced cinnamon spice flavor
- Lower fat thanks to applesauce
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Works as sheet cake, loaf, or muffins
- Easy vegan adaptation
- Freezer-friendly
- Minimal prep time
Ingredients
Regular (Full List)
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- â…› tsp ground ginger
- ½ cup neutral oil (120ml)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (50g)
- 1½ cups unsweetened applesauce (368g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup raisins (optional)
Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp plant milk
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Vegetarian (Swap Only)
No changes required.
Vegan (Swap Only)
- Replace eggs with 2 flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, rest 5 minutes).
- Use plant milk for glaze.
- Ensure sugar is vegan-certified if required.
Directions
Regular (Full Steps)
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch pan.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices in a bowl.
- Mix oil and both sugars until combined.
- Add eggs and beat until smooth.
- Stir in applesauce and vanilla extract.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Mix just until combined.
- Fold in nuts and raisins if using.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and level evenly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before glazing or slicing.
Vegetarian (Swap Only)
No changes required.
Vegan (Swap Only)
- Prepare flax eggs first and allow them to gel fully before adding.
- Avoid overmixing to maintain light texture.
- Allow cake to cool fully before applying glaze.
Prep Time and Nutrition Facts
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 35–40 minutes
Cooling time: 60 minutes
Total time: ~2 hours
Serves: 12
Approximate per serving (without glaze):
270 calories | 4g protein | 9g fat | 44g carbohydrates
How To Serve Vegan Applesauce Cake Recipe
- Serve slightly warm with almond milk
- Dust with powdered sugar
- Pair with chai tea
- Add chopped nuts on top
- Slice into squares for gatherings
- Serve with fresh apple slices
- Drizzle with maple syrup
How To Store Vegan Applesauce Cake Recipe
- Store covered at room temperature up to 3 days
- Refrigerate up to 7 days
- Freeze unfrosted cake tightly wrapped up to 3 months
- Thaw at room temperature before serving
Tips To Make Vegan Applesauce Cake Recipe
- Measure flour using spoon-and-level method
- Do not overmix batter
- Use room-temperature ingredients
- Check oven calibration
- Slightly underbake for better moisture
- Toast spices briefly for deeper flavor
- Let flax mixture thicken fully before mixing
- Cool completely before glazing
Health and Benefits
Applesauce reduces oil usage while maintaining moisture. Cinnamon and cloves provide antioxidant compounds.
Nuts add healthy fats and texture. Using unsweetened applesauce helps manage added sugar levels.
The recipe can be modified with whole wheat pastry flour to increase fiber content.
Variations
- Replace half the flour with whole wheat pastry flour
- Add grated apple for extra texture
- Mix in shredded coconut
- Replace part of sugar with maple syrup
- Turn into muffins (20–25 minutes bake time)
- Add dairy-free chocolate chips
- Bake in loaf pan and extend bake time slightly
FAQs
Can I use homemade applesauce?
Yes, but ensure it is not watery and fully cooled.
Is Vegan Applesauce Cake Recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes. Wrap tightly before freezing.
Why did my cake sink?
It may be underbaked or oven temperature inaccurate.
Can I reduce the sugar?
You can reduce by up to â…“ cup with minimal texture change.
How do I make this gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend with xanthan gum.
Why is my cake dense?
Overmixing or too much flour are common causes.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. Flavor improves the next day.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes. The cake is moist enough to serve plain.
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Vegan Applesauce Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9 × 13-inch pan.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices in a bowl.
- Mix oil and both sugars until combined.
- Add eggs and beat until smooth.
- Stir in applesauce and vanilla extract.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Mix just until combined.
- Fold in nuts and raisins if using.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and level evenly.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before glazing or slicing.