Applesauce Snack Cake
Submitted by Rmanda
Applesauce snack cake starts with a box cake mix boosted with applesauce, warm spices, raisins, and nuts for a moist, spiced sheet cake. A semi-homemade shortcut that tastes fully from scratch.
YIELD
1 cakePREP
15 minCOOK
45 minREADY
1 hrsA box cake mix transformed into a warmly spiced applesauce snack cake with just a few additions. Cinnamon, allspice, and cloves folded in with ¾ cup of applesauce, plus raisins and chopped nuts, create a cake that tastes like it came from a vintage recipe box, not a package.
The applesauce replaces most of the liquid the cake mix would normally call for, adding fruit sweetness, moisture, and a denser, more snack-cake texture than a standard fluffy boxed cake. It also means the cake stays moist for days without drying out.
Three warm spices turn a plain cake mix into something that smells like fall baking. The cinnamon is the dominant note, allspice adds depth, and just ⅛ teaspoon of cloves provides a sharp, peppery edge that keeps the spice profile interesting.
No mixer needed. Everything stirs together with a fork in the pan, which makes this a true snack cake: casual, unfussy, and meant to be eaten straight from the pan.
Chef Tips
- Stir until smooth but don’t overwork the batter. Overmixed cake mix gets tough.
- Bake in an ungreased pan. The batter needs to grip the sides as it rises.
- Test at 35 minutes. The applesauce adds moisture, so timing varies. A clean toothpick means it’s done.
- No frosting needed. This is a snack cake. Dust with powdered sugar if you want, or eat plain.
Variations
- Cream cheese frosting: Top with cream cheese frosting for a more dressed-up dessert.
- Pumpkin version: Replace applesauce with canned pumpkin puree and add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg.
- Chocolate chip: Fold in ½ cup mini chocolate chips with the nuts and raisins for a sweeter, more indulgent cake.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 325℉ (160℃).
Pour cake mix into an ungreased 8 or 9 inch square baking pan; set aside.
In a small bowl combine egg, oil, applesauce, cinnamon, allspice and cloves, beating with a fork to blend.
Stir into cake mix until smooth and blended.
Stir in nuts and raisins.
Bake 35 to 45 minutes, until wooden pick inserted in center, comes out clean.
Cool on rack.
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