Easy Applesauce Cake

This might be the lowest-effort cake that still makes people think you tried.

Every ingredient goes into one bowl. Mix it up, pour it into a bundt pan, and 35 minutes later you’ve got a moist, spiced chocolate cake with zero stress.

Applesauce does double duty here, adding moisture and natural sweetness while keeping the crumb incredibly tender.

Cocoa, cinnamon, and cloves give it a warm, almost gingerbread-meets-chocolate vibe that fills the kitchen with the kind of smell that pulls everyone out of their rooms.

Baker’s Tips

• Use unsweetened applesauce. Sweetened versions will throw off the sugar balance and make the cake too sweet.
• Don’t overmix. Once everything is blended smooth, stop. Overmixing develops gluten and makes the cake tough.
• Dust with powdered sugar. This cake is rich enough without frosting. A simple dusting on top is all it needs.