Easy Applesauce Spice Cake
Looking for an easy fall cake that tastes like you spent much more time in the kitchen than you actually did?
This Easy Applesauce Spice Cake starts with a box of spice cake mix and uses applesauce in place of the oil. Add eggs and water, bake it in a Bundt pan, and finish it with a simple cinnamon icing.
That’s it!
The result is a tender, moist cake with warm spice flavor and a light apple flavor that’s perfect for fall.
And because this applesauce spice cake with cake mix requires only a handful of ingredients, it’s one of those recipes you can pull together when you need a quick dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Applesauce Spice Cake
There are plenty of reasons this easy cake has become a favorite.
It’s incredibly easy.
You’re starting with a boxed spice cake mix, so most of the work is already done for you.
It uses simple ingredients.
You only need a spice cake mix, applesauce, water and eggs for the cake.
The applesauce adds moisture.
Replacing the oil called for on the cake mix with applesauce gives the cake a tender texture along with a subtle apple flavor.
It tastes like fall.
The warm spices in the cake mix pair beautifully with the applesauce.
The cinnamon icing makes it extra special.
A quick powdered sugar and cinnamon glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness.
Why Use Applesauce in Cake Mix?
Have you ever substituted the oil in the mix cake directions with applesauce? It’s a great way to add a little apple flavor, but it’s also a healthier option. So for this fall cake recipe, you are basically just following the direction on your spice cake mix, but instead of oil, you are using applesauce. I love to use no sugar added, unsweetened applesauce for cake mixes. Using a spice cake mix and substituting oil with applesauce not only simplifies the process but also adds a moist, apple-infused twist to the classic spice cake. Let’s dive into how you can whip up this delicious treat in no time!
Applesauce Spice Cake Ingredients
- cake mix
- water
- applesauce
- eggs
How to Make Applesauce Spice Cake
This Applesauce Spice Cake is so easy to make! As you can see above this cake only takes a few ingredients.
Mixing the Batter:
In a large bowl, add the spice cake mix. I love spice cake mixes because they have so many great warm spice flavors: cloves, nutmeg, etc.
Then add the water, applesauce, and eggs. Mix the batter together until smooth. You can use an electric mixer if you like, but I usually just mix it with a wooden spoon.
Baking:
Grease a bundt cake pan with nonstick spray or butter and pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
After baking, check for doneness with a toothpick, and then let it cool a little bit. Then you can carefully place the Applesauce Spice Cake on a beautiful stand. When it’s room temperature you can add the frosting.
Cooling and Serving:
The cinnamon frosting is a simple mixture of powder sugar, cinnamon, and milk. A cinnamon cream cheese frosting would be delicious too.
Topped with an easy cinnamon icing drizzle, this cake is perfect for a party!
Easy Applesauce Spice Cake
Equipment
- bundt pan
- large mixing bowl
Ingredients
Applesauce Spice Cake
- 1 spice cake mix I used Betty Crocker
- 1 cup water or water as directed on your cake mix
- ½ cup applesauce or whatever amount of oil is on your cake mix
- 3 eggs or eggs as directed on your cake mix
Cinnamon Icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
Applesauce Spice Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In a bowl, add the spice cake mix and the water.
- Add the applesauce to the bowl.
- Add the eggs.
- Mix with a hand mixer on low speed for about 2 minutes, until combined.
- Pour into a greased bundt pan and bake for about 30 minutes.
Tips for Success:
- Applesauce Substitute: Using applesauce instead of oil not only reduces the fat content but also adds natural sweetness and moisture to the cake. It’s a healthier option without compromising on taste.
- Enhance the Flavor: Feel free to add a dash of ground cinnamon and nutmeg to intensify the warm, spicy flavors of the cake. These spices complement the apple flavor beautifully.
- Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 1 month.
- Nuts: Add your favorite nuts, pecans or chopped walnuts, to the batter and/or top of the cake.
If you love Applesauce Spice Cake…
Can I Add Apples to Applesauce Spice Cake?
Absolutely!
The applesauce gives the cake a subtle apple flavor, but you can add small pieces of apple if you’d like more apple flavor and texture.
A finely diced apple would work especially well.
I would keep the pieces relatively small so they distribute throughout the cake instead of sinking to the bottom.
Can I Add Nuts?
Yes!
Chopped pecans or walnuts would both be delicious in this cake.
You can stir them into the batter or sprinkle them over the icing.
Pecans would be especially delicious with the warm cinnamon and spice flavors.
Easy Variations
This cake is delicious as written, but there are several easy ways to change it up.
Add Extra Cinnamon
If you really love cinnamon, add a little extra ground cinnamon to the cake batter.
Add Nutmeg
A small amount of nutmeg can emphasize the warm spice flavor.
Add Chopped Apples
For a stronger apple flavor, fold finely diced apples into the batter.
Add Pecans or Walnuts
Chopped nuts add a little crunch and pair beautifully with apples and warm spices.
Try Cream Cheese Frosting
Instead of the simple cinnamon icing, top the cooled cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
That would turn this easy cake into a dessert that would be right at home on a Thanksgiving dessert table.
What Kind of Applesauce Should I Use?
I recommend using unsweetened applesauce for this recipe.
It gives you the apple flavor and moisture without adding unnecessary sweetness.
You can use store-bought applesauce or homemade applesauce.
Smooth applesauce will give you a more uniform cake, while chunky applesauce can add a little more texture.
When to Serve Applesauce Spice Cake
This easy cake is perfect for so many occasions.
Serve it for:
- Thanksgiving
- Halloween parties
- Sunday dinner
- Afternoon coffee
- A weeknight dessert
- Book club
- Potlucks
- Holiday brunch
- A casual birthday celebration
Because it’s so easy to make, you don’t need a special occasion to bake it.
More Easy Fall Cake Recipes
If you love easy fall desserts, you might also enjoy some of my other simple cake recipes.
Try my Pumpkin Spice Poke Cake, Pumpkin Apple Muffins, Spiced Apple Bread, or Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel.
They’re all great options when you’re craving those cozy fall flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.
Easy Applesauce Spice Cake
This applesauce spice cake with cake mix is proof that an easy shortcut can still make a delicious dessert.
A box of spice cake mix, applesauce, eggs and water come together to create a tender cake with warm fall spices and just a hint of apple flavor.
Then the simple cinnamon icing takes it over the top.
If you’re looking for an easy fall cake recipe, this one is definitely worth adding to your baking list.
And if you have a box of spice cake mix sitting in your pantry, you may already have almost everything you need!
Applesauce spice cake sounds delicious and perfect for fall! Can’t wait to try this cozy recipe!
normally when I use a cake mix of any kind, I use milk in place of the water but in this mixture I will be using apple juice. Finely diced OR grated apple adding to the mixture.
For the icing I will use 1/2 milk and 1/2 Pure Maple Syrup.
Now this is type of cake I like having for my birthday, of which is coming up a week from today.
Thanks 4 sharing this easy, delightful recipe.
This applesauce spice cake looks incredibly moist and flavorful perfect for cozy evenings or fall gatherings. I love how simple the ingredients are, yet it delivers such comforting, nostalgic flavor.
Applesauce spice cake sounds delicious and perfect for fall! Can’t wait to try this cozy recipe!
So easy and delicious. I’ve made it twice and will make it again and again!
Tasty… Very simple, fast and delicious. I followed your recipe and then I had a great meal. I put in a lot of egg, but the dish still retains its delicious taste. Thank you for the useful article.