A deeply moist and warmly spiced old-fashioned cake made with simple pantry staples. The applesauce keeps every bite tender and soft, while cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves provide balanced warmth. Bakes in a 9x13 pan with no complicated technique required.
Ingredients
Scale:
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cloves
½ tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Mix in the applesauce and vanilla extract. The batter may look slightly curdled at this stage — that is normal.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
Let the batter rest for 10 minutes before pouring it into the pan.
Pour the rested batter into your greased 9x13 dish and bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving.
