Wide banner of a dark-brown Amish applesauce bundt cake on a wooden board in a sunlit home kitchen, with a slice removed and cinnamon sticks and apples nearby

The Best Amish Applesauce Cake (Incredibly Moist and Easy)

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There’s something deeply comforting about the smell of apples and spices baking in the oven. For me, this Amish applesauce cake brings back memories of fall afternoons in my grandmother’s warm kitchen. It was her go-to treat for every family gathering, and now, it’s the most requested cake in my house. The best part? It’s simple, uses everyday ingredients, and tastes even better the next day.

Deep caramel-brown Amish applesauce bundt cake on a worn wooden table, steam rising, sunlight through a kitchen window, chipped mug and tea towel beside it, small crumbs scattered.

Some folks even call this an Amish apple cake, especially when fresh apples are added to the batter. No matter the name, it’s a classic worth keeping.

This recipe stands out because it’s incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and easy enough for beginner bakers. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just because you want a cozy dessert, this cake delivers every time.

Why This is the Only Applesauce Cake You’ll Ever Need

Hand holding a slice of mahogany-brown applesauce cake showing moist crumb with walnut bits and apple flecks, powdered sugar smudge on the edge of the plate

Moist and Tender Texture

Applesauce gives this cake its signature soft texture. It keeps the crumb moist for days, so the cake tastes just as good on day three as it does fresh from the oven.

Warm and Cozy Spice Flavor

The mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves adds that classic spice warmth. Each bite tastes like fall and brings a comforting, home-baked feel.

Simple and Accessible

You won’t need any hard-to-find ingredients or special tools. Everything comes from basic pantry items, and the method is straightforward, making it perfect even if you’re short on time or new to baking.

Versatile for Any Occasion

Serve it as a dessert, enjoy it with a cup of coffee, or even sneak a slice for breakfast. It fits any moment where you want something sweet and satisfying.

The Heritage of Amish Applesauce Cake

Overhead view of a mason jar of homemade applesauce, butter-stained recipe card, and whole apples on a linen cloth with spice dust on a table

This cake has deep roots in Amish tradition. It was born from a way of life focused on simplicity, practicality, and avoiding waste. Amish families often canned applesauce to preserve fruit through the winter, and turning it into a moist, spiced cake was a delicious way to use what they had.

The ingredients reflect their values. They rely on what’s grown nearby and what’s already in the pantry. There’s no fluff or fuss, just straightforward baking with real, wholesome food.

More than just a dessert, this cake is often shared at community meals and family gatherings. It’s part of their culture of hospitality, where offering food is a way to show care and bring people together. Every slice carries a bit of that warmth and generosity.

Understanding the Ingredients

Understanding why each ingredient matters can help you bake a better cake every time. Here’s a closer look at the essentials.

The Applesauce

Use unsweetened applesauce to keep the sweetness balanced and let the apple flavor come through. If you only have sweetened, reduce the sugar in the recipe slightly to avoid making it too sweet. Applesauce adds moisture and fiber, which allows you to use less fat while keeping the cake soft and tender.

The Spices

Cinnamon brings warmth, nutmeg adds depth, and cloves give a slightly bold edge. Together, they create that cozy, spiced flavor that defines this cake. You can adjust the amounts to match your taste, but these three are the foundation.

The Fats

Butter adds rich flavor and helps create a soft crumb. Oil makes the cake extra moist. Shortening results in a more tender texture. You can use one or a mix, depending on what you have and your texture preference.

The Leavening and Liquids

Baking soda works with acidic ingredients like applesauce and buttermilk to lift the cake. It creates a light, fluffy texture. Milk or buttermilk helps keep the batter smooth and adds extra moisture. The balance of wet and dry ingredients is key to getting the right texture without making the cake too dense or crumbly.

Flat-lay on dark wooden table of spilled flour from a paper bag, pottery bowls of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, stick of butter on parchment, cracked eggshells, glass milk bottle, and smudged recipe card.

Ingredients for Amish Applesauce Cake

  • 1 stick (½ cup) butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1 cup raisins (optional)

Watch How to Make This Amish Applesauce Cake

You can watch this quick video before continuing with the recipe. Note: The video uses water, but I prefer milk for a richer and more moist cake.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple instructions for a foolproof bake every time.

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a bundt pan or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
  • Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
  • Add the sugars and beat on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Overhead shot of a mixing bowl with perfectly creamed butter and sugars showing paddle marks, on a dark wooden countertop with stray sugar crystals and a tea towel.
  • Beat in the egg and yolk one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  • Stir in the applesauce and milk. Blend until smooth and well combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
  • Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until everything is incorporated.
  • Stir in the chopped nuts and raisins. Do not overmix. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour and can make the cake tough.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Warm brown cake batter being poured from a bowl into a greased bundt pan, spatula scraping bowl, soft afternoon light in a home kitchen.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few dry crumbs. For a 9 x 13 inch cake, bake about 40 minutes. For a bundt cake, bake around 55 minutes.
  • Let the cake cool completely in the pan before serving. You can dust it with powdered sugar or top it with your favorite frosting.
Rich dark-brown applesauce bundt cake on a wire rack, slightly crackled crust, crumbs on rack, steam rising, child’s hand reaching in, window backlighting.

The Best Frostings for Applesauce Cake

Topping this cake takes it from simple to unforgettable. Here are a few classic options that pair perfectly with the warm spice flavor.

Overhead shot of cream-cheese frosting being spread over a mahogany-brown applesauce cake with an offset spatula, swirl texture, frosting bowl nearby, powdered sugar dust.

Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

This smooth and tangy topping is a timeless match for applesauce cake.

Ingredients
1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar gradually, mixing until fluffy. Stir in the vanilla and spread evenly over the cooled cake.

Brown Butter Icing

This rich, nutty glaze adds a deep caramel flavor that melts into the cake.

Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
Melt the butter in a pan and cook until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and immediately whisk in the sugar, milk, and vanilla. Spread quickly as it sets fast.

Simple Caramel or Powdered Sugar Glaze

For those who prefer a lighter touch, these are easy and tasty choices.

Caramel Glaze
Melt ¼ cup butter with ½ cup brown sugar and 2 tablespoons milk. Simmer for one minute, then remove from heat and whisk in ½ cup powdered sugar until smooth.

Powdered Sugar Drizzle
Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or lemon juice until you reach a pourable consistency. Drizzle over the cooled cake.

Easy Recipe Variations for Amish Apple Cake

This cake is flexible and easy to customize. Try these simple changes to suit your taste or use what you have on hand.

Nuts

Add toasted walnuts or pecans for a satisfying crunch. Toasting them first boosts their flavor and adds a bit of texture contrast.

Dried Fruit

Raisins are a traditional choice, but dried cranberries can add a tart twist that balances the sweetness.

Flour Alternatives

Swap part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture. It gives the cake a bit more bite and adds fiber without making it dense.

Fresh Apple Option

For added texture and apple flavor, fold in 1 cup of finely chopped or shredded fresh apples along with the nuts and raisins. Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance against the sweetness.

Mid-shot of Granny Smith apple pieces being folded into cake batter with a wooden spoon, apple peelings and cores on cutting board, kitchen timer in background.

How to Store and Reheat Amish Applesauce Cake

Keep your applesauce cake fresh and delicious with these simple storage tips.

Hands placing dark-brown cake slices into a reusable container with crumbs on counter, writing date label on lid, fridge door open behind, evening kitchen light.

Room Temperature

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three to five days. Make sure it’s fully cooled before sealing to avoid moisture buildup.

Refrigerator

For longer freshness, place the cake in a covered container in the fridge. It will stay good for about a week. Let slices come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Freezing

Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to three months. To thaw, leave slices at room temperature or warm them gently in the microwave.

Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe Card

Wide banner of a dark-brown Amish applesauce bundt cake on a wooden board in a sunlit home kitchen, with a slice removed and cinnamon sticks and apples nearby

The Best Amish Applesauce Cake (Moist and Easy)

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes

A moist, perfectly spiced Amish applesauce cake made from scratch with pantry staples. Includes frosting options and storage tips.

Ingredients

  • 1 stick (½ cup) butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1 cup raisins (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a bundt pan or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
  • Cream the butter until smooth.
  • Add the sugars and beat on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in the egg and yolk one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  • Stir in the applesauce and milk until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed just until combined.
  • Stir in the chopped nuts and raisins. Do not overmix. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake for 40 minutes (9 x 13 pan) or 55 minutes (bundt pan) until a toothpick comes out with a few dry crumbs.
  • Let the cake cool completely before serving. Dust with powdered sugar or frost as desired.

    • Notes

  • You can substitute part of the flour with whole wheat for a heartier texture.
  • Fresh Apple Option: Add 1 cup of finely chopped apples along with the nuts for more apple flavor.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes (9x13 pan) or 55 minutes (bundt pan)

    • Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 Slice
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 13gCarbohydrates: 48gSugar: 26gProtein: 3g

    Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients used and serving size. Always consult with a qualified nutritionist or healthcare provider for accurate dietary advice.

    © sweetcakerecipe
    Cuisine: American-Amich / Category: Classic Cakes

    Amish Applesauce Cake: Frequently Asked Questions

    Why You’ll Love This Amish Applesauce Cake

    This Amish applesauce cake is more than just a recipe. It’s a link to tradition, comfort, and simple home baking. With its rich spice flavor, soft texture, and easy method, it’s a cake you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you serve it plain, glazed, or topped with a creamy frosting, it always brings warmth to the table.

    Every family has their own spin on a classic like this. Did you add a special ingredient or does this cake bring back a favorite memory? Share your story in the comments below, I’d love to hear it!

    More Must-Try Bundt Cake Recipes from My Kitchen

    Love baking bundt cakes as much as I do? Don’t stop at this Amish applesauce classic, check out some of my other favorite bundt cake recipes that are just as moist, flavorful, and easy to make. Try the rich and velvety Classic Southern Pound Cake with Cream Cheese, or enjoy the spiced perfection of my Moist Carrot Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. For something bright and zesty, the 7UP Pound Cake never disappoints. Feeling indulgent? The Million Dollar Pound Cake is pure decadence. And if you want bite-sized perfection, these Mini Bundt Cakes are perfect for any occasion. Happy baking!