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Vegan Applesauce Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 117 reviews

This Vegan Applesauce Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for any occasion. Made without eggs or dairy, it uses applesauce to keep the cake tender and naturally sweet, spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. Topped with a creamy vegan buttercream frosting and optionally garnished with caramelized apples, this cake is both comforting and indulgent while being entirely plant-based.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups (405g) all-purpose plain flour (spoon and leveled)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice (or ground nutmeg)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 cups (510g) unsweetened applesauce (room temperature)
  • 3/4 cup (170g) dairy-free milk (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup (110g) neutral flavored oil
  • 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice, optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Frosting

  • 1 cup (225g) vegan block butter (room temperature)
  • 3–4 cups (300-400g) powdered sugar / icing sugar (to taste or as needed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons (15-30g) dairy-free milk (or as needed)

Optional Topping

  • 1 batch caramelized apples (as per extra gooey version in the recipe card)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, and salt. Whisk them thoroughly until well combined and free of lumps.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the unsweetened applesauce, dairy-free milk, neutral oil, vinegar or lemon juice if using, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; it’s okay if there are a few lumps, but make sure no dry flour pockets remain. The batter will have a slightly thick consistency.
  4. Pour Batter: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top evenly with a spatula or spoon to create a uniform surface.
  5. Bake Cake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 32 to 38 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Typically, 35 minutes provides a perfectly moist cake.
  6. Cool Cake: Remove the cake pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting, ensuring the frosting does not melt.
  7. Make Frosting: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the vegan block butter until fluffy and light. Gradually add powdered sugar and the vanilla extract, and beat until combined. Adjust the frosting consistency by adding more powdered sugar for firmness or dairy-free milk for softness, beating until smooth.
  8. Decorate Cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the prepared vegan buttercream frosting evenly over the top. Optionally, swirl in caramel from the caramelized apples into the frosting and dot the cake surface with caramelized apple pieces for extra flavor and decoration.
  9. Serve and Store: Cut the cake into squares as desired. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month.

Notes

  • Ensure flour is spooned into the measuring cup and leveled for accurate measurement to avoid a dense cake.
  • Allow applesauce and dairy-free milk to come to room temperature for better batter integration.
  • The caramelized apples add an extra gooey texture and enhanced flavor, making the cake richer and more indulgent.
  • Do not overmix the batter; overmixing can toughen the cake.
  • Using vegan block butter helps achieve a creamy, stable frosting texture ideal for spreading.
  • The cake is moist and tender, so a few moist crumbs on the toothpick during the bake test is normal and preferred over dryness.

Keywords: vegan applesauce cake, plant-based cake, dairy-free dessert, eggless cake, moist cake recipe, spiced applesauce cake, vegan frosting

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/vegan-applesauce-cake-recipe/