Here is an easy, flavorful recipe for homemade applesauce cake. The cake highlights real apple flavor and is finished with a silky white chocolate ganache for a rich, memorable dessert.

Applesauce cake is perfect whenever you have extra apples. It’s ideal for cozy gatherings or as a seasonal treat. If you enjoy rustic fruit desserts, this cake pairs well with classics like apple crisp or a simple galette.

Applesauce Cake Recipe

This applesauce cake comes together easily. A short video demonstrates each step from cooking the apples to finishing the ganache, and the process is straightforward and quick.

Why You’ll Love This Applesauce Cake Recipe

Simple and satisfying. If you use store-bought applesauce, the recipe is even faster. Making your own applesauce is easy and boosts the fresh apple flavor.

White chocolate ganache. A smooth white ganache complements the warm spice and apple notes beautifully.

Great for sharing. This cake is rich and serves well at family dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.

Comforting and seasonal. With cinnamon and apples, it brings the flavors of autumn to the table.

Ingredients to Use

This recipe breaks into four sections: applesauce, dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and ganache.

Applesauce

• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and cubed
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup applesauce (from the cooked apples)
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup neutral oil
• ¼ cup milk or non-dairy substitute
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• ¼ cup raisins (optional)

White Ganache

• 1½ cups whipping cream
• 1 cup white chocolate, chopped

Equipment Needed for Applesauce Cake

Essential tools:

• Large mixing bowl
• 8×8-inch cake pan (or similar)
• Saucepan
• Mixing spoon or spatula

Helpful but optional:

• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Blender or food processor for making applesauce
• Apple peeler/corer
• Wire rack for cooling

How to Make Applesauce Cake

The recipe flows in clear steps: make applesauce, mix dry ingredients, combine wet ingredients, fold together, bake, and finish with ganache.

1. Make the applesauce: Peel and cube the apples, then blend until smooth. Transfer to a saucepan, add a pinch of salt, sugar, and cinnamon, and cook over low heat until the mixture thickens into applesauce. Let cool and measure 1 cup for the batter.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.

3. In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

4. In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, eggs, sugar, vanilla, oil, and milk. Mix until smooth, then add the dry ingredients in three additions, folding gently until just combined.

5. Fold in walnuts and raisins if using. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. While the cake bakes, make the ganache: heat the whipping cream until hot but not boiling, then pour over the chopped white chocolate. Stir until fully melted and smooth. Let cool slightly.

7. When the cake comes out of the oven, let it cool briefly, then pour the ganache over the top. Allow the ganache to set at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, then chill or serve as desired.

Garnish with a dusting of ground cinnamon and, if you like, score lines with a cake spatula before serving.

If you try this recipe, please share your experience in the comments.

Common Questions About Applesauce Cake

Answers to frequently asked questions about this gluten-free applesauce cake.

What kind of apples should I use?

Any baking apple you have will work. Tart apples like Granny Smith or Northern Spy make a bright, flavorful applesauce, but Gala, Macintosh, or Pink Lady are fine too. Use what you have on hand.

Serve warm or cold?

This cake is delicious both warm and chilled. Let the ganache set before serving. Warm slices are comforting; chilled slices hold together nicely for packing or serving later.

Can applesauce replace oil in a cake mix?

Applesauce can sometimes replace part of the oil in cakes, but this recipe already balances applesauce with oil for texture and moisture. If adapting a boxed mix, experiment by replacing some oil with applesauce and adjust as needed.

What spices work well?

Cinnamon is the primary spice here. You can also add a pinch of ground cloves, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice for more depth.

Substitutions?

Swap milk for oat, almond, or soy milk. Omit walnuts or raisins if you prefer. If you don’t want ganache, cream cheese frosting is a delicious alternative.

Are walnuts required?

No. Nuts are optional and can be left out for a nut-free version.

Yield: 9 Servings

Applesauce Cake Recipe

This moist applesauce cake is topped with a smooth white chocolate ganache. Optionally add walnuts and raisins for extra texture and flavor.

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
30 minutes

Ingredients

Applesauce:

• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and cubed
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup applesauce
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup neutral oil
• ¼ cup milk
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• ¼ cup raisins (optional)

White Ganache:

• 1½ cup whipping cream
• 1 cup white chocolate, chopped
• Ground cinnamon for topping

Instructions

1. Blend the cubed apples until smooth. Pour into a saucepan and simmer over low heat. Bring to a gentle boil, add sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, and cook until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and cool; measure 1 cup for the cake.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
3. Whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the applesauce, eggs, sugar, vanilla, oil, and milk until smooth. Add the dry ingredients in three additions, folding gently until combined.
5. Fold in raisins and chopped walnuts if using.
6. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. For the ganache: heat the cream until hot, pour over the chopped white chocolate, and stir until smooth. Let cool slightly.
8. When the cake is slightly cooled, pour the ganache over the top and allow it to set for 20–30 minutes at room temperature.
9. Decorate by scoring the ganache with a spatula and dusting with ground cinnamon before serving.

Notes

You can substitute oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk for the milk in this recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 404Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 250mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 3gSugar: 39gProtein: 5g

This nutrition info is based on the ingredients and brands used. It may not be 100% accurate—check labels if you need exact values.