Grandma’s Applesauce Cake

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min.

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Nov. 02, 2023
This moist applesauce cake recipe is a treasured heirloom passed down from my Grandma Stuit, who cooked for a family of 13 during the Depression. At reunions, it's the first dessert gone...including the crumbs! —Joanie Jager, Lynden, Washington

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup raisins
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg
  • 1-1/2 cups applesauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • Confectioners' sugar, optional

Directions

  1. Place raisins and hot water in a small bowl; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and spices; add to creamed mixture alternately with applesauce and water. Drain raisins; fold into batter with the walnuts.
  3. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 300° for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place pan on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired. Serve warm or cold.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 282 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 237mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.