Classic Applesauce Coffee Cake Recipes

Are you a fan of indulging in delicious, moist coffee cakes with a hint of sweetness? If so, you’re in for a treat! In this article, we will explore classic applesauce coffee cake recipes that are bound to satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these recipes are easy to follow and yield fantastic results. So, grab your apron, preheat the oven, and let’s get baking!

Why Applesauce in Coffee Cake?

Before we dive into the recipes, you might be wondering why applesauce is a key ingredient in these coffee cake recipes. Well, applesauce serves multiple purposes in baking, especially in coffee cakes. It adds natural sweetness, moisture, and tenderness to the cake while reducing the amount of oil or butter needed. Additionally, applesauce lends a subtle apple flavor that pairs perfectly with the warm spices often found in coffee cakes.

Recipe 1: Moist Applesauce Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the applesauce. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe 2: Streusel-Topped Applesauce Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

For the streusel topping:
– ½ cup all-purpose flour
– ¼ cup packed brown sugar
– ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the cake:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
– ½ teaspoon baking soda
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
– ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan.
2. To make the streusel topping, in a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold cubed butter and using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, mix until crumbs form. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the applesauce. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
7. Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
8. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter.
9. Add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the streusel.
10. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe 3: Gluten-Free Applesauce Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour blend
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the applesauce. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy Your Homemade Applesauce Coffee Cake!

Now that you have three delightful recipes for classic applesauce coffee cake, it’s time to put your baking skills to the test. These moist and flavorful cakes are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful dessert. Serve them warm or at room temperature, and don’t forget to share with family and friends. Happy baking!

FAQ

1. Why is applesauce used in coffee cake recipes?

Applesauce is used in coffee cake recipes because it adds natural sweetness, moisture, and tenderness to the cake while reducing the amount of oil or butter needed. It also adds a subtle apple flavor that pairs well with the warm spices often found in coffee cakes.

2. What is the first recipe for a classic applesauce coffee cake?

The first recipe is for a Moist Applesauce Coffee Cake. It includes ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and unsweetened applesauce.

3. How do you make the Moist Applesauce Coffee Cake?

To make the Moist Applesauce Coffee Cake, you need to preheat the oven and grease a round cake pan. Then, whisk together the dry ingredients in one bowl and cream the butter and sugar in another bowl. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract before gradually adding the dry ingredients and applesauce to the wet mixture. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. What is the second recipe for a classic applesauce coffee cake?

The second recipe is for a Streusel-Topped Applesauce Coffee Cake. It includes ingredients like all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, unsalted butter for the streusel topping, and all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and unsweetened applesauce for the cake.