Easy Applesauce Cake

This easy applesauce cake mixes right in the pan with no bowls needed: just 10 minutes prep for a moist, cinnamon-spiced cake! Perfect for busy bakers, and works with powdered sugar or cream cheese frosting.

Over the years I’ve created dozens of cake recipes, and this one consistently gets rave reviews: my favorite easy applesauce cake! The genius lies in mixing everything directly in the baking pan, which means you can have a tender, spice-scented cake in the oven in 15 minutes.

The flavor secret isn’t just the applesauce, though that keeps it incredibly moist and fluffy. It’s the combination of Greek yogurt, olive oil, and cozy spices in that brilliant one-pan mixing method!

Why this applesauce cake recipe works so well

I absolutely love this moist, spice-scented one you can whip up right in the baking dish. I created this applesauce cake recipe inspired by the cookbook Prep: The Essential College Cookbook by my author friend Katie Sullivan Morford. It’s gone on to become a favorite in my family! Here’s why:

It’s beyond easy to make. No mixing bowls required! You’ll mix everything in the cake pan.
It’s got big cozy flavor. This cake features olive oil, Greek yogurt, and applesauce to keep the cake moist. With such simple ingredients, you’d expect the flavor to be overly simple too. But it’s got the perfect amount of sweetness, aroma of cinnamon, and tangy fruitiness from the applesauce.
It works for any season. While applesauce cake has a bit of a fall vibe, you can make it anytime.

Essential ingredients

Applesauce: I like to use unsweetened applesauce here. Homemade applesauce is not required, but it would be even more delicious!
Brown Sugar: I specifically use light brown sugar because it adds molasses notes without overpowering the apple flavor, and keeps a nice light brown color.
Greek Yogurt: Along with applesauce is what gives the cake its moist texture. I’ve found that full-fat Greek yogurt works best, but low-fat will work in a pinch.
Olive Oil: Using olive oil instead of butter creates a more tender crumb and keeps the cake moist for days. I use a mild olive oil (look for containers marked “mild taste”, but anything works).
Cinnamon: I’m generous with cinnamon in this recipe because it pairs so well with the applesauce. If you love cozy spices, you could add ½ tsp each of ground ginger, allspice and cloves.

My one-pan mixing method

The beauty of this applesauce cake lies in its simplicity. You can literally mix everything right in the buttered baking dish, which eliminates cleanup.

Start by buttering your pan thoroughly. Combine all dry ingredients in the pan first, using a fork to break up any brown sugar clumps. The key is making that well in the center for the wet ingredients.

I crack the egg into the well, then I add the oil, yogurt, applesauce, and vanilla all at once. The mixing happens quickly: I use a fork and work from the center outward until just combined.

Pro Tip: Don’t overmix! Stop as soon as the flour disappears. A few lumps are fine and won’t affect the cake.

Topping ideas

Now of course, if you’d like you can slather this applesauce cake with icing. But to keep it easy and light, we like to use a light dusting of powdered sugar instead of icing. Here are a few topping options:

Powered sugar (easiest): Top with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Glaze icing (festive): Make a double recipe of Powdered Sugar Icing and pour it over the top.
Maple glaze (fun): Try this easy Maple Glaze, which adds loads of cozy flavor!
Cream cheese icing (decadent): Make our Cream Cheese Frosting and slather it over the top.

Storage and make-ahead tips

Store applesauce cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. You can freeze for up to 3 months (thaw at room temperature).

Make-Ahead Tip: I often make this cake in the morning and serve it that evening. It tastes even better after sitting for a few hours.

Dietary notes

This applesauce cake recipe is vegetarian. For dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt. (And let us know how it goes!)