Thursday, April 22, 2010

Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...An egg salad sandwich began the reverie that led me to this cake. My love affair with egg salad began in elementary school, soon after the second world war ended. It wasn't something that appeared on rationed tables, so this pedestrian sandwich was a real treat once eggs again became available. During the war years, eggs were precious and saved for special occasions. Popular cakes used few or no eggs and were sweetened with small amounts of sugar extended with pureed fruit or fruit syrup. Adults, as I remember it, really enjoyed this cake. It was chock full of dried fruits and nuts and had a holiday air about it that brightened those bleak times. It's probably no surprise to learn that this cake had less appeal for children. During the war years, the cake was dusted with sugar rather than frosted, but the original recipe called for a powdered sugar icing which is delicious. As you read through the ingredient list, you'll be able to see that a cream cheese frosting would also be wonderful with this cake. Purists still make the cake with homemade applesauce but a thick commercial variety can be used by those pressed for time. I know that's most of us. These days this treat falls more into the category of snack cakes. It is very easy to make and I think you'll enjoy it. Like all cakes of this type, it is better when allowed to sit a day or two and it stays moist if well wrapped. Here's the recipe.

Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
Cake
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1-1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, divided use
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1-1/4 cups thick applesauce
Frosting:
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons cream or milk

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 9-inch spring form pan. Set aside.
2) Combine raisins, currants and walnuts in a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup flour and mix well. Set aside.
3) Beat butter in bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Slowly add sugar. When incorporated add egg and mix to combine.
4) Sift remaining 1-1/4 cup flour with baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add flour mixture to batter in 3 parts, alternating with applesauce. Stir in raisin-currant and nut mixture.
5) Spoon batter (it will be thick) into prepared springform pan. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Remove sides of pan.
6) While cake cools, beat butter with vanilla in bowl of an electric mixer. Slowly add sugar, beating until mealy. Add just enough cream to make icing spreadable. Spread over top and sides of cooled caked. Yield 8 to 10 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Apfel Sahne Torte - One Perfect Bite
One Bowl Gluten-Free Spice Cake
Okanagan Apple Bread - One Perfect Bite

61 comments :

Unknown said...

That sounds so yummy and healthy too with all the fruits and nuts in it. I'll have to give that a try.

Sushma Mallya said...

Very beautiful cake, different and nice one...

Cherine said...

This cake looks amazing! Love all those flavors in it!!

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

AN OLD fashioned apple sauce cake with nuts and fruits ...gosh it couldn get any better and i love this delicious cake u have here ...awesome and dliciously moist ...

Diane said...

I don't often make cakes but this looks really yummy. Diane

Alessandra said...

Oh, my husband loves this kind of cake.

I am a bit down, the oven doesn't work and the electrician is not showing up!

When will I bake again????

Deb in Hawaii said...

A fun retro cake--love all the ingredients and flavors in it! ;-)

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Mary, this look very yummy with all fruits and nuts, will try this soon.

MaryMoh said...

Wow...a lot of ingredients in the cake. Have to be very delicious. Love all the nuts and fruits added.

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

Old fashiones Apple cake with the goodness of nuts and fruits and so absolutely moist and yummy ...really couldn get better than that:-)))

Lucie said...

This sounds like a great cake, Mary. I love reading your stories--a cake with history is always the best.

Beverly said...

Mary, I love egg salad sandwiches, too. And, I like my bread toasted. Yum!

My mother used to make applesauce cake. What a sweet memory. You have inspired me for this weekend.

3 hungry tummies said...

I love old fashioned cakes like this..I am going to try this over the long weekend!
Enjoy your weekend!

Tina said...

This would be perfect for my dinner at the in-laws!

Federica Simoni said...

questo dolce deve essere golosissimo!!! bravissima come sempre!! ciao!

Beansieleigh said...

Oh, this looks delicious! But I'm one of those kids at heart. I MUCH prefer frosting over a sprinkling of sugar!! ~tina

Martha said...

There is nothing like an old fashioned applesauce cake -- brings back memories of my childhood!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I have a similar recipe that I found on the back of an applesauce can and used to make it frequently years ago when my kids were little. Thanks for reminding me about delicious and easy to make cake.

Unknown said...

Yummy!!! This looks delicious Mary...I can practically taste it!!

Sarah @ Mum In Bloom said...

I love reading your memories :) This cake does look delicous indeed.

I made a mayonaisse WWII chocolate cake recipe and it was delish too... I'll have to make it today.

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Yummy !!!!!!

ellie said...

My Mum is the exact same with egg sandwiches!

And yet another recipe i'm saving for my got to bake list- i'm a little annoyed as i've just spent the morning baking and wish i'd seen this to make it first but neverind, it will make a lovely cake another day!

mj said...

From one Mary to another...

Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a nice comment. I have been neglecting it lately but hope to post more recipes soon.

Your blog looks wonderful too. I will bookmark so I can visit often. I'm always looking for new recipe to try on my family.

Mary~

Ana Powell said...

It looks and sounds delicious.
Awesome photo x

yummy recipes said...

That looks very yummy..I feel like I wanna eat this photo :)..thanks for sharing.

Christine said...

My mother used to make an applesauce cake much like yours. This brings back such memories for me. Thank you Mary!

The Red Umbrella said...

I think I'm about to eat my monitor!

Chef E said...

My mom also made this, and I loved raisins in it! I think it lead to my love for carrot cake as well, because she had no idea what carrot cake was and kept adding ingredients, lol!

Egg Salad, oh how I love thee...

Teri said...

Wow! Your photography is gorgeous, and your recipes look great...I think I'll have to try a few. Thank you for stopping by my site today, too! Its great to meet you.

Jean at The Delightful Repast said...

Hello Mary, So glad I happened onto your blog this morning! This cake reminds of a cake I'll be posting soon. I call it "vegan," but it's based on simply not having any butter or eggs during the war years, as you mentioned. We used to have an apple tree, and I made gallons of applesauce; now I usually make do with store-bought organic applesauce. I'll be visiting your lovely blog again soon!

Namitha said...

Such a wonderful piece of cake..I love nuts and fruits in it...never tried an applesauce cake before

PeggyR said...

Yum another recipe I will have to try!

Sue said...

Hi Mary,
I'm so happy you found me.

What a great simple but delicious cake. The springform pan is a nice surprise. I guess you could bake it and serve it out of a square pan, but cakes always seem more finished when they can be unmolded.

Lovely icing too.

Cool Lassi(e) said...

Thanks for visiting my space dear.You have an awesome blog,dear! Lovely applesauce cake. Following you.Don't want to miss any of your recipes!

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

I bet this is just wonderfully moist!

Bob said...

Looks awesome! I've had cakes like this before, they're a good time.

Julie said...

Sounds just delicious and comforting. Very nice :)

P. said...

It looks so good!
Alfazema

Amy said...

As usual, Mary, a most outstanding recipe! What a fabulous looking snack cake.

Rambling Tart said...

Oh Mary, I can almost taste this!!! Mmmm, it looks so good and homey and wonderful. :-) Reminds me of coffee at my Danish grandmothers. :-)

Simply Life said...

oh I've never had a cake like this but I'm sure I would love it! I bet it would be great as cupcakes too!

Barbara said...

Egg salad sandwiches were my father's favorite lunch! I don't know why I don't make them any more. I like them too. I was a child, but I remember the shortages.
I always think of a cake like this in the fall! I love your spices and the cake looks so moist and delicious. I bet it freezes perfectly too!

DailyChef said...

Oh my goodness this looks good. I think I want to try it with the powdered sugar.

tasteofbeirut said...

We had a family friend growing up who would often show up with a homemade apple cake; to me this cake evokes comfort food and homemade at the onset! Thanks for your wonderful recipe!

Jen_from_NJ said...

What an interesting post! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I look forward to trying it. Sounds delicious!

xinex said...

Beautiful cake and looks so yummy, Mary. You know I try a lot of your recipes and they are always good....Christine

Unknown said...

looks so soft and yammmmyyyyy...feeling have a bite right now...

velva said...

This is a wonderful applesauce cake. This is a classic recipe and no matter which generation is enjoying it, it is still just as good.

Lori said...

Looks delicious Mary.

Jeannie said...

That is one tempting piece of cake!

♥ Kathy said...

That looks REALLY good!

ps I loooove egg salad too!

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

I love these kinds of cakes! And I'm with you on the egg salad too.

Sherry G said...

The frosting alone looks great! But that is a truly wonderful looking cake=)

Allie and Pattie said...

Mary, my Dad loves this cake and inhales it when it's around :)
xoxo Pattie

Jamie said...

This is the kind of cake that would sit out uncovered on the table to be nibbled and picked at all day long. Luscious! And I love egg salad sandwiches. My dad made the egg salad in our house (as well as the chicken salad and the chopped liver) and it was delicious!

Alicia Foodycat said...

I think that sounds delicious - and even a little bit healthy!

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by Ms Whits Recipes.

Latha said...

Dear Mary,

I have a very silly and basic doubt - the recipe uses sweetened or unsweetened applesauce? I have home-made sweetened sauce that i would love to use here...

Mary Bergfeld said...

Latha, I couldn't respond directly as I had no link to go to. You can use a sweetened sauce as long as it is not too sweet. If it is very sweet cut back a bit on the sugar. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

moutushi said...

Wonderful recipe. Thanks a lot.

moutushi said...

Wonderful recipe. Thanks a lot.

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