This delightful applesauce cake with cinnamon crumb topping is a perfect blend of moist cake and crunchy topping. The aromatic spices and sweet applesauce create a comforting dessert that's ideal for any occasion. Whether you're serving it as a dessert or enjoying it with a cup of coffee, this cake is sure to please.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up applesauce if you don't have it on hand. Make sure to get unsweetened applesauce for the best results. Additionally, ensure you have ground nutmeg and brown sugar, as these might not be in everyone's kitchen.

Ingredients For Applesauce Cake With Cinnamon Crumb Topping
All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, providing structure and texture.
Baking soda: Helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice to the cake and topping.
Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty flavor to the cake.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake and topping.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
Applesauce: Adds moisture and a mild apple flavor to the cake.
Brown sugar: Sweetens the crumb topping and adds a hint of molasses flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the crumb topping, ensure the butter is fully melted but not hot. This allows the flour and brown sugar to absorb the butter evenly, creating a perfectly crumbly texture. If the butter is too hot, it can cause the topping to become greasy and less crumbly.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds a nutty flavor and increases the fiber content.
baking soda - Substitute with baking powder: Use three times the amount of baking powder to achieve similar leavening effects.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a more complex flavor and can enhance the taste of the cake.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices like nutmeg and cloves, adding a richer flavor.
ground nutmeg - Substitute with allspice: Allspice has a similar warm, sweet flavor that complements the other spices.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar texture and a subtle coconut flavor.
granulated sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds moisture and a natural sweetness, but use ¾ cup honey for every 1 cup of sugar and reduce other liquids.
large egg - Substitute with flax egg: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water to replace one egg, making the recipe vegan.
applesauce - Substitute with mashed bananas: Mashed bananas provide similar moisture and sweetness, though they will add a banana flavor.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour adds a nutty flavor and is gluten-free, but it may change the texture slightly.
packed brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a similar caramel-like flavor and is less processed.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with cardamom: Cardamom offers a unique, aromatic flavor that pairs well with the other spices.
unsalted butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a rich, nutty flavor and is lactose-free, making it a good alternative for those with lactose intolerance.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Cake
How To Store / Freeze This Cake
To keep your applesauce cake fresh and moist, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay delicious for up to 3 days.
If you prefer to refrigerate, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. This method extends its freshness to about a week.
For longer storage, freezing is an excellent option. First, let the cake cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
Label the wrapped cake with the date to keep track of its freshness. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to enjoy your applesauce cake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours.
To revive the cake's texture, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will make the crumb topping slightly crispy again.
If you have leftover slices, consider wrapping them individually before freezing. This way, you can easily grab a single serving whenever you crave a piece of dessert.
For an extra touch of freshness, dust the thawed cake with a bit of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of glaze before serving.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the leftover applesauce cake on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Warm it for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through. This method helps maintain the cake's moist texture and keeps the cinnamon crumb topping crunchy.
For a quicker option, use a microwave. Place a slice of the cake on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check if it's warm enough; if not, continue in 10-second intervals. Be cautious not to overheat, as it can make the cake rubbery.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 300°F (150°C). Place the cake slice in the basket and heat for 3-5 minutes. This method is excellent for keeping the crumb topping crispy while warming the cake evenly.
For a stovetop method, use a skillet over low heat. Place the cake slice in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Heat for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method helps to gently warm the cake without drying it out.
If you prefer a steam method, place the cake slice in a heatproof dish and set it over a pot of simmering water. Cover the dish with a lid or foil and steam for about 5-7 minutes. This method ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
Best Tools for Baking This Cake
Oven: Used to bake the cake at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).
9-inch square baking pan: The pan in which the cake batter is poured and baked.
Whisk: Used to mix together the dry ingredients like flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Mixing bowl: A bowl to combine and mix the ingredients.
Electric mixer: Useful for beating the butter and sugar until fluffy and for mixing in the egg and applesauce.
Spatula: Handy for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl and ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring out the flour, sugar, and applesauce.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure smaller quantities of ingredients like baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Toothpick: Used to check if the cake is done by inserting it into the center to see if it comes out clean.
Cooling rack: Allows the cake to cool evenly after baking.
Knife: Useful for cutting the cake into pieces once it has cooled.
Pastry cutter: Optional, but can be used to mix the crumb topping until it becomes crumbly.
How To Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all ingredients ahead of time to streamline the baking process.
Use a stand mixer: A stand mixer can save time when creaming butter and sugar and combining wet ingredients.
Make the topping first: Prepare the crumb topping before starting the cake batter to save time during assembly.
Line the pan: Use parchment paper to line the baking pan for easy removal and less cleanup.
Batch tasks: Combine similar tasks, like mixing dry ingredients and wet ingredients, to save time.

Applesauce Cake With Cinnamon Crumb Topping
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup applesauce
Crumb Topping Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and applesauce, mixing well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- For the crumb topping, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add melted butter and mix until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
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