Apple Sauce Cake Recipe

Recipe: Apple Sauce Cake

History and Fun Facts:
Apple sauce cake is a delicious dessert that has been enjoyed for many years. It originated in the United States during the early 20th century, when apples were abundant and often used in various recipes. This cake became popular as an economical alternative to the rich fruit cake, which required expensive ingredients and a long preparation time.

Fun Fact: Apple sauce cake was a favorite among homemakers during the Great Depression because it was budget-friendly and could be made with basic pantry staples.

Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon of allspice
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A little grated nutmeg
- 1 cup of chopped raisins
- Flour for dusting raisins
- 1 cup of unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of boiling water
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a cake pan.
2. In a big mixing bowl, beat the butter, egg, and sugar until it reaches a creamy consistency.
3. Add a pinch of salt, allspice, vanilla extract, and grated nutmeg to the mixture. Stir well to combine.
4. Dust the chopped raisins with flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake. Add them to the batter and mix thoroughly.
5. Press the unsweetened apple sauce through a fine wire sieve to remove any lumps. Add the apple sauce to the batter and mix until well combined.
6. Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water and add it to the batter. Stir to incorporate.
7. Sift the all-purpose flour twice and gradually add it to the batter, stirring until fully incorporated.
8. Pour the batter into the greased cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
9. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely before serving.

Optional: You can ice the cake with plain white frosting for added sweetness and flavor.

Note: Be mindful of the dough consistency. If the batter appears too thin, ensure that the apple sauce is cooked thick to compensate. If the dough is still too thin, gradually add more flour until the desired consistency is achieved.

Similar Recipes: If you enjoy this apple sauce cake, you may also like other apple-based desserts such as apple crisp, apple pie, or apple muffins. These recipes also showcase the delicious flavor of apples and provide a warm and comforting treat.

Enjoy your homemade apple sauce cake!