This delicious applesauce cake with cake mix is super moist, delicious, and easy to make! I used applesauce in place of some of the oil to make this recipe a bit lighter and to infuse the cake with tons of apple flavor. Plus, I added a rich brown sugar cinnamon swirl for even more sweetness. My homemade cinnamon brown sugar frosting takes this doctored-up boxed cake mix to the next level. No one will believe it’s not totally homemade!
Applesauce is a great substitute for some or all of the oil in cakes. It not only gives cakes a yummy moist crumb but also acts as a natural sweetening agent. I made this applesauce cake with cake mix to keep things super easy, and I added a simple 3-ingredient swirl for even more indulgence. Topped with sweet cinnamon brown sugar frosting, it’s the ultimate autumn cake!
What’s in This Applesauce Cake Recipe?
- Yellow Cake Mix: Makes this cake super easy to put together. I have also made this recipe using spice cake, and it’s delish!
- Unsweetened Applesauce: I used this in place of some of the oil in this cake to keep it moist and add sweetness and apple flavor.
- Eggs: Help bind the cake and keep it moist.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and fresh for days.
- Brown Sugar: Forms the base of the gooey swirl and adds depth to the frosting.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy flavor to both the swirl and the frosting.
- Unsalted Butter: Binds the swirl and forms the creamy base of the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.
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How to Store
Store leftover applesauce cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let come to room temperature before enjoying.
Tips for Success
- If you have a kitchen scale, use it! It’ll give you the most accurate measurements for the most desirable results. Don’t have a scale? No worries! Just use the spoon-and-level method for measuring.
- I don’t recommend using sweetened applesauce, as the added sugars may make the cake too sweet. An unsweetened, smooth applesauce without added water is best for the best results.
- This recipe needs the extra moisture from the applesauce in order to work properly. You won’t have the same result if you use diced fresh apples.
- Feel free to fold some chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter.
- You’ll want to mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter swirl together just before you need it. You want the butter still to be melted (when mixed with the other swirl ingredients) so that the mixture swirls easily into the cake batter.
Applesauce Cake with Cake Mix Recipe
Ingredients
For the Applesauce Cake
- 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix 432 grams (1 box)
- 1½ cups unsweetened applesauce 375 grams
- 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature
- ¼ cup vegetable oil 50 grams
- ½ cup brown sugar 100 grams
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 9 grams
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 43 grams, melted (⅜ stick)
For the Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting
- 2½ cups powdered sugar 300 grams
- ½ cup unsalted butter 115 grams, slightly melted (1 stick)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar 67 grams
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Hand Mixer
Instructions
For the Applesauce Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using a whisk, beat the cake mix, unsweetened applesauce, eggs, and vegetable oil together until well mixed, about 2 minutes.15.25 ounces yellow cake mix, 1½ cups unsweetened applesauce, 3 large eggs, ¼ cup vegetable oil
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, stir the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter together until well mixed.½ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Use a spoon to place small scoops of this brown sugar mixture evenly around the top of the cake.
- Use a table knife to swirl this brown sugar mixture into the cake batter until it looks well combined.
- Place cake in oven and bake for 26-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. The top of the cake should look lightly brown.
- Let cake cool completely before frosting.
For the Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat (on high) the powdered sugar, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.2½ cups powdered sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Use a spatula to evenly coat top of cake with frosting.
- Slice cake and serve.
Notes
How to Make Applesauce Cake Step-by-Step
Mix the Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F, spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, and set aside. In a large bowl, using a whisk, beat 15.25 ounces (1 box) of yellow cake mix, 1½ cups of unsweetened applesauce, 3 large eggs, and ¼ cup vegetable oil together until well mixed, about 2 minutes. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Set aside.
Mix the Swirl: In a separate small bowl, stir ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter together until well mixed.
Dollop the Swirl: Use a spoon to place small scoops of this brown sugar mixture evenly around the top of the cake.
Swirl the Cake: Use a table knife to swirl this brown sugar mixture into the cake batter until it looks well combined.
Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the oven and bake for 26-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. The top of the cake should look lightly brown. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Beat the Frosting: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat (on high) 2½ cups of powdered sugar, ½ cup of unsalted butter, ⅓ cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
Frost the Cake: Use a spatula to evenly coat the top of the cake with frosting. Slice the cake and serve.
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