Description

This Apple Spice Cake is a moist Bundt cake with applesauce, cocoa, raisins, toasted pecans, warm spices, and a smooth caramel glaze. It makes a cozy dessert for 4th of July gatherings, family celebrations, and make ahead parties.

Ingredients

Scale

For the cake:

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

1 cup applesauce

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 cup raisins

1 cup toasted chopped pecans

For the caramel glaze:

1 cup packed brown sugar

4 tbsp butter

1/2 cup milk

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 10 cup Bundt pan.

2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.

3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.

4. Stir in applesauce.

5. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, and cocoa powder.

6. Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture in batches, alternating with buttermilk.

7. Stir in raisins and toasted pecans.

8. Transfer batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.

9. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

11. Transfer to a wire rack and cool fully.

12. For the glaze, heat brown sugar and butter in a saucepan until boiling.

13. Remove from heat and carefully stir in milk.

14. Return to heat and boil again.

15. Mix in powdered sugar until smooth.

16. Stir in vanilla.

17. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake and serve.

Notes

Toast pecans in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes before adding them to the batter.

Room temperature eggs and buttermilk help create a softer texture.

Sift powdered sugar before adding it to the glaze for a smoother consistency.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Individual slices can be frozen if wrapped well before storing in a freezer safe bag.

The unfrosted cake can be frozen ahead of time and glazed before serving.

Nutrition details were not provided in the article.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: 4th of July
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American