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I’m letting you in on a very sweet family secret. The moment that crisp air hits and I spot the first rogue pumpkin at the grocery store, this cake magically appears on our counter. My kids have officially dubbed it “Fall Cake,” and honestly, I couldn’t have come up with a better name myself.
This beauty is a total pantry hero. There is no peeling fresh fruit or hunting down fancy, obscure ingredients because the beauty of this is that it is made with staples that you already have. It’s the ultimate zero-stress bake!
It freezes beautifully and slices up perfectly for everything from impromptu visits, afternoon tea, or that secret, just-one-more-bite moment after dinner. The recipe itself is as flexible as it is forgiving. You can use all-purpose or gluten-free flour, OR whatever milk is chilling in your fridge.
Every baker needs a house cake, that one signature bake you can rely on, and that makes your kitchen smell like home. This has become my family’s forever cake, and I am so excited for it to become yours, too!
😍 Why You’ll Love my Applesauce House Cake
This cake tastes exactly like the best parts of your childhood kitchen. The applesauce makes it incredibly moist and tender and totally delish. It’s the kind of cake I want for my afternoon couch snack with my cup of tea.
I am a big fan of a high-impact recipe with low effort. And this cake is a zero-stress bake because it calls for ingredients you almost for sure have on hand. No waiting for butter to soften, no fresh fruit to prep. Just simple staples, a quick mix, and your kitchen will magically smell like awarm and cozy fall day. Really couldn’t be easier.
🗒️ Ingredients
Unsweetened Applesauce- Adds natural sweetness and moisture to the batter.
Granulated Sugar- Provides sweetness and helps create a balanced flavor while contributing to the golden color of the bake.
Vegetable Oil- Keeps the texture rich and moist.
Large eggs- Bind the ingredients together and add structure, helping the bake rise evenly and maintain a fluffy interior.
Vanilla Extract- Enhances the overall flavor with a subtle warmth and sweetness that complements the spices perfectly.
Unsweetened Almond Milk- Adds a bit of lightness and moisture. You can use any type of milk that you have on hand though!
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour- Serves as the base of the recipe, providing structure. You can also use regular All Purpose flour if you prefer.
Baking Soda- Works with the applesauce’s natural acidity to help the batter rise.
Baking Powder- Adds extra lift and softness, ensuring a tender crumb.
Ground Cinnamon- Brings cozy, classic warmth.
Ground Nutmeg- Adds depth with its sweet, slightly nutty aroma.
Kosher Salt- Enhances all the flavors.
Ground Ginger- Provides a subtle kick and brightness that balances the sweetness.
👩🍳 How to Make Applesauce House Cake
🔥 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
🍎 Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
🥣 Combine the Applesauce, Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Eggs, and Milk in a large bowl; beat well.
🥄 Sift in Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, and Salt; stir until smooth. Fold in pecans.
✨ Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
⏲️ Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 55-60 minutes.
🥳 Enjoy!
🤲 Substitutions/Add-ins
You can substitute the Almond milk for Regular Milk
You can substitute the GF Flour for Regular AP Flour
Add chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans) for great flavor
Add raisins or shredded coconut for added flavor
📓 Best served with
A cup of afternoon tea
As part of your breakfast table spread
Add a little apple butter or flaky seasalt
👝 How to Store Leftover Applesauce House Cake
Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This bread also freezes beautifully so if you’d like to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to three months.
🧠 Commonly Asked Questions
Yes, but reduce the granulated sugar by about 2–3 tablespoons to keep the cake from being overly sweet.
Absolutely. Substitute the same amount (2 cups) of all-purpose flour. Just be sure not to overmix, as gluten can make the cake dense.
You can reduce the sugar to ½ cup for a less sweet version. The applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture to balance it out.
Applesauce House Cake
Equipment
- 1 9×5 loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 Cups Unsweetened Applesauce
- 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
- 2 Lg Eggs, Room Temperature
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/3 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 2 cups Gluten-free All Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
- 1/2 tsp Allspice
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Combine applesauce, sugar, oil, eggs, and milk in a large bowl; beat well. Sift in flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and kosher salt; stir until smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 55-60 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Outstanding and delicious! Since I didn’t have applesauce on hand, I used 255g of non-fat Greek yogurt and reduced the egg to 1 to compensate for the larger ratio of yogurt. I also used all purpose flour since I’m out of GF flour. With the modifications it came out just as moist and fluffy as Kat’s original written recipe. The ginger in it is genius and makes the cake. 8×4 loaf pan baked for 45 mins. Sharing these modifications for others if you find yourself without all the ingredients or have the different sized loaf pan. I can’t wait to share the cake with my family today.
Hi Laura! Wonderful! I am so happy to hear you got creative with the modifications and it turned out great 🙂 XO, Kat
Which brand of GF flour works best for this cake? Thanks!
Hi Ellen,
I like King Arthur or Bobs Red Mill which you can find at most grocery stores. Cup 4 Cup is wonderful also. Good luck to you!
XO, Kat
It’s in the oven now! House smells so good. In your video, it looks like you’re adding a lot more than 2 TB’s of milk…. hope mine comes out ok! Do you add more milk than the recipe calls for?
Hi !
Going to try this today- but I only have almond flour – would that work?
Hi Lynn! Hmm, I am afraid that it probably wont work that well…Could end up very wet, sticky and wont bind as well as GF or Reg AP flour. Sorry for the bad news! XO, Kat
So yummy!! Such an easy cake to whip up and the kids gobbled it up!!
Hi Allison! So happy to hear you enjoyed it! So easy to keep these ingredients on hand & whip up in a pinch. XO, Kat
The instructions say to fold in pecans but there are no pecans I. The ingredient list. Can’t wait to try this recipe!!!
Hi Shauna! No pecans for this recipe, however if you would like to add them, they would be delicious~! Hope you enjoy! XO, Kat
Beautiful cake! So easy to put together and bakes up so well. The spice mixture is so nice and tasty, will absolutely make this again and again.
Hi Sarah! Thank you so much for sharing! So happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙂 XO, Kat
Could you substitute pumpkin puree for applesauce?
Hi Michelle! I have never tried it, but I imagine it would be delicious. Let me know! XO, Kat
Great recipe Kat. A quick question- when you mention gluten free all purpose flour is it assumed it contains xantham gum? ( as th tones I use do). I. A bread like this I don’t think it would make a large difference one way or the another. Also have you every tried this with fresh homemade applesauce ? That’s my weekend baking task. I think it will be great!
MA
Hi Maureen!
Yes, when I call for a gluten-free all-purpose flour, it’s typically one that already contains xanthan gum (like Cup4Cup, King Arthur, or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1). If yours already has it, you’re all set! And you’re absolutely right….in a quick bread like this, it’s forgiving either way, so it won’t make a huge difference.
I love the idea of using fresh, homemade applesauce, sounds incredible! IJust make sure it’s not too watery, and you’ll be good to go. Please report back, I bet it’ll be delicious!
XO, Kat
Looks wonderful … final step “fold in pecans” but they are not listed in the ingredients. How many? Thank you!
Hi Barbara, No pecans for this recipe, however if you would like to add them, they would be delicious~! Maybe try 1/2 cup to start. Hope you enjoy! XO, Kat