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Applesauce Honey Cake

Applesauce honey cake is a tender American dessert made with applesauce for moisture and a quick honey glaze brushed over warm cake. Bake it in a 9x13 pan until golden-brown and a toothpick comes out clean, then finish with a glossy honey-butter glaze.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Applesauce Honey Cake
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ginger
  • 0.25 tsp allspice
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 0.75 cup honey
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 0.33 cup sour cream
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake the cake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F, then grease a 9x13 baking pan.
  2. Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and salt.
  3. Beat unsalted butter, honey, and brown sugar until smooth, then beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
  4. Stir in unsweetened applesauce and sour cream, then fold in the flour mixture until just combined.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Glaze and serve
  1. Whisk honey glaze ingredients (honey, melted butter, and powdered sugar) until smooth.
  2. Brush the honey glaze over the warm cake.
  3. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

For the cleanest crumb, fold the flour mixture just until no dry streaks remain. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days; freeze slices up to 2 months. For a lighter option, use low-fat sour cream (texture may be slightly softer but still tender).