Apple Sauce Cake (the reverse is another recipe: Plain Applesauce Cake)

Here is another one of GG Ottie’s recipes that struck me as unusual and tantalizing. It was also a challenge because many of the listed ingredients were vague. Therefore, where she stated to “spice to taste” I used her plain applesauce cake as reference. The spices listed there are: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. I also threw a splash of vanilla into the mix.

The results are a dense yet tender cake. “Tasty apply goodness…” said Hubby. He loved the raisins, and I enjoyed the addition of cocoa.

Applesauce Cake (with cocoa)

Created by Jenai on January 25, 2016

Ingredients

1/2 cup Butter, softened
1 Egg
4 tablespoons Hot Water
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
2 1/2 cups Flour
1 1/2 cups Thick Applesauce
1 cup Dates or Raisins (I opted for 1/2 cup of each)
2 tablespoons Cocoa
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 pinch Cloves
1 dash Salt

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Dissolve the baking soda into the hot water, set aside.
Cream together the butter and sugar.
Mix in the egg, applesauce, and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa, and spices. Stir the flour mixture into the liquid mixture.
Stir in the water and baking soda.
Fold in the nuts, raisins and/or dates.
Spread into a greased and floured 10×7 pan, and bake at 350 degrees for about 50 to 60 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean).