Vegan Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake

Vegan Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake is a classic, warmly spiced cake made with applesauce and all-vegan ingredients. Moist, rich, and just sweet enough, it's delicious baked as a simple square cake or a beautiful Bundt cake.

Applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves give this cake a warm, spiced apple flavor that reminds me of hot apple cider. It's lightly sweet and satisfying, with a rich golden color and a dense, fine crumb that slices beautifully. While it bakes, the kitchen fills with the aroma of apples and fall spices.

This family heirloom recipe has been passed down for generations. As a child, I remember my mom baking her Aunt Velma's applesauce cake for holidays and family gatherings. Years later, my daughter Madison and I recreated it without eggs or dairy, while keeping the flavor and texture like the original. We love honoring traditional recipes, while making them kinder and even more special.

If you love classic apple desserts, try my Vegan Apple Pie and Vegan Apple Crisp. For another favorite made with applesauce and warm fall spices, my Vegan Applesauce Pumpkin Bread is perfect for fall baking.

★★★★★ "Made this morning to bring to a brunch Christmas morning. Of course, I had to do a taste test. It's delicious!! Thanks for sharing this recipe. It's a keeper!" Kathi

Why you'll love this recipe

• A true family recipe. This old-fashioned applesauce cake has been passed down through my family for generations and recreated with vegan ingredients.
• Richly spiced apple flavor. Applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves give the cake its distinctive warm flavor and aroma.
• Tested two ways. Bake it as a 9 × 9-inch square cake for easy slicing or in a Bundt pan for a beautiful presentation.
• Perfect for sharing. It makes plenty of neat slices for brunches, holidays, potlucks, or an afternoon coffee break.
• Easy to make your own. Enjoy it plain or add cranberries, walnuts, pecans, or golden raisins.

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for quantities & details.

• Applesauce. Smooth, unsweetened applesauce provides moisture and apple flavor without making the cake overly sweet. Homemade or store-bought both work well. If you'd like to make your own, try my Homemade Applesauce.
• Vegan butter. Use softened, not melted, butter. Softened butter blends smoothly with the sugar and helps create the texture we want in this cake.
• Vegan egg replacer. Use the equivalent of two eggs. I tested this recipe with Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer, which I found provides reliable binding and structure. If unavailable, flax eggs are another option, although I haven't tested them in this recipe. To make one flax egg, combine 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water and let it sit until thickened. For this recipe, you'll need 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed and 6 tablespoons water.
• Spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves give this applesauce cake its warm, old-fashioned spice flavor.

How To Make Applesauce Cake

This recipe can be baked in a 9 × 9-inch square pan or a Bundt pan. The batter is prepared the same way, but the oven temperature and baking time are different.

Square cake baking

1.Preheat the oven to 350°F for a square cake. Grease and lightly flour the bottom and sides of a 9 × 9-inch baking pan.

2. Thoroughly whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.

3. Place the softened vegan butter, sugar, prepared egg replacer, and vanilla into a large mixing bowl.

4. Beat until thoroughly combined and smooth. Add the applesauce until fully combined.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients while mixing. Once incorporated, beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1-2 minutes, or whisk vigorously by hand, until the batter is thick and smooth with no visible lumps.

6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. The batter will be thick, so use a spatula to spread it evenly into the corners.

Add-ins: Gently fold in cranberries, nuts or raisins with a large spoon or spatula into the batter before pouring into the baking pan/dish.

7. Bake on the middle oven rack for 35-40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and may begin pulling slightly away from the sides of the pan.

8. Place the pan on a wire rack and allow the cake to cool completely.

9. When ready to serve, sprinkle with powdered sugar, glaze, frosting or enjoy simply as is.

How to make an applesauce Bundt cake

Prepare the batter as directed above, with these adjustments:

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Thoroughly grease and lightly flour the bottom, center tube, and every crevice of the Bundt pan.

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake on the middle rack for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Let the cake cool for 30-40 minutes before carefully turning the cake out of the pan.

Allow it to cool completely before adding powdered sugar, glaze, or frosting.

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