High Altitude Applesauce Cake with Caramel Icing
Cozy, nostalgic, and irresistibly moist, this High Altitude Applesauce Cake with Caramel Icing is pure comfort in every bite. Each bite is packed with the cozy warmth of cinnamon and the deep, caramelized sweetness of homemade icing. The applesauce makes this cake incredibly moist, while the fluffy crumb practically melts in your mouth.
Love apple recipes? Check out these other APPLE HIGH ALTITUDE RECIPES: Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel, Dutch Apple Pie with Crumb Topping, Apple Crisp, and Cream Apple Pie.
This High Altitude applesauce cake recipe is made at 8,000 ft elevation. To adjust the recipe for other elevations check out high altitude baking adjustments.
Best Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake
This is my Great Grandma Lil’s applesauce cake recipe that is moist, tender, and full of cozy fall flavors. When I moved to higher elevation I had to adjust the ingredient amounts to be able to enjoy the same moist cake that I loved at sea level.
Determined to bring back that nostalgic apple flavor, I started tweaking the original recipe, adjusting the flour, leavening, and bake time until I had the best cake—one that rose perfectly and had that dreamy moist crumb I was after.
Unlike a cake mix, this version uses wholesome ingredients, and every bite is packed with warm spices and sweet apple goodness. It reminded me of the classic Betty Crocker cakes my grandma used to bake, but even better because it was homemade.
This easy applesauce cake has become one of my favorite recipes, a go-to for chilly days when I’m craving delicious creations straight from my kitchen. Next time you need a simple yet impressive dessert, give this one a try—it’s a true taste of fall in every bite!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- PERFECT FOR ALL BAKERS – find easy to follow directions for baking at higher elevations or at sea level
- INCREDIBLE APPLE FLAVOR – made with real applesauce instead of artificial flavoring, this cake delivers a naturally sweet, deep apple flavor that shines in every bite
- COZY AND COMFORTING – the perfect amount of warm spice creates that nostalgic, home-baked taste that’s perfect for crisp fall days or anytime you need a little comfort
- RICH CARAMEL ICING – the sweet, buttery caramel icing seeps into the cake, adding a deliciously gooey finish that takes this from a simple applesauce cake recipe to a truly indulgent treat
- EASY YET IMPRESSIVE – this easy applesauce cake comes together quickly, making it a stress-free dessert for family gatherings, holiday tables, or just because you’re craving a flavorful cake!
Recommended tools:
- LARGE BOWL – used to mix up the cake batter, use an electric mixer or a simple wooden spoon to mix up the batter
- SKILLET & WHISK – for create the luscious caramel icing
- BAKING PAN – this recipe uses a 9×13 pan
- OPTIONAL: WIRE RACK – I love to cool all my baked goods on wire racks
Ingredients:
Applesauce Cake:
- ALL PURPOSE FLOUR – creates the base for the cake. NOTE: I have never made this recipe with cake flour or whole wheat flour
- BROWN SUGAR – adds a hint of sweetness
- BUTTER – use softened unsalted butter NOTE: I have never made this recipe with vegetable oil or olive oil as a replacement
- LARGE EGGS – eggs should be at room temperature
- APPLESAUCE – use unsweetened applesauce NOTE: I have never made this recipe with homemade applesauce or chunky applesauce
- BAKING SODA & BAKING POWDER – the perfect amount of leavening
- CINNAMON – for the perfect warmth and spice
- VANILLA EXTRACT – helps to enhance the flavor (a little secret of mine…I never measure vanilla when I’m baking)
- SALT – don’t skip the salt! A little bit goes a long way to help enhance the flavors
TIP: for accurate measuring of flour never scoop flour up, always spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off
Caramel Icing:
- BUTTER – use unsalted butter for a sweeter icing or salted butter for a hint of salted caramel
- HEAVY CREAM – brings a beautiful richness to the caramel flavor
- BROWN SUGAR – creates the deep caramel coloring
- VANILLA EXTRACT – helps to enhance the flavor
- POWDERED SUGAR – the base of the icing that thickens the caramel for the perfect spreadable caramel
Find the full ingredients list in the recipe card below
How to make applesauce cake:
- PREPARE THE PAN – spray or grease the pan (See below in FAQs for how to butter and flour the pan). Pre heat oven to 350° F.
- MIX CAKE BATTER – combine all the dry ingredients and then add the applesauce, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract
- ADD TO PAN – dump the batter into the prepared baking pan and evenly spread the batter
- BAKE – place in preheat oven and bake for 25 minutes
- PREPARE ICING – bring the butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar then spread over the slightly cooled cake.
- ENJOY – serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Ingredient Substitutions / Variations:
Vanilla Frosting
Swap out the Caramel Icing for simple and easy Vanilla Frosting. Use the following:
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 8-10 tbsp Whole Milk – add the milk slowly until the right consistency is achieved for spreading evenly
Powdered Sugar Topping
If you’re looking for an even more simple recipe, simple sprinkle the top of the cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Baking at Sea Level
This original recipe is my Great Grandma Lil’s recipe for baking in Illinois. Make the following changes in ingredient amounts for baking at sea level:
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
FAQs:
How to grease and flour a pan:
Use a pastry brush or a paper towel to spread a thin layer of butter to the entire inside of the pan. Be sure to get the corners for best results. Then add a small amount of flour to the pan.
Evenly spread the flour by gently tapping and tilting the pan until the flour has coated the entire pan. Tap any excess or loose flour out of the pan.
What does applesauce do to a cake?
Applesauce adds a delicious apple flavor and amazing moisture to a cake. Use unsweetened applesauce.
How to store applesauce cake:
Store applesauce cake at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Ensure the cake is covered for storage. Or freeze the cake prior to frosting for up to 3 months.
Can applesauce cake be frozen?
Yes, applesauce cake can be frozen. It is best to freeze the cake unfrosted. Tightly wrap the cake in plastic wrap then aluminum foil or an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Other high altitude recipes:
- Peach Pie – with fresh peaches
- 3-Ingredient Peach Cobbler – with canned peaches
- Apple Crisp
- Apple Pie
- Blueberry Scones – with fresh or frozen blueberries
- Blueberry Pie – with frozen blueberries
- Blueberry Coffee Cake
- Blueberry Muffins
- Lemon Bars
- Key Lime Pie
- Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
If you make this delicious High Altitude Applesauce Cake recipe please rate this recipe and leave a comment below about how it turned out. If you have any questions, post them below and I would love to help you out.
High Altitude Applesauce Cake with Caramel Icing
Wild Flour Recipes | Baking at 8,000 ft
www.wildflourrecipes.com
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- Skillet
- 9×13 Baking Pan
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 2 ¼ cup All Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- ½ tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ cup Butter softened
- 2 Large Eggs room temperature
- 1 ½ cup Applesauce unsweetened
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Caramel Icing
- 3 tbsp Butter use salted butter for a salted caramel flavor
- ⅓ cup Heavy Cream
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar packed
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 ⅓ cup Powdered Sugar
Instructions
Applesauce Cake
- PREHEAT OVEN – preheat the oven to 350° F.
- PREPARE THE PAN – spray or grease the pan with a thin layer of butter and flour.
- MIX CAKE BATTER – combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the applesauce, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. The batter will be thick.
- ADD TO PAN – dump the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread the batter evenly in the pan.
- BAKE – place on the center rack in the preheated oven and bake for 23-25 minutes. Prepare the caramel icing right after taking the cake out of the oven.
Caramel Icing
- BRING TO A BOIL – add the butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar into a skillet. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat as soon as it comes to a boil and add the vanilla extract.
- ADD POWDERED SUGAR – Add the powdered sugar and whisk until the icing is smooth without clumps.
- SPREAD OVER THE CAKE – Quickly spread the icing over the warm cake. The icing will slightly hardened on top when it cools.
Notes
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 8-10 tbsp Whole Milk – add the milk slowly until the right consistency is achieved for spreading evenly
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
Perfectly moist and flavor! Love this cake, reminds me of my grandma’s recipe too.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the cake!