Chocolate Applesauce Cake

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This Chocolate Applesauce Cake recipe comes from my Grandma Swiler, and is a family favorite. Flavored with cinnamon applesauce and an easy chocolate pecan topping, it’s a perfect cake to make all year long. 

(Post modified with new photos on 11/8/23.)

I remember many times, going over to my grandma’s house and seeing this chocolate applesauce cake on her table, just waiting for company. My daughters can probably say the same thing about their grandma. And I’m sure my grandchildren will say the same thing about me. It’s a family favorite.

The cake is lightly flavored with chocolate (with only two tablespoons of cocoa), and cinnamon applesauce. The vegetable shortening gives it a nice rise. And then there is the easy topping. Chopped Nuts + Chocolate Chips + Sugar

One of the sweet things about this recipe is the chocolate nut topping. Use either pecans or English walnuts. Both work well. It’s so easy to toss together. No frostings to worry about. And yet, it’s still delicious. As it bakes, it forms this sugary crust that is simply scrumptious.

 

More Easy Cake Recipe to Try

• Applesauce Spice Cake
• Chocolate Sheet Cake
• Devil’s Food Cake with Buttercream Frosting
• Strawberry Cake

 

Ingredients for Chocolate Applesauce Cake

(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)

• granulated sugar
• vegetable shortening
• large eggs
• vanilla extract
• cinnamon applesauce
• all-purpose flour
• baking cocoa
• baking soda
• salt

A Note About Ingredients

When shopping for applesauce, I prefer a cinnamon flavored sauce, but you may use plain. Chunky, if possible. Or even better, use homemade applesauce if you have some in your pantry or freezer!

Any semi-sweet chocolate chips (or bittersweet) will work for this recipe. I like to use a quality brand, such as Ghirardelli or Nestle. 

While I prefer the taste of pecans for the cake topping, you may also use chopped English walnuts.

 

Instructions for Making This Recipe

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. To begin, gather all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand.

Chop the pecans or English walnuts. I like to use a food chopper for this, but you could also use a Chef’s knife and cutting board.

Prepare the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and vegetable shortening. Add to this the large eggs, vanilla extract and applesauce. 

I like to use homemade applesauce, if I have it in my freezer. But if not, I’ve found that Musselman's makes a chunky applesauce that I really like. 

In a small bowl sift together the all-purpose flour, baking cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture and beat until combined.

Pour mixture into greased oblong cake pan.

 

Add Topping to the Cake

Top with chopped nuts. Sprinkle chocolate chips over cake, and then the granulated sugar. 

Don’t fret if you think this looks like too much sugar, as it bakes into the cake and forms this delectable crunchy coating that you don’t want to miss out on.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. This cake serves 16-20 people.

Serve Chocolate Applesauce Cake with a big glass of milk. Or with vanilla ice cream, which is my husband’s favorite. Pictured above, cake served on Polish Pottery dessert plate – Pattern: LZ Daisy Jane.

See more Cake Recipes Here. View more Applesauce Recipes Here. Browse Desserts Here.

 

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