Sourdough Applesauce Cake

This sourdough applesauce cake is pure autumn comfort. The applesauce keeps it incredibly moist and fresh, while the sourdough adds a rich, tender texture. Topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and a caramel swirl, it’s an irresistible upgrade that feels both cozy and decadent. Perfect for holidays or any fall gathering, though honestly—it’s heavenly all on its own.

Why add applesauce to a cake?

Applesauce is more than just a simple ingredient—it brings incredible benefits to cake baking. Here’s why it’s such a popular addition:

• Moisture: Keeps the crumb soft and tender without feeling heavy.

• Natural Sweetness: Adds subtle sweetness, reducing the need for extra sugar.

• Healthier Swap: Can replace some fats or oils for a lighter option.

• Flavor Boost: Infuses a gentle apple flavor that enhances warm spices and makes each bite more delicious.

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A few pro tips before baking

• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature, this helps the batter come together smoothly.

• Sourdough starter: When it comes to your sourdough starter, fed or unfed both work, but avoid using discard that’s more than a week old, as it can add an unpleasantly sour taste.

• Don’t over-mix: And don’t worry if your batter looks a little clumpy! The key is to stop mixing as soon as you no longer see dry streaks of flour. Overmixing will make the cake tough, so use a gentle hand or keep your mixer on low speed for the best texture.

How to make sourdough applesauce cake: step-by-step

Ingredients

Wet ingredients:

• 100 grams sourdough starter (room temperature fed or unfed works)
• 240 grams unsweetened applesauce
• 73 grams neutral oil (avocado oil works well)
• 100 grams full fat sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 100 grams white sugar
• 100 grams light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 5 grams vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 250 grams all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps (8 grams) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) grams salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 tesapoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• optional: 60 grams chopped walnuts or pecans)

Cream cheese frosting:

• 225 grams cream cheese, softened
• 60 grams unsalted butter softened
• 200 grams powdered sugar
• 5 grams vanilla extract

Caramel swirl:

• 75 grams brown sugar
• 45 grams unsalted butter
• 15 grams heavy cream
• pinch of salt

You will need:

• Mixing bowls
• Food scale and measuring spoons
• 1 9×13 inch cake pan
• Electric mixer or silicone spatula

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line your cake pan with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl whisk together the sourdough starter, applesauce, oil, sour cream or Greek yogurt, white sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.

• In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg. ginger, cloves, and cardamom.

• Fold dry mixture into wet mixture until just combined. Stir in nuts if using. Be careful not to over-mix here.

• Pour the batter into the cake pan and spread evenly bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. A few moist crumbs are okay.

• Allow sourdough applesauce to cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to make the frosting

• Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Spread the frosting evenly over the cake.

• Caramel drizzle: In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Stir in the heavy cream and simmer 1-2 minutes until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the pinch of salt. Let cool sightly to thicken.

• If the glaze thickens too much add a splash of milk to thin it out.

• Drizzle the caramel glaze over top of the cake and gently swirl it around with a spoon for a marbled effect. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

• Sourdough applesauce cake lasts for 4-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

More sourdough dessert recipes:

• Sourdough Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
• Apple Cinnamon Sourdough Scones (w/ a caramel glaze!)
• Sourdough Pumpkin Blondies (discard recipe)
• Amish Apple Cider Donut Bread