A delightful dessert that embodies comfort and warmth, this traditional Amish cake is simple to prepare and offers a moist, flavorful experience enriched with the natural sweetness of homemade applesauce.
Ingredients
Scale:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup homemade applesauce (or store-bought)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.
In another bowl, beat together the granulated sugar and vegetable oil until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the homemade applesauce and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. If using, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
If desired, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving.
