Old Fashioned Applesauce Coffee Cake is a cinnamon-spiced cake made with applesauce, brown sugar, sour cream, and a small amount of vegetable oil. It has a soft cake texture without a crumb topping, glaze, or frosting.
This Weight Watchers friendly breakfast or dessert is a nice recipe to keep around when you want something sweet without making a heavy dessert.
Serve a slice with coffee in the afternoon, add it to a weekend brunch, or make it for a casual fall dessert. The applesauce adds moisture while the cinnamon and brown sugar give the cake its familiar old fashioned flavor.
You only need everyday baking ingredients, and there’s no mixer required. A 9-inch square cake pan, two mixing bowls, measuring cups, and measuring spoons handle the job.
At 16 servings, it also works well when you need a dessert that can be cut into smaller portions for family meals, brunch tables, or holiday baking.
Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Applesauce Coffee Cake
Made with Applesauce
Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture to the cake and gives it a mild apple flavor without making it taste like an apple pie.
Light Cinnamon Flavor
Ground cinnamon adds warmth without overpowering the applesauce and brown sugar.
No Frosting Needed
This coffee cake is served without frosting, glaze, or a crumb topping. That keeps it closer to an old fashioned snack cake.
Good for Several Occasions
Serve it with coffee, add it to breakfast and brunch, or enjoy it as an afternoon or after-dinner dessert.
Ingredient Substitutions
Light Brown Sugar
Dark brown sugar can replace light brown sugar. It will give the cake a slightly deeper molasses flavor.
Fat Free Sour Cream
Low-fat or regular sour cream can be used in the same amount. The nutrition information will change.
Vegetable Oil
Another neutral oil, such as canola oil, can replace the vegetable oil.
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Old Fashioned Applesauce Coffee Cake
Recipes are written with one action per step for accessibility. Short lines. Fewer rereads. A calmer kitchen on mobile or desktop.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup fat free sour cream
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Coat a 9-inch square cake pan with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to mix.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the sour cream, vegetable oil, and applesauce. Stir to combine.
- Add the applesauce mixture to the flour mixture. Stir until the ingredients are combined. Do not beat the batter.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake until warm or room temperature.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Don’t Overmix the Batter – Stop stirring once the wet and dry ingredients are combined. Mixing too much can make the cake dense. Check Near the End of Baking – Start checking the center around the 40-minute mark since oven temperatures can vary. Let the Cake Cool Before Cutting – Give the cake time to set before slicing. Cutting it while it is very hot can make it crumble. Use Unsweetened Applesauce – Sweetened or flavored applesauce can change the sweetness and flavor of the cake.Storing
Store at Room Temperature – Place the cooled coffee cake in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. Store in the Refrigerator – Keep the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let individual pieces sit at room temperature briefly before serving if you prefer a softer texture. Freeze – Wrap individual slices well and place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.Nutrition
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