Old Virginia Applesauce Cake Recipe

Old Virginia Applesauce Cake is a moist, dense spice cake made with applesauce, warm spices, and often raisins and nuts. Applesauce gives the cake its soft texture and helps keep it moist. Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sometimes allspice add a deep, spiced flavor. Many versions include chopped walnuts or pecans and raisins for texture and sweetness. The old Virginia applesauce cake is usually baked in a bundt or tube pan. These ingredients and methods give the cake its rich flavor and traditional style.

This old Virginia applesauce cake recipe is often linked to family gatherings and holidays. It has been part of American home baking since the early 1900s. Many families pass down their versions through generations. The cake became more popular after it appeared on The Waltons TV show, where the character Olivia Walton baked it. Today, Old Virginia Applesauce Cake remains a simple, familiar dessert with strong ties to home and tradition.

Old Virginia Applesauce Cake Ingredients

To make Old Virginia Applesauce Cake Recipe, you will need:

• 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• 1 cup raisins (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Old Virginia Applesauce Cake?

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Old Virginia Applesauce Cake From Scratch:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a Bundt or tube pan.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine applesauce, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Step 4: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until fully combined.

Step 5: Fold in nuts and raisins, if using. Mix gently.

Step 6: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Step 7: Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool the cake in the pan for 10–15 minutes. Then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. Serve plain or dusted with powdered sugar.

Tips for Making Old Virginia Applesauce Cake

1. Use unsweetened applesauce for better control over sweetness. Sweetened versions may make the cake too sugary.
2. Bring eggs to room temperature before mixing. This helps them blend evenly into the batter.
3. Do not overmix the batter. Stir just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense and heavy.
4. Soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes if they seem dry. This keeps them soft and prevents them from pulling moisture from the cake.

Troubleshooting Old Virginia Applesauce Cake

• If the cake is dry, you may have overbaked it or used too much flour. Check your measuring method; use the spoon-and-level technique for flour. Also, make sure to use enough applesauce for moisture.
• If the cake is too dense or heavy, overmixing the batter can cause this. Mix only until ingredients combine. Using old baking powder or soda can also reduce leavening; use fresh.

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Old Virginia Applesauce Cake

Old Virginia Applesauce Cake is a moist, dense spice cake made with applesauce, warm spices, nuts, and raisins. It has deep Southern roots and is often baked in a bundt pan. This traditional recipe, passed down through generations, remains popular for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 1 Cake

Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

• Bundt pan or tube pan (10-inch recommended)
• Mixing bowls (at least two: one for wet ingredients, one for dry)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Cooling rack
• Toothpick or cake tester
• Oven mitts

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups brown sugar packed
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
• 1 cup raisins optional
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt or tube pan.
• In a large bowl, combine applesauce, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until fully combined.
• Fold in nuts and raisins, if using. Mix gently.
• Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool the cake in the pan for 10–15 minutes. Then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Serve plain or dusted with powdered sugar.

Keyword old virginia applesauce cake

Old Virginia Applesauce Cake is a timeless dessert that combines moist applesauce with warm spices and wholesome ingredients. Its dense texture and rich flavor make it perfect for family gatherings and special occasions. Simple to prepare and full of tradition, this cake brings a comforting taste of the South to any table.