Spiced, flavorful and so delicious this Vintage Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake is a quick and easy recipe that is moist, gooey and completely wonderful.

If you know anything about me, then you know that I love vintage and old fashioned recipes. Recipes that have been passed down over the years.

My grandmother was a huge baker and I was gifted with tons of her hand written recipes after she passed away. One thing I will forever appreciate.

This Vintage Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake was one of the cake recipes she made for my dad a lot when they were younger, they gobbled it up.

I can see why! You would think that applesauce and chocolate chip is a weird pairing but oh no, they go together so well that once you try it you won’t want to stop.

Once you try this Applesauce Cake you will come to an appreciation for these old desserts and how daring they got with their flavors because they absolutely are some of the best.

This one has to be one that I really love and make during the fall. Everything about it is just great, it is a nice snack cake that is chewy, gooey and not overpowering in flavor.

Some of my other favorite old fashioned or vintage recipes we have on our site include: Grandma’s Butterscotch Cake, Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cake and Tomato Soup Cake.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Everything is made in one bowl so clean up is a breeze.
The chocolate chips in this cake really make it nice a gooey.
This can be eaten plain or topped with powdered sugar.

INGREDIENTS NDED (FULL RECIPE AT BOTTOM):

Applesauce
Light brown sugar
Unsalted butter
All-purpose flour
Cocoa powder
Baking soda
Salt
Ground cloves
Nutmeg
Allspice
Cinnamon
Raisins
Chocolate chips
Pecans

HOW TO MAKE THIS VINTAGE CHOCOLATE CHIP APPLESAUCE CAKE, STEP BY STEP:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch or 11×7-inch baking pan (depending on how thick you want the cake), set aside.
In a large mixing bowl add the applesauce, sugar, and butter and mix well using an electric hand mixer or spoon.
Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix well into a smooth batter.
Add in the raisins, pecan/walnuts, and chocolate chips. (Leave enough out for the topping (about ¼ cup))
Beat into cake batter until combined.
Sprinkle the remaining nuts, chocolate chips, and raisins on top of the cake in pan.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick or knife comes out clean.
Let cool on a wire rack, cut and serve. Enjoy!

DO I NEED TO ADD THE MIX-INS?

If you don’t want to add in the raisins, chocolate chips or nuts you do not have to. Without these you will still have a nice spiced Applesauce Cake.

Or you can add in the mix-ins that you like. We really like them all in there as this is how it was made back in the day and love th flavor and texture.

But you can mix and match on what you’d like to add to this cake to fit your flavor needs.

WHAT CAN I TOP THIS WITH?

Traditionally this is served just as is, but we do like to add a bit of powdered sugar to the top just to give it a little contrast and more flavor.

Other options would be a dollop of whipped cream or a nice big scoop of vanilla ice cream as well.

If there is something else that you think would work well as a topping then by all means add it! I’m never against people adding things to recipes to make them better.

WHAT KIND OF APPLESAUCE SHOULD I USE?

We use regular applesauce for this recipe but you can use unsweetened applesauce as well if you would rather more of the spice flavors to come through.

I would not add cinnamon applesauce as this will overpower the spices in the cake and possibly make it a little overwhelming in flavor.

HOW TO STORE:

This Applesauce Cake can be stored in an airtight container or in pan wrapped with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days.

This cake can also be frozen, to do that let it completely cool and then cover in pan or transfer slices to an airtight container and it should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let defrost at room temperature before serving.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

This can made in a 9×13-inch or a 7×11-inch baking pan depending on how thick you want your slices.
You can use sweetened or unsweetened applesauce, we usually use sweetened.
Walnuts can be substituted for pecans.
You can choose to leave out any of the mix-ins if you just want a spiced applesauce cake.
Top with powdered sugar, whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Any of your favorite chocolate chips can be used, we use semi-sweet.

If you want a tasty, fun, flavorful cake then you have to whip up this Vintage Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake!

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If you’ve tried this VINTAGE CHOCOLATE CHIP APPLESAUCE CAKE or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and what shenanigans I’m getting into!

Laurie Goodwin

December 2, 2023 at 1:23 pm

I’ve made this twice because it’s a simple recipe and doesn’t call for eggs. I had to substitute spices for pumpkin pie spice mix and it turned out great. I also added real vanilla the 2nd time. It didn’t make much of a difference though.
Cake is very moist and good. I only used the chocolate chips.

Vintage Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake