The last apple coffee cake was so good I had to make another one. This is a dark, soft, tight crumbed loaf pan applesauce cake with caramel icing. Update: I also now make it as an Instant Pot applesauce cake. The Instant Pot directions are at the end.
Originally from Food 52, I changed a Bundt cake version to loaf pan form. It's terrific, and the caramel icing is fool-proof. Also, it freezes well -- at least before you ice it. I made this yesterday, froze it, unwrapped it and iced it before serving.
As for the applesauce, I used homemade unsweetened. That sounds like a lot of work, but basically all you do is boil some chopped apples with water and a little lemon juice, then mash.
Instant Pot Applesauce Cake
I recently bought an Instant Pot sized fluted pan and have been making the cake in the Instant Pot. To make the cake in an instant pot, follow the directions as written, but put in an Instant Pot sized fluted pan. Put the trivet in the pot, add 1 ½ cups of boiling water (I just microwave it), and set the cake pan on the trivet. Close the pot, adjust the valve to the middle and set time for 33 minutes. Allow a 15 minute release time. The Instant Pot applesauce cake will be a little shaky and maybe appear too moist when you first take it out, but it settles as it cools.
Recipe
Applesauce Loaf Cake with Caramel Icing
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (130 grams)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus a pinch
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce**
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Caramel Icing
- 2 tablespoons butter cut into chunks
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons heavy cream
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ to ½ cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
- Dash of vanilla optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8x4 inch loaf pan.
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, pepper and spices and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg with both sugars until light. Whisk in the applesauce, oil and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the dry ingredients. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 38 to 42 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes in the pan set on on a rack, then turn it out and let it cool completely.
- When cake is cool, put a piece of foil underneath the rack and make the glaze.
- Combine butter, brown sugar, cream and salt in a saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute, and then pull it off the heat.
- Leave the pan to cool for a couple of minutes (I did not do this), and then whisk or stir in just enough of the powdered sugar to get a pourable consistency. Add the vanilla if using. Immediately pour the glaze over the cake, Let the glaze set before serving the cake.
Anna says
Missy, next time I go to Trader Joe's I'll look for the Chicago mix. Thanks for the tip!
Missy in Austin says
Erin, Trader Joe's is carrying a Chicago popcorn mix. I haven't had Garrett's, so I don't know how it compares, but TJ's is pretty addictive.
Can't wait to try this and your other lunchbox applesauce cake!
Sonya says
This looks FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of my favorite types of dessert - well, if i"m being honest, there are dozens of desserts that I say that about - lol - but seriously, LOVE this style of dessert! The recipe I use is the Legacy Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting from King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking, but yours looks sooooo yummy and I love the loaf pan shape!
Erin says
Yes, I'd love to meet up with you in Chicago next time!
Thank you for pointing me to that article. That's got to be my problem-I've been trying to duplicate the recipe with powdered cheese. The stuff is crazy! I never want to eat it when I'm done. I can't get past the powdered cheese. Now I've got to try and retool the recipe with real sharp cheddar. I didn't even know you could make cheese popcorn with melted cheese. Thanks for the tip!
Anna says
Hey, come back to Chicago! Say hello when you are here. As for the cheese, you are going to send me down a rabbit hole reading about cheese popcorn. There are tons of Garrett's clones out there. I thought this article was interesting.
https://buckycheeses.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/garrett-popcorn-shops/
Erin says
Anna, OK, the first cake it is. It might have to wait a few days now, since some little person in my house really needed some pumpkin chocolate chip bread. We'll finish that first.
As for the cheese popcorn, I acknowledge that it's kind of a wonky treat. Powdered cheese? I wouldn't deign to eat it in its other forms, but there is something magical about the Chicago Mix. I hope you get to try it soon. I'm considering ordering some for my siblings for Christmas. We recently took a trip to Chicago with all my siblings and nieces and nephews. It would be a fun way to celebrate the memory. Wow, this is turning into a novel.
Anna says
Debbie, that's awesome! Glad you liked it.
Erin, you should probably make the other one first since a couple of people have already validated it. I liked this one too, but that other one was really good for a humble coffee cake.
Wish I could help you with the Garrett's, but I haven't tried their cheese flavor.
debbie says
I made your apple cake that you posted last week!!! It was great! Think I will make the full version of it next time. It disappeared very quickly!
Erin says
Oh dear, now i don't know which apple cake to make first. Which one shall it be, Anna? Point me in the right direction and your answer will be tomorrow's after school snack.
PS I'm hoping you'll create a wonderful knock off of Garrett's Chicago Mix. The cheese popcorn is the one that I just can't get right. Any chance you might have a got at it?
I hope you are enjoying Chicago. It's one of the best!