Today is National Applesauce Cake Day. National Applesauce Cake Day is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century. It was a popular dessert among rural families due to the availability of applesauce and other ingredients in local stores.

Applesauce is believed to have originated in Europe, where it has been consumed since the Middle Ages. Applesauce cakes were also popular in Europe during that time. Applesauce was brought to the United States in the late 17th century, and it quickly became a staple of American kitchens. Applesauce cake recipes appeared in early American cookbooks, and the dessert became a popular treat for everyday occasions and for special occasions like National Applesauce Cake Day.

The inspiration for applesauce cake likely comes from a combination of the availability of applesauce, the popularity of apple-based desserts, and a desire to create a dessert that was easy to make and affordable. Applesauce cake recipes traditionally call for few ingredients, and it is easy to customize the cake for different tastes. Applesauce cake is also an economical dessert as applesauce is usually inexpensive and readily available.

The earliest known recipe for applesauce cake is believed to have been published in an 1873 cookbook entitled The Applesauce Cake Cookbook. The cookbook included a recipe for applesauce cake that was a combination of applesauce, sugar, spices, and flour. The recipe has since been adapted and modified to include different ingredients like nuts, raisins, and spices.

The original recipe for applesauce cake from The Applesauce Cake Cookbook called for two cups of applesauce, one cup of sugar, three teaspoons of cinnamon, one teaspoon of nutmeg, one-half teaspoon of cloves, one cup of flour, and one-half cup of butter. The recipe instructed that the butter should be melted and mixed with the other ingredients before baking. The cake was then baked in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes. The recipe is detailed below:

Applesauce Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups applesauce
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon cloves
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, mix together applesauce, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. Add in the melted butter and mix until combined.
4. Gradually add the flour, stirring until combined.
5. Grease a 9-inch cake pan and pour the batter in.
6. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Let cool before serving.

According to a 2019 survey, applesauce cake was the third most popular cake flavor in the United States, behind chocolate and vanilla. Applesauce cake is also popular in other countries, such as Germany and Canada. So why not celebrate it today. Let us know in the comments if you have ever tried applesauce cake.