Easy Applesauce and Caramel Cake
Recipe: #6832
October 22, 2012
Categories: Desserts, Apple, 5-Minute Prep, Labor Day, Potluck, Sunday Dinner, Thanksgiving, Oven Bake, Pudding Mix, Cake Mix, Canned Fruit, more
"If anyone knows me, they know ... I LOVE to cook, but baking ... is NOT my favorite. But, I love to find easy, inexpensive, but delicious quick recipes that I can make for entertaining. This uses simple pantry items, and makes a delicious, moist, and most of all - easy cake to prepare. And, NO icing for this cake - just a dusting of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of caramel sauce; and, if you want, some ice cream or whipped topping to finish it off. I make this in small loaf pans; but, you can easily make this as a layered cake, a sheet pan, bundt pan, tube pan, or even muffin/cupcakes - your choice."
Ingredients
Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (152.3 g)
- Calories 342.2
- Total Fat - 7.1 g
- Saturated Fat - 2.3 g
- Cholesterol - 107.1 mg
- Sodium - 444.8 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 62.9 g
- Dietary Fiber - 1.5 g
- Sugars - 1.2 g
- Protein - 7 g
- Calcium - 130.4 mg
- Iron - 1.5 mg
- Vitamin C - 0.9 mg
- Thiamin - 0.1 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Cake Mix ... Add the eggs, oil, water, applesauce, and spices to a large bowl and mix well. Then add in the cake mix and pudding and stir until everything is combined. You can use a hand or stand mixer, or you can mix by hand. Mix until everything is combined. About 4-5 minutes by hand, or 2-3 minutes by an electric mixer. You can follow package directions for mixing the cake.
Step 2
Bake ... You can use any type of pan you like, but I prefer to use small loaf pans. I also like to line the bottom with parchment paper and lightly spray the sides with a non-stick baking spray (with flour); or, you can grease and flour them yourselves. Pour the cake mix into the pan of your choice, and bake on the middle shelf in a 350 degree oven. Again, I line my pans with parchment, but it isn't necessary. Use whatever method you are comfortable with.
Step 3
Now, obviously cooking times will vary according to the pan you use. A bundt, tube, or full size loaf pan will take 40-55 minutes, but a sheet or round cake pan will take 20-30 minutes. Test by inserting a knife in the center of the cake; and, if it comes out clean, the cake is done. Use the baking times suggested on the back of the box as a guideline.
Step 4
Finish ... Once the cake is done, remove and cool about 10 minutes. Then, slide a knife around the edge to release the cake and flip on to a serving platter/plate. Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar.
Step 5
Serve ... Slice and plate. Drizzle with a caramel sauce (simply warmed up in the microwave), ice cream, or whipped topping. ENJOY!
Tips
No special items needed.