This quick and simple recipe for Applesauce Cake will brighten a relaxing autumn afternoon lunch while still exciting the kids. The cake is a one-layer confection made with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry (such as butter, sugar, and applesauce). Best of all, it can be whipped up fast and served in less than an hour. Because there's no frosting, you don't even need to wait for the cake to fully cool. It really is that easy. Add it to your list of party cake recipes!

Ingredients

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup applesauce

Instructions

1.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan all over (including the bottom and the sides). Set aside.
2.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars (white and brown) until smooth. Add the egg and beat until well combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl, as necessary. Scrape in the seeds of the vanilla bean (or add the vanilla extract) and mix briefly to distribute. Don't remove the bowl from the stand mixer yet.
3.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

4.
With the stand mixer running on its lowest setting, add the flour mixture one spoonful at a time until it is fully incorporated into the wet mixture. Add the applesauce and mix to combine.
5.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it out so that it's evenly distributed.

6.
Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7.
Let cool before serving flipping the pan to remove the cake. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, if desired.

Tips

• Want to make removing the cake from the pan a cinch? Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit into the bottom before pouring in the batter. The cake will come right out.
• This is a sweet cake that doesn't need much embellishment, but if desired, you can serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Homemade applesauce is delicious in this cake, but if you don't have any, pick some up at the store. You can also substitute blended applesauces (such as berry applesauce) to change up the flavor of the cake.