Ina Garten’s Applesauce Cake with Bourbon Raisins Recipe Full of Flavor

Applesauce cake transforms ordinary ingredients into a magical autumn experience that warms your kitchen with incredible aromas.

Sweet and comforting, this nostalgic dessert captures memories of family gatherings and cozy weekend afternoons.

Soft, moist textures mingle with warm spices that dance across your palate like gentle whispers of comfort.

Golden raisins soaked in smooth bourbon add sophisticated depth to the classic cake’s traditional profile.

Rich flavors intertwine through carefully balanced ingredients, creating a dessert that feels both familiar and surprising.

Each slice promises a delightful journey through layers of warmth and sweetness that nourish both body and soul.

Bakers seeking a crowd-pleasing treat will find this recipe irresistibly tempting: prepare to fall in love.

What Goes Into This Moist, Boozy Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking flour with perfect texture for a soft, tender cake.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates a light, airy structure.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cloves: Warm spices that provide deep, cozy autumn flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Rich base that provides moisture and smooth cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that create depth and caramel-like undertones.
• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavoring that adds aromatic sweetness.
• Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural fruity sweetness to the cake.

• Bourbon: Adds sophisticated depth and softens raisins.
• Raisins: Chewy dried fruit that brings natural sweetness.
• Pecans: Provides crunch and nutty complexity to the cake texture.

Bake the Ultimate Applesauce Dessert

Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Pan

Warm the oven to 350°F. Generously coat a 9-inch round cake pan with butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Butter the paper and dust with flour, tapping out any excess.

Step 2: Soak The Raisins

• Raisins
• Bourbon

Microwave for 30 seconds. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes, allowing raisins to absorb the bourbon’s rich flavor.

Step 3: Cream Butter And Sugars

• Butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Mix for 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides as needed.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs And Vanilla

Add vanilla extract and eggs one at a time. Mix on medium speed until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Blend Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Salt

Step 6: Combine Wet And Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 7: Add Moisture And Texture

• Applesauce
• Bourbon-soaked raisins (with remaining liquid)
• Chopped pecans

Use a rubber spatula to incorporate ingredients evenly.

Step 8: Bake The Cake

Transfer batter to the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 40-45 minutes. The cake is ready when the top springs back and a cake tester comes out clean.

Step 9: Cool The Cake

Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 30 minutes. Carefully turn out onto a cooling rack. Let it cool completely with the rounded side facing up.

Step 10: Frost And Finish

Spread Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting only on the top of the cake. Leave the sides bare. Garnish with whole pecan halves. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Tips to Get a Rich Texture & Spiced Flavor

• Boost Raisin Flavor: Soak raisins in bourbon for at least 15 minutes to infuse deep, rich taste and create plump, juicy texture that enhances the entire cake.
• Embrace Room Temperature: Pull out butter and eggs 30-60 minutes before baking to ensure smooth mixing and create a lighter, more tender cake crumb.
• Gentle Mixing Matters: Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined, preventing tough cake texture and maintaining delicate, soft consistency.
• Perfect Doneness Test: Use the toothpick method by inserting it into cake's center; clean or minimal crumbs indicate the cake is perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.
• Cooling Technique: Allow cake to rest in pan for 30 minutes, which helps structure set and makes removing and frosting significantly easier without breaking.

Store Applesauce Cake for Later

• Counter Storage: Leave the cake uncovered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Place it on a cake stand with a loose-fitting dome lid to maintain moisture and prevent drying. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve its texture and flavor.
• Refrigerator Method: Seal the cake in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap before storing to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness. Consume within 5 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Freezer Preservation: Slice the cake before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and contents. Frozen cake remains delicious for up to 3 months when properly stored.

Cake Variants You’ll Want to Try Next

• Rustic Apple Brandy Spice Cake: Replace bourbon with apple brandy for a deeper fruit-forward flavor. Swap pecans with toasted walnuts to enhance the autumnal profile.
• Maple Glazed Harvest Cake: Substitute brown sugar with pure maple syrup. Add a maple cream cheese glaze instead of traditional frosting. Sprinkle candied pecans on top for extra crunch.
• Gluten-Free Orchard Cake: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour. Add ground almonds for texture. Include diced dried apples alongside the raisins to intensify the apple essence.
• Vegan Autumn Comfort Cake: Replace eggs with mashed ripe bananas. Use vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese for frosting. Incorporate coconut sugar for deeper caramel notes.

Final Forkful on This Cozy Cake

Ina Garten’s applesauce cake weaves bourbon-kissed raisins and warm spices into an irresistible autumn masterpiece.

Comforting layers of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves dance alongside rich applesauce and toasted pecans.

Bourbon-infused raisins provide unexpected depth, elevating this classic dessert beyond ordinary boundaries.

Cream cheese frosting crowns the cake with luxurious smoothness, creating a sensory experience that whispers sophisticated comfort.

Complex flavors mingle harmoniously, promising a slice of pure indulgence.

Your taste buds will celebrate – share this recipe, spread the joy, spark conversation, and let culinary magic inspire fellow bakers.

Why Applesauce Cake With Bourbon Raisins Wins Fans

• Boozy Raisin Infusion: Microwave bourbon-soaked raisins create an extraordinary flavor burst that elevates the entire cake, adding a sophisticated adult twist to a classic dessert.
• Texture Paradise: The combination of soft, moist applesauce with crunchy pecans delivers a delightful contrast in every single bite, ensuring each mouthful is exciting and complex.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Wow: This cake requires simple mixing techniques and straightforward ingredients, making it achievable for bakers of all skill levels while producing a stunning result that looks professionally made.
• Versatile Celebration Companion: Perfect for autumn gatherings, holiday parties, or casual weekend treats, this cake transitions smoothly between casual and elegant settings with its rustic yet refined presentation.

Ina Garten Applesauce Cake With Bourbon Raisins Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s applesauce cake combines classic comfort with sophisticated bourbon-soaked raisins. Warm spices and rich applesauce create a moist, elegant dessert that delights with complex layers of flavor, inviting you to savor each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups unsweetened applesauce
• 10 tablespoons (1¼ sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 extra-large eggs
• ¾ cup golden raisins
• ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Additional Garnish:

• Whole pecan halves
• Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 180°C / 350°F. Thoroughly coat a 23 cm / 9 × 2-inch round cake pan with butter, line with parchment paper, then generously butter and dust with flour, carefully removing excess flour.
2. Macerate the raisins by combining them with bourbon in a small bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then allow to rest for 15 minutes, enabling the raisins to absorb the liquid completely.
3. Create a smooth butter mixture using an electric mixer with paddle attachment. Blend butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and voluminous. Periodically scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure even mixing.
4. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract gradually. Add each egg individually at medium speed, ensuring smooth integration after each addition.
5. Prepare the dry ingredient blend by whisking flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a separate medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
6. Merge wet and dry ingredients by slowly adding the flour mixture to the butter-egg base. Mix on low speed until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
7. Enhance the batter by stirring in applesauce. Gently fold the bourbon-soaked raisins (including residual liquid) and chopped pecans into the mixture using a rubber spatula.
8. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes, checking for doneness by lightly pressing the top (it should spring back) and inserting a cake tester into the center (it should come out clean).
9. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 30 minutes, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack. Position the cake rounded side up and permit complete cooling.
10. Finish the cake by spreading Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting exclusively on the top, leaving the sides exposed. Garnish with whole pecan halves as desired. Serve at ambient temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Grab softened butter and eggs straight from the counter to ensure a light, airy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stopping the moment everything looks perfectly combined to keep the cake tender.
• Allow the freshly baked cake to rest in its pan for half an hour, giving it time to settle and become easier to remove without falling apart.
• Spread the luscious Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting only on top, leaving the rustic sides exposed for a charming, homemade appearance.
• Crown your masterpiece with whole pecan halves, creating a delightful crunch and visual appeal that will make mouths water.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 of 8 servings
• Calories: 533
• Sugar: 51.9g
• Sodium: 35.5mg
• Fat: 21.8g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 77.5g
• Fiber: 2.7g
• Protein: 5.5g
• Cholesterol: 25.75mg