Description
A tender, warmly spiced applesauce honey cake with a moist crumb. Bake it as two full-size loaves, six mini loaves, or one Bundt cake for Rosh Hashanah, fall gatherings, homemade gifts, or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the pans
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans or six mini loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon together in a large mixing bowl.
- Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and honey at medium-high speed until creamy and lighter in texture.
- Add the eggs one at a time and beat until fully combined.
- Mix in the unsweetened applesauce.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix only until no dry streaks remain.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans, using about 3 cups per large loaf pan or 1 cup per mini loaf pan.
- Bake large loaves for 35 to 45 minutes or mini loaves for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the cakes in their pans for 10 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the cakes to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing, wrapping, or storing.
Notes
- The recipe makes two 9-by-5-inch loaves, six 3-by-5-inch mini loaves, or one Bundt cake.
- Place disposable mini loaf pans on a baking sheet for steadier handling and more even baking.
- Do not remove the loaves from their pans while hot because the tender cakes may break.
- For deeper honey flavor and a softer crumb, wrap the cooled cake and let it rest for 1 to 2 days before serving.
- Store tightly wrapped cake at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.
- Freeze a tightly wrapped whole loaf or individual slices for up to 3 months.
- Clover, wildflower, and orange blossom honey all work well.
- Bake mailing gifts in disposable foil pans, double-wrap them, and ship only during cool weather.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Jewish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 354
- Sugar: 41
- Sodium: 288
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 67
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 48