Small Batch Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake

Looking for a delicious single-layer cake that will satisfy your dessert needs? This is your lucky day! This Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake is moist, flavorful, and oh yes, chocolate-y too! Serve it plain or glazed, and offer whipped cream for those who are really celebrating!

This is a small batch version of one of our favorites! 

This spicy applesauce spice and chocolate chip cake has become a favorite around here! And especially for my hubby who loves everything and anything chocolate or with chocolate as part of the flavor. Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake is dense (in the very best way possible!), moist with applesauce, and flavored with spices and of course, those chocolate chips. I have the companion recipe for this small batch version in my files for so many years, and have baked it countless times. 

If recipe redevelopment were a test, this cake gets an A+.

This cake has been transformed three times in my kitchen. Years ago I came across the original recipe over at Nobel Pig. And just like her cake, my cake was too stubborn to come out of the pan! As with her cake, my Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake did not go to waste! We ate every bite. Proof that looks don't really matter when there is a delicious cake involved! 

Yep, three transformations. And so worth it!

The first transformation was to trick the batter into allowing the chocolate chips to stay suspended, and it worked. Because previously the chocolate chips had fallen to the bottom of the pan, and that made getting the cake out in one piece, darn near impossible! And honestly, it still did not come out in one piece! But the trick did work to have a cake that had not fallen apart. And from there, I made Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake into the most delicious whole wheat cake, we had ever eaten!  

This small batch version is not only delicious, but easier to make.

And now this latest transformation is for this single-layer cake for everyone to enjoy. Plus it is perfect for our smaller family needs. And I am proud to say, absolutely nothing was lost in this transformation! It is still dense (in the best possible way!), moist from the applesauce, and flavored just right with the spices. And trust me, I did not forget about the chocolate chips! One thing has remained through all three transformations, this is a saucepan cake. You simply melt some butter, dump in a few more ingredients, and stir...so what are you waiting for?

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

• butter
• oil
• sugar
• applesauce
• vanilla
• egg
• whole wheat flour
• baking soda
• cinnamon
• cardamom
• ground cloves
• ground pepper (yep, don't leave this out!)
• salt
• cocoa
• chocolate chips

You will also need the following:

• medium-sized saucepan
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups
• layer cake pan
• whisk
• silicone spatula
• pan spray 

or 

• parchment paper

Now we are ready to begin!

Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake
adapted from: Noble Pig. 
350-degree oven

UPDATED: 11.16.2023

1/4 c butter melted and cooled
1/4 c oil
3/4 c sugar
1 t vanilla
3/4 c applesauce
1 egg

1 13/4 c whole wheat flour - (use slightly rounded measures for whole wheat flour)
1/2 t soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t cardamom
1/8 t ground cloves
1/8 t ground pepper
1/4 t salt
2 t cocoa

1 c chocolate chips

Place butter into a medium-sized saucepan, begin melting over medium heat.

When almost melted, remove the pan from the burner, the butter will continue to melt. When melted, add oil, sugar, and vanilla.

Stir well. Add egg, and the applesauce whisking well.

Add whole wheat flour, soda, salt, cocoa, and spices. Beat well with the whisk.

Spoon 3-4 spoonsful of batter into the bottom of a prepared 8 or 9-inch layer pan, spread evenly to coat the bottom completely.

Stir chocolate chips into the remaining batter, in the saucepan.

Spoon batter gently and evenly over the bottom of the layer pan.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until done in your oven.

Remove let cool 8-10 minutes.

Carefully turn out onto a serving plate. Let cool completely. 

Serve plain, or with a glaze. Whipped cream is always desired!

We usually serve this slice of heaven with a bit of whipped cream. But should you need something a bit more festive for say, a birthday, here is the perfect chocolate glaze to pour over the top...

Boiled Fudge Glaze
adapted from cooks.com

2 T butter
2 T milk
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c chocolate chips
1/2 t vanilla

Bring butter, milk, and sugar to a simmer while stirring constantly. 

Let simmer for about 1 minute. 

Remove from heat, stir in chocolate chips and vanilla. 

Continue stirring to melt the chocolate chip. 

Immediately pour over the top of the cake. Gently spread to the edges if desired.

Important: this glaze sets up very quickly, you will leave "spreading" marks if not careful. But never fear, the taste will be marvelous!

Storage options for Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake. Covered loosely the cake will keep well at room temperature for up to two days. After two days it would be best to store it in the refrigerator. I do not recommend freezing this cake if glazed.

 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Small Batch Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake has been included below. 

You may also enjoy: 

Honey and Applesauce Cake.

#WholeWheatThat’sGoodToEat!

#wholefoodingredients

#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

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Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake
adapted from: Noble Pig. 
350-degree oven

UPDATED: 11.16.2023

1/4 c butter melted and cooled
1/4 c oil
3/4 c sugar
1 t vanilla
3/4 c applesauce
1 egg

1 13/4 c whole wheat flour - (use slightly rounded measures for whole wheat flour)
1/2 t soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t cardamom
1/8 t ground cloves
1/8 t ground pepper
1/4 t salt
2 t cocoa

1 c chocolate chips

Place butter into a medium-sized saucepan, begin melting over medium heat.

When almost melted, remove the pan from the burner, the butter will continue to melt. When melted, add oil, sugar, and vanilla.

Stir well. Add egg, and the applesauce whisking well.

Add whole wheat flour, soda, salt, cocoa, and spices. Beat well with the whisk.

Spoon 3-4 spoonsful of batter into the bottom of a prepared 8 or 9-inch layer pan, spread evenly to coat the bottom completely.

Stir chocolate chips into the remaining batter, in the saucepan.

Spoon batter gently and evenly over the bottom of the layer pan.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until done in your oven.

Remove let cool 8-10 minutes.

Carefully turn out onto a serving plate. Let cool completely. 

Serve plain, or with a glaze. Whipped cream is always desired!

We usually serve this slice of heaven with a bit of whipped cream. But should you need something a bit more festive for say, a birthday, here is the perfect chocolate glaze to pour over the top...

Boiled Fudge Glaze
adapted from cooks.com

2 T butter
2 T milk
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c chocolate chips
1/2 t vanilla

Bring butter, milk, and sugar to a simmer while stirring constantly. 

Let simmer for about 1 minute. 

Remove from heat, stir in chocolate chips and vanilla. 

Continue stirring to melt the chocolate chip. 

Immediately pour over the top of the cake. Gently spread to the edges if desired.

Important: this glaze sets up very quickly, you will leave "spreading" marks if not careful. But never fear, the taste will be marvelous!

Storage options for Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake. Covered loosely the cake will keep well at room temperature for up to two days. After two days it would be best to store it in the refrigerator. I do not recommend freezing this cake if glazed.

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