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Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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.


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake, easy to make!

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


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake, this is one easy cake to make!

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


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake.

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.


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake, use this layering trick to keep the chocolate chips from falling to the bottom!

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


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake, stirring in the chocolate chips!

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


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake, ready to bake.


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake

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


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake, fresh from the oven.

Remove let cool 8-10 minutes.


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake!

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

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


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake

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


Featured recipe at: 
Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake featured at Miz Helen's Country Kitchen.
Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at Full Plate Thursday Link-up!


Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake featured at Simply Sweet Home.
Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at Friday Favorites Link-up!

Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at Crazy Little Love Birds Link Party.
Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at Crazy Little Love Birds Link Party. 


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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.

~~~~

Would you like to comment?

  1. Looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party. Hope you have a great week and are staying warm.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. Thank you! I appreciate you visiting and leaving a comment. Have a great week ahead!

      Delete
  3. oh yummy my grandmother made an applesauce cake but I can not recall if there were chocolate chips in hers or not... it sounds great to me and she was a great cook so there may have been
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I first saw this recipe, I was skeptical, but it is delicious! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

      Delete
  4. Looks wonderful. I do like chocolate and chocolate chip cake but I love whipped cream and that fudge icing! amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The chocolate chips do not compete for the flavor, it all comes together deliciously! Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate it.

      Delete
  5. Sounds so good, you!! Thanks so much for linking up with me at the Unlimited Monthly Link Party 22. Shared!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Dee! I appreciate sharing with Grammy's Grid unlimited monthly party! Have a wonderful week ahead.

      Delete
  6. Mmmm - A Sunday morning on the deck with coffee food. Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party. Enjoy the rest of your week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Helen, I appreciate sharing with you at What's For Dinner!

      Delete
  7. Your cake sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing at Friday Favorites. I'm featuring you this week!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Replies
    1. This is one of our favorites! My hubby in particular loves the glaze...thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

      Delete
  9. Congratulations, your post has been featured on Full Plate Thursday,526 and we pinned it to our features board. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for sharing with us at the Creatively Crafty Link Party. We hope to see you again on Thursday for a new part. #CCBG

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your awesome post is featured on Full Plate Thursday, 669 Thanksgiving Edition. Thanks so much for sharing at the party with us, we will hope to see you again real soon! Wishing you and your family a bountiful Thanksgiving!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  12. The cake sounds delicious! Thank you so much for joining Fiesta Friday party! Hope to see you next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Juhls, thank you and thanks for hosting Fiesta Friday, such a wonderful place to find new and delicious recipes!

      Delete
  13. Melynda, thank you for sharing your recipe with us at The Crazy Little Love Birds link party #14. I'm happy to let you know that it will be featured this Friday! Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete

Comments always appreciated, at Scratch Made Food! Thank you for stopping by!