Applesauce and Spice Chocolate Chip Cake, whole grain delicious!

You will definitely want to make this moist, delicious, spicy Applesauce and Spice Chocolate Chip Cake! It is perfect to share with family and friends, for holidays or any day of the week! Oh and did I mention it is made with whole wheat flour? Not to worry it is still tender and delicious. Come on, what are you waiting for?

We have enjoyed this cake for years, and years!

We have been enjoying Applesauce and Spice Chocolate Chip Cake for years. There is a unique richness with the applesauce, spices and chocolate. But I won't lie, the first time I made it, it came out of the Bundt pan in pieces. Lots of pieces! Delicious to eat, but a mess to look at! It was an impossible challenge to remove it from the Bundt pan in one piece, still attractive enough to display. But I came up with a solution. Because who wants to work hard at making a cake that is not picture perfect as well as ready to serve to family and friends?

This favorite that was one of the first to convert to whole wheat flour.

This was one of the first recipes of all our favorites that I made using whole wheat flour. And I have to tell you if anything it is more delicious in whole grain form! Moist, tender, and still delicious in that satisfying chocolate and spice style! With that statement, there was only one thing to do, share the recipe for Applesauce and Spice Chocolate Chip Cake, with all you...plus I love this part. This cake needs no mixer! Simply mix by hand, layer the batter into the pan, and bake.

A nice little plus about this cake, is that you do NOT need a mixer...

Speaking for myself, I love recipes that I refer to as "wooden spoon" recipes. This recipe as written makes a full-sized Bundt cake. Perfect for anytime you need and want cake! Such as holidays, and family gatherings. Because Applesauce and Spice Chocolate Chip Cake is so moist, feel free to make it up a day or two before your gathering. Another plus! And like most desserts that I share, while it is delicious all on its own, a little whipped cream (or ice cream!) is perfect on the side.

Some thoughts on this recipe:

Do follow the instructions for layering the cake batter, you will thank me later when the cake comes out of the pan, in one piece!

Do not be concerned about the flavor combination of spice and chocolate. I wasn't certain I would like it, but once I tasted this cake, I was sold.

And lastly, do use the fresh ground black pepper!

If you think you would like a smaller version, you will find this recipe for Applesauce Spice Chocolate Chip Cake is just what you need!

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

whole wheat pastry flour
butter
oil
applesauce
eggs
sugar
vanilla
dry cocoa
baking soda
cardamom
cinnamon
salt
cloves
fresh ground black pepper
chocolate chips

You will also need the following:

Bundt pan
measuring cups
measuring spoons
mixing spoon
silicone spatula
large-sized saucepan
medium-sized mixing bowl
soup ladle

Now we are ready to begin!

Whole Grain Applesauce and Spice Chocolate Chip Cake
adapted from: Nobel Pig
350-degree oven

UPDATED: 03.22.2024

1 stick butter
1/2 c oil
2 c applesauce
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1 1/2 c sugar

2 3/4 c whole wheat pastry flour
1 T dry cocoa
2 t soda
2 t cinnamon
1 t cardamom
1 t salt
1/4-1/2 t ground cloves, if you love cloves use the larger measure
1/4-1/2 t fresh ground pepper, (don't leave this out), if you love heat, use the full measure

2 c chocolate chips

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, set the saucepan aside for the butter and the pan to cool.

In a medium-sized bowl combine the whole wheat flour, cocoa, soda, spices, and salt. Whisk to mix well.

When the butter has cooled, add the oil, applesauce, and sugar. Mix well.

Add the dry ingredients to the applesauce mixture, stirring until smooth. Make sure there are no dry pockets or wet pockets, remaining in the batter.

Prepare the Bundt pan for baking, by buttering and flouring the inside surface.

Using a ladle, add 2 ladles of the cake batter to the bottom of the Bundt pan. Pick up the pan, tilt, and rotate to evenly coat the bottom of the pan with the cake batter.

Stir the chocolate chips into the remaining batter in the mixing bowl.

Spoon the batter evenly into the Bundt pan (Important: Do not pour, this might disturb the plain batter and allow chocolate chips to sink to the bottom of the pan.). Trust me on this tip...

Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until done in your oven. This cake should have a little "pulling away" from the side of the pan, as evidence that it is completely baked.

Remove from oven, let cool in the pan for 15 - 20 minutes. Carefully loosen the cake edges from the pan, turn out onto a wire rack, or clean toweling to cool.

Let cool completely before Sprinkling a bit of powdered sugar over the top.

Storage options for Applesauce and Spice Chocolate Chip Cake. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or in a cake stand and store for up to three days at room temperature. Store in the refrigerator for a longer storage time. You may freeze this cake, do expect some change in texture when thawed.

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