On Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, it’s traditional to eat honey cake and dip apples in honey, symbolizing the hope for a sweet new year. Baking this honey cake recipe is a tradition I began when my children were little. I make many loaves of Honey Applesauce Cake every year and share them with my family and friends.
Honey Applesauce Cake tastes like honey dipped apples. I adapted a recipe for applesauce bread by substituting honey for some of the granulated sugar.
The result is a moist, sweet cake that makes a great snack cake or dessert. The recipe makes two large loaves. Eat one and freeze the other, or give it away and sweeten someone’s day!
Though I have been making and gifting Honey Applesauce Cake for years, until this week I never stopped to think of what a great care package treat it is. I was sealing up six little loaves in a Monday Box for my son (one for him and the others for his apartment mates) when I realized that Honey Applesauce Cakes are especially well suited for care packages.
The loaves stay fresh for up to a week and are sturdy enough to travel well. They are best mailed during cool weather months due to the high moisture content of the cake.
ADDITIONAL SWEET HONEY RECIPES
For those of you who celebrate Rosh Hashanah, I wish you l’shana tova, a happy New Year. I wish everyone a year of health, happiness, and peace.
YOU MAY NEED THESE BAKING TOOLS
HONEY CAKE RECIPE
Honey and applesauce make this loaf cake moist and delicious. It is an ideal little loaf for gifting and care packages too!
Honey Applesauce Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
- ½ cup honey
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 ˚F. Lightly spray baking pans with cooking oil.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar, and honey.
- Add eggs. Beat until combined.
- Mix in applesauce.
- Gradually add flour mixture and beat just until incorporated.
- Pour evenly into pans (approximately 1 cup per mini pan or three cups per loaf pan). Mini loaf pans can be placed in the oven on a cookie sheet for more even baking and easy removal.
- Bake loaf pans for 35-45 minutes and mini pans for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- If removing the cakes from the pans, cool for 10 minutes in the pans before removing the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once completely cool, cakes should be wrapped in plastic wrap. Store at room temperature (or in the refrigerator) for 5-7 days
Packing Tips
Bake loaves in disposable foil pans. Keep the loaves in the pans for mailing. Double wrap in plastic wrap and place in a zip lock bag. Only ship Honey Applesauce Cakes to and from cool/cold temperatures.
Monday Box readers who enjoyed Honey Applesauce Cake also enjoyed these goodies! Click on the photo to get the recipe.
shannon says
Happy New Year to you, Wendy! I’m always jealous of your son’s care packages, but this one maybe more so than usual: your honey applesauce cake looks delicious, just based on the texture and what you throw in it. Beautiful!
themondaybox says
Thank you, Shannon! This little loaf is so easy to make and freezes well. I like having it around “just in case.” As in, “Just in case Shannon drops by for coffee, I will give her a slice!” 🙂
Sue G. says
Can I usesweetened applesauce and cut down on sugar to how much????
Wendy Sondov says
Hi Sue. I always use unsweetened applesauce. As for cutting down on sugar, I have never tried so what I would suggest is start by cutting out 1/4 cup (from a full recipe or 2 tablespoons from a half recipe). If that works and you want to cut more, try removing an additional 1/4 cup. Sugar not only sweetens but effects the moisture and texture of a baked good, which is why I would cut back in small amounts. Let me know what you discover if you give this a try!
chrisscheuer says
Hi Wendy! I know your son and all his friends were delighted when they opened their care package. Honey dipped apples sounds wonderful! Hope you’re doing well! 🙂
themondaybox says
Hi, Chris! This cake is a family favorite. Traditional honey cake can be a bit dry. The applesauce takes care of that in this recipe. I packed a big box with a variety of items (some of them heavy) in addition to the 6 little loaves. As much as he might like honey cake, my son was surprised to see the size of the box. Before he opened it, he called to ask if I really had sent him 19 pounds of honey cake!
I hope you and Scott are doing well! I have been enjoying reading about all of your travels!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
This cake looks so moist and flavorful, Wendy! I love using applesauce in cake – it lends such a nice, subtle flavor and plenty of moisture. 😀
themondaybox says
Thanks, Jess! This is the season of baking with apples, applesauce and apple butter! 🙂
saltandserenity says
Shana Tova Wendy. Wishing you and your family a sweet and healthy new year. I got a little excited at the farmer’s market this week and bought a bushel of apples. Some of them are sure to make their way into this loaf. T
themondaybox says
Shana Tova, Cindy! Wishing you and your family the best in the year to come! 🙂 This loaf has been a favorite at our High Holiday gatherings for years. Unlike most traditional honey cakes I have had, this one is (and stays) really moist. I must admit that I have never made it with homemade applesauce. If I could ever get my act together (I always seem to be rushing around on the Holidays) I would love to make enough applesauce to serve and to bake with. Perhaps if I pencil that plan onto my calendar now?
Paula Krieger says
Wendy, Hi I just wanted to let you know I made your recipe and gave three mini loaves to my friends at a girls crafting get together and have saved three loaves and frozen them to send to a soldier when I get a new one to support in the colder months. The small lick of batter I had from the mixer tasted great!
Paula K.
themondaybox says
I am so glad you are enjoying and gifting these wonderful loaves! You must have a lot of willpower to freeze or give them all away! 🙂 Because my family looks forward to Honey Applesauce Cake seasonally, I tend to forget what a great year round gift it makes. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂 I think the loaves will be a great addition to a cold weather military care package. In the cold you don’t have to worry about the moist loaf molding and the flavor of these cakes improves over time.
Allison says
I made these tonight. I had to up the time 15 more minutes. They were jiggley when I was took them out after 45 mins. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Love to try new wys to bake with applesauce. ?
The Monday Box says
Hi, Allison! I am glad you were able to troubleshoot the situation giving your cakes 15 extra minutes. They are worth it! The batter is very moist due to the applesauce. The baking time is very variable based on the size of the pan used and possible variations in oven temperature. I hope you love this loaf as much as we do. I have been baking and sharing Honey Applesauce Cake for many years. 🙂
Chanel says
Mm I just took mine out of the oven and can’t wait for breakfast tomorrow. I added raisins to my recipe
The Monday Box says
Hi, Chanel! I am so glad you tried the Honey Applesauce Cake! Thank you for taking the time to let me know! Doesn’t it smell wonderful while baking?! Raisins sound like a great addition. This cake improves in taste for several days after baking, so enjoy! 🙂
Goldie says
4 loaves (2 batches back to back) in the oven now.smells heavenly. I substituted margarine for the butter since my daughter is allergic to dairy. Thank you
The Monday Box says
Thank you, Goldie! I hope your family enjoys the cake! They freeze well too.
Robin Ayers says
This is a great applesauce cake! I have been dehydrating apples for the last couple weeks and I wanted to make an applesauce cake so I hit the net. I do the old fashioned applesauce stake cake but I wanted to do something different. I have to say, this is a really good cake that is not too sweet and very moist. I love it! I did make a couple of changes, I added a pinch of ginger, 1/4 teaspoon of allspice and nutmeg. On one pan I put dates, unsweetened coconut, and caramel peanuts on top before baking. I am very happy with the way it turned out. Also, I am on a low sugar diet so I used fructose instead of sugar and I cannot tell the difference!. By the way, warm applesauce on the top and a cup of coffee is a very good dessert, snack, snack again and breakfast!!
The Monday Box says
I am so glad you are enjoying the Honey Cake, Robin, and appreciate that you took the time to let me know!! I agree, that even when baked as written (without all of your yummy additions) this is a very moist cake. We love that the flavor improves over time and that the loaves stay fresh and delicious for so long! I often mention in my recipes that seasonal spices like nutmeg, allspice, and clove can be added. I personally don’t like them, so I just use cinnamon. Your topping turns this simple loaf into something special! Warm applesauce on top DOES sound great! (Just a side note: I come from a family of diabetics and I am hoping that you realize that fructose and white sugar sucrose are both simple sugars. You mention that you are on a low sugar diet and I don’t want the cake to make you unwell! 🙂 ) p.s. I was admiring your photography website. Your fall photos are breathtaking!
Daphne Bryson says
Good Afternoon Wendy, I am so pleased that you shared this lovely honey applesauce cake. It looks so very moist and a cake which I know my mother Phyllis will love. She lives in the south of England and I live in the north of England, so I was so pleased to read that it keeps for a week or so. It will allow me to post this lovely cake via the Royal Mail to my my mother.
I have saved the recipe and can’t wait to bake it.
Thank you once again.
Best Wishes
Daphne
The Monday Box says
Good Afternoon Daphne! It makes me smile to think of this honey cake making its way to your mother via the Royal Mail! This cake has been a special favorite of my family for years and I hope your mother will enjoy it very much. How lovely that you will be sending her some baked love! Thank you so much for letting me know.
Best Wishes
Wendy
Southern Food Junkie says
I love these quick bread like this. They are so good. Ive never had this certain one though. I came across your blog from the I should be mopping the floor blog from their inspiration Monday link party. Thanks for sharing.
Ronnie
Tracy @ Our Simple Homestead says
This is the perfect sentence to start this article…. Honey Applesauce Cake tastes like honey dipped apples… It definitely makes you want to try this recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
Erlene says
Sounds delicious and the perfect baked good to send in the mail to someone. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday. Pinned and will be featuring this in an apple round-up.
Miz Helen says
Your Applesauce Cake looks so moist and delicious! I really appreciate you sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you are having a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Julie says
This looks delicious, I’m trying this at the weekend. Your son and his friends are very lucky! Pinning
Maisy says
Drool! This sounds and looks SO amazing! Can you please send some over to me? 🙂
Happy Thursday!
The Monday Box says
I will be baking up a bunch of mini loaves this weekend for eating, gifting, mailing, and freezing. Yes, they ARE amazing. 🙂 Thanks, Maisy!
Sue cowan says
Recipe says 1/2 cup of butter 1 stick, 1/2 cup is 2 sticks which is it?
Wendy Sondov says
Hi, Sue. Sorry for the confusion. I will try to make the recipe more clear. 1 stick of butter in the US is the same as 1/2 cup. The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of butter which is the same as the recipe calling for 1 stick of butter in the US. Happy baking!
Janell says
I made the cake today and made one regular loaf and just two mini loaves as I like bigger loaves. It really is delicious but I get more honey flavor than apple. My homemade applesauce already had sugar so I put just one cup of sugar in. It is very moist and is even great with some butter spread on it!!! Techure is wonderful. I too will give the mini ones to friends. Thanks so much Wendy, my daughter’s name also!
Wendy Sondov says
Thank you, Janell! I am so glad you enjoyed the honey cake! I agree that the flavor is more honey and the applesauce is what adds the great texture and moisture to the loaf. I hope you will give it 5 stars.
Janell says
This honey applesauce cake is soooo moist and I know it’s the applesauce and the honey adds the great flavor! I might put golden raisins and walnuts in next time to see how it tastes but it’s wonderful on its own! Thank you, Wendy’s!
Judy says
Wendy what are the calorie, fat, sugar content in the honey applesauce bread?
Wendy Sondov says
Hi Judy. I am not qualified to give you exact amounts, however, when I input the ingredients into the nutrition calculator at https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076 (which you might find useful for all recipes) the results show that if the loaves are cut into 12 slices, each slice would have 353 calories, 8.8 grams of fat, and 41.9 grams of sugar (honey, granulated sugar, and fructose in applesauce are all sugars). I hope this is helpful. Happy baking!
Angela Perlitz says
Found this recipe the other day and since I had applesauce in the refrigerator, I decided I would try making this. OMG! This is an awesome recipe! After licking the spatula with the ingredients all mixed, I could hardly wait for the loaves to come out of the oven. My husband and I have decided this recipe is “a keeper”! Thanks so much for sharing and I will be making this again and again!
Wendy Sondov says
Hi, Angela! I am so glad you and your husband loved the Honey Applesauce Cake! It is definitely a keeper at my house, too 🙂 Thank you so much for reporting on your experience and giving this recipe 5 stars! Happy baking!
Bonnie says
Sounds great.Before I begin, wanted to double check that these can be frozen( will wrap it
well) after being baked and cooled.
Please reply ASAP! Ingredients are on my counter as I write this!
Wendy Sondov says
Absolutely can be frozen! I bake them once, freeze and then take out what I need first for Rosh Hashanah and then later for Break Fast. Go for it! Happy baking!
Bonnie says
Thank you Wendy!
Will try to let you know how they tun out.
Also, may I sub parve margarine for the butter?
Wendy Sondov says
I haven’t tried it with margarine, but I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t work and still be delicious with margarine. That is an answer I hope you will come back and let me know! 🙂 L’shana Tova!
Bonnie says
So I made the Honey Applesauce cakes this evening! Easy Peasy! Great step by step directions Wendy! I substituted parve margarine and it tasted great to me! Maybe butter would taste even better( as we all know “Everything is better with butter!” But this will work well for my guests and be better than butter since some are kosher and some are lactose intolerant!
I cut an end piece off one of the loaves and indulged! delicious!
They were cooled,removed from tins,wrapped, and are in the fridge tonight.Tomorrow they will move into the freezer!
Thank you so much for sharing and for your great consulting help!
You have some other terrific recipes and I look forward to trying them…and thank you sooo much for your quick turn around responses! That is something that I have not found to be consistent with some recipe authors on Pinterest!
Have a wonderful Holiday and an enjoyable Fall!
Wendy Sondov says
I am so glad your baking turned out as planned!! Good to know about the margarine if anyone should ask me in the future! Funny story is that I was baking these last night too! I am going to visit my son this weekend and asked if there was anything he particularly wanted in his Rosh Hashanah care package that I am bringing. He asked for mini loaves of this honey cake. One loaf to eat now and a couple to freeze for the holidays 🙂 Wishing you a healthy and sweet New Year! p.s. If you would give this recipe a 5 star rating I would appreciate it!
Bonnie says
Thank you! I will!
Karen says
How much whole wheat flour can I use in ratio to white flour? Whole wheat is more heavier and dense.
Wendy Sondov says
Karen, I have never made this cake with whole wheat flour. It is already a pretty heavy cake with the applesauce and honey. If you must sub some whole wheat flour, I would use something lighter like whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat and only sub 1/2 cup to start. Good luck!
Josie says
Thank you so much for sharing such an amazing, delicious & easy recipe! Great way to use my homemade apple sauce! The only thing I changed is I used 3/4 cup of white sugar instead of the quantity suggested and they were soooo good! The honey & apple sauce made them sooo moist! Wow amazing! Thank you again!
Wendy Sondov says
Hi, Josie. I am so glad that you are enjoying this cake as much as we do! I really appreciate that you took the time to write your comment and leave a 5 star review! Happy Baking!
Marie Miller says
Can I make this in a 9 inch round?
Wendy Sondov says
Hi Marie. I have never made this cake as anything but a loaf (from mini loaves to big loaves) however, there are photos on Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/256142297542947873/ ) of people who have used my recipe to make cakes that are flatter (like in an 8 x8 pan). So I think you probably can make a 9 inch round, but would have to adjust the baking time and keep testing with a toothpick to see when it’s done. This is a dense cake that is lovely on it’s own. I wouldn’t suggest using it as part of a layer cake. I hope this helps! Happy baking!
Barb M says
Can I make muffins rather than a loaf? What about bake time?
Wendy Sondov says
Hi, Barb. You can make this batter in muffin size, mini loaf, or regular loaf. The baking time will of course decrease with the muffins, but I can’t tell you an exact time. My best guess would be about 20 minutes. I would watch them carefully starting at 15 minutes and when the top is golden, start using the toothpick test to check for doneness. Please keep in mind that these will not be light, fluffy muffins. This cake is dense and moist and the cupcakes would be the same. Happy baking.