Chocolate Turtle Applesauce Cake

Chocolate Turtle Applesauce Cake is the easiest, most flavorful, super moist cake. Cake recipes with applesauce are so tasty, with or without frosting!

Applesauce Cake Recipe 

This recipe offers two different versions of this AMAZING cake. A Chocolate Turtle version and a Spice Cake with Walnuts and Raisins.

Both incredible in their own special way. 

Turtle Cake

First we have our chocolate applesauce cake with a turtle theme, using pecans, caramel or toffee bits and chocolate.

Just so good.

This chocolate applesauce cake sounds kinda strange but I can tell you it is definitely worth a try. 

You can't tell there is applesauce inside it. 

As soon as summer is nearing its end, I start thinking about apple recipes. Apples are total comfort food, especially served in desserts.

This incredible cake is also super easy, a dump and go kind of recipe. 

Combine all of the ingredients, Blend until incorporated. Dump into cake pan and decide how you are going to decorate it.

Cakes don't get any simpler to make.

Still amazing just no need for the chocolate, toffee or caramels or pecans!

Spice Cake 

Then, your second option you have is our Spice Cake with Walnuts and Raisins. Exact same recipe but with no cocoa added and instead using pumpkin pie spice, walnuts or pecans and raisins.

We use pumpkin pie spice because it is so much easier than adding nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and ginger separately. We add 2 tablespoons of the pumpkin pie spice for a nice flavor.

If you prefer a milder flavor, use a little less.

Now you have two versions of this cake you can make and wait, there are a couple more options to come! Decorating both of these cakes is a lot of fun.

Applesauce in Cake 

Now, I have to briefly discuss the benefits to using applesauce in cake and there are many. Besides how delicious they taste.

Baking with applesauce, instead of oil, keeps baked goods moist, adds fiber and reduces fat and calories in cakes, cake mixes, cookies, muffins, brownies and breads.

I believe that every little bit helps. Especially when you don't have to totally sacrifice flavor or texture or really anything.

I'm in.

Applesauce also adds a subtle sweetness and some real fruit flavor at the same time.

Overall, I think that most people like apples too. Applesauce is simple to make and freezes beautifully so it is easy to freeze in portions of ¼ or ½ cup that defrost in no time at all.

Homemade applesauce is much cheaper than the cheapest store bought vegetable oil. Especially in the fall when apples are in season.

Basic applesauce is made out of blended or pureed apples and water. Super easy.

Cake Recipe with Applesauce 

If you want to try this little trick, you must remember to use a 2 to 1 ratio for oil to applesauce and you can replace up to half of the oil.

So if your recipe requires ½ cup of oil, you can substitute ¼ cup of applesauce for ¼ cup of oil. You will then add ¼ cup of oil and ¼ cup of applesauce to your recipe.

Replacing oil with applesauce can affect texture and baking time somewhat.

For example, if substituting oil in a cake mix your baking time will reduce by about ¼ so be sure to keep a watchful eye out! I would hate for your cake to burn.

I urge you to try this trick at least once! It is so difficult to taste the difference.

Chocolate Applesauce Cake

You will love everything about this easy chocolate applesauce cake. Absolutely everything. From the ease of preparation to the delightful final product, everything.

I frequently use applesauce that I make from home. It is super fast, so easy and freezes beautifully. You can either make it yourself like I usually do or buy a jar from your local market.

For those of you interested in making your own applesauce, here is how to do it.

I recommend any variety of apple besides red or golden delicious apples. If you have to you can use them but generally those apples don't cook as well as most others.

I must also mention or suggest that you consider using more than one kind of apple. I LOVE using an apple like Granny Smith and maybe MacIntosh or another sweet apple. Lately I have been enjoying Honeycrisp apples.

For more information, or if you're interested, have a look at our Best Apples for Baking. It is a wonderful apple resource to have.

I also want to mention that 1 ½ pounds of apples is generally anywhere from 6 small, 4-5 medium or 3 large apples. That is my best guess. Use a scale for the best results. 

Either at the store or at home.

It's so hard because everyone has a different definition as to what small, medium and large are. Regardless, if you find your applesauce is in need of a little more water only add one tablespoon at a time.

I am pretty sure you won't need the extra water though.

This recipe will make about 2 cups of applesauce total. If you are making this applesauce for this recipe mash or blend the applesauce until it has a pretty smooth texture.

If you decide to make this applesauce for yourself to eat, add a pinch of cinnamon or whatever your heart desires. Slice your apples up if you enjoy a lumpy, chewable consistency like I do!

Homemade Applesauce (2 cups)

• 1 ½ pounds apples, peeled and cored 
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• pinch of salt

Cut your apples into pieces.

Place your apples inside a saucepan that will hold them all.

Add sugar, salt and water.

Bring to a boil over medium high heat and then reduce to medium, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are super soft and coming apart.

Around 15 minutes.

Using your potato masher or an immersion blender, mash or blend your applesauce to the consistency you prefer. If you are just making this applesauce for this recipe blend or mash until the texture is fairly smooth.

Allow applesauce to cool to room temperature before adding it to your cake.

If making and eating yourself, sweeten with extra sugar if desired. Again only if your applesauce is for personal consumption and not just this recipe.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or right out of the fridge.

Applesauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Making applesauce is almost the easiest recipe on earth!

Ingredients in Applesauce Cake Recipe

• flour
• cocoa powder (if making a Chocolate Turtle Applesauce Cake otherwise skip it)
• baking soda
• salt
• applesauce
• sugar
• oil
• eggs
• vanilla

Decorations

• chocolate chips 
• pecans
• toffee bits
• cooking spray

Spice Cake with Walnuts and Raisins Version

• only walnuts, pumpkin pie spice and raisins for a totally different experience, no cocoa, with (or without) just the caramel on top, all I can say is WOW! 

How to make a Chocolate Turtle Applesauce Cake

Prepare a 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine everything. Yep everything.

Combine flour, baking soda, salt, applesauce, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. We use a handheld mixer to blend ingredients together but it is up to you.

If you are making the chocolate turtle version add your cocoa and blend until incorporated. Again, only add cocoa if you are not making the pumpkin pie spice version.

If making the pumpkin spice version, add walnuts, pumpkin pie spice and raisins to your batter now. 

Pour batter into your prepared pan.

Using a spatula do your best to flatten and even out the top of the cake batter.

Sprinkle with pecans, chocolate chips and then toffee bits, if using.

Bake until all of the sweets on top are melted or a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

If baking this cake without sweets on top your cooking time reduces by about 5 minutes. Please keep a watch to avoid burning. No one enjoys a well done cake!

Allow cake to cool totally in the pan.

Now you have to decide how to decorate it. I have included some delicious ideas below.

Chocolate Applesauce Cake Decorating Options

So many options. So little time.

Spice Cake with Walnuts and Raisins Version

If you want to make a totally different cake. Just for a change. Use raisins, walnuts and a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice. Skip the cocoa but add everything else to your cake batter.

Pumpkin pie spice already includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. They all work beautifully together in this version of our applesauce cake.

Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar all over or some whipped or ice cream and you will not be disappointed. Maybe some store bought caramel sauce too.

Consider drizzling our Caramel (recipe below) all over the top of this cake allowing the caramel to drip down the sides. So delicious too. You can even add some nuts to the caramel sauce before you pour it all over the cake.

All I can say is WOW.

My husband wants you to know that the caramel, with or without the nuts, isn't needed unless desired.

I asked him which version he preferred and the best answer I could get was "they are both really tasty, just make sure they know they don't have to use the caramel at all, unless they want to."

I figure I have done that but still consider trying the caramel at least once. Soooo good.

Turtle 

As usual, here are a couple of decorating options. You can easily sprinkle chocolate chips, toffee bits and pecans across the top of the cake right before you bake it.

That chocolate, toffee and nut crust is a wonderful thing. Different, easy and so delicious.

Then you can add some ice or whipped cream, a sprinkling of powdered sugar and some more chips, bits or nuts sprinkled on top, if desired.

Decorations

• chocolate or caramel sauce
• ice cream
• whipped cream
• toffee bits
• pecans, chopped

On occasion, I have been known to use the chocolate ganache recipe below to cover the cake. Next, I poured and drizzled the caramel all over it.

Too good for words.

If I'm just in the mood to make the best and easiest chocolate frosting, I have included that recipe as well. Another amazing recipe to have on hand.

It works in a pinch on any cake or baked good and I always have all of the ingredients on hand.

Chocolate Ganache

• ¾ cup heavy or whipping cream
• 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tablespoons light corn syrup

In a small saucepan, over low to medium low heat, add cream, then chocolate and corn syrup. Whisk constantly, until mixture is smooth, around 5 or 6 minutes.

Dump chocolate into bowl and refrigerate until thicker but still spreadable, as much as 2 hours.

Spread chocolate icing all over the top and sides of your cake and refrigerate until set, at least 30 minutes, if not an hour.

Caramel

• ½ pound soft caramel candies, plastic removed
• ¼ cup heavy or whipping cream
• ½ cup pecans, or walnuts, toasted, optional
• ⅛ teaspoon salt or a pinch

Finely chop pecans or walnuts, if using.

In a small saucepan, over low to medium low heat, add cream, caramels and salt. Whisk constantly, until mixture is smooth, about 6 or 7 minutes.

If desired, add chopped pecans into your caramel mixture, cover and keep warm.

Spread or drizzle caramel over top of cake. Remember that your caramel can not be too hot or your icing on the cake will just melt. Wait until caramel is almost too cool to spread or drizzle. Slice and serve.

Easy Chocolate Frosting

Your last alternative I am going to give you is to use this amazing frosting recipe.

• 1 ¼ cup butter, softened or 2 ½ sticks 
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla 
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
• 3 cups icing or powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons cocoa

Using an electric or handheld mixer blend butter, cream, vanilla, salt, and chocolate on medium high speed.

Once blended together, reduce speed to medium low and add cocoa. Slowly and gradually add icing or powdered sugar.

Blend until smooth, a few more minutes.

Next, increase speed to medium high and beat your frosting until light and fluffy, another 5 more minutes.

Can this frosting be made ahead?

This frosting can be made up to 2 days in advance and left in your fridge in an airtight container.

Before using the frosting, let stand at room temperature until softened, about 2 hours, then whip with an electric mixer before adding it to your cake.

Turtle Desserts to Try

Easy Turtle Mousse Pie

White Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Double Chocolate Turtle Cookies