15 Apple Sauce Recipes for Baking

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Applesauce is a versatile ingredient in baking.

It adds moisture, sweetness, and a subtle apple flavor while reducing the need for added fats or sugar.

These 15 apple sauce baking recipes are perfect for muffins, cakes, breads, cookies, and even pancakes, giving your treats a healthier and flavorful twist.

1. Applesauce Muffins

Moist and soft muffins with a natural sweetness from applesauce and a hint of cinnamon.

Perfect for breakfast or snacks.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • â…“ cup vegetable oil

  • 1 large egg

  • ½ cup milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.

  2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

  3. In another bowl, whisk sugar, applesauce, oil, egg, and milk.

  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.

  5. Fill muffin cups ¾ full and bake for 18–20 minutes. Cool before serving.

2. Applesauce Banana Bread

A healthier twist on classic banana bread using applesauce to reduce oil and enhance moisture.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ½ cup sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed

  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.

  2. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

  3. In another bowl, mix applesauce, sugar, eggs, bananas, and vanilla.

  4. Fold wet and dry ingredients together.

  5. Pour into loaf pan and bake 50–60 minutes. Cool before slicing.

3. Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies

Soft, chewy cookies with applesauce, oats, and a hint of cinnamon.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups rolled oats

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • ¼ cup butter, softened

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

  3. In another bowl, cream butter, sugar, applesauce, egg, and vanilla.

  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.

  5. Drop spoonfuls on a baking sheet and bake 10–12 minutes.

4. Applesauce Cinnamon Rolls

Fluffy cinnamon rolls sweetened with applesauce in the dough for extra softness.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tsp instant yeast

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • ¼ cup milk, warm

  • ¼ cup butter, melted

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions:

  1. Mix flour and yeast. In another bowl, combine applesauce, sugar, milk, and butter.

  2. Add wet to dry ingredients and knead dough for 5–7 minutes. Let rise 1 hour.

  3. Roll dough, spread cinnamon and brown sugar, roll into a log.

  4. Slice rolls, place in pan, let rise 30 minutes. Bake 20–25 minutes at 375°F (190°C).

5. Applesauce Pancakes

Fluffy, naturally sweet pancakes using applesauce in place of some milk or oil.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1 cup milk

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • 1 egg

  • 2 tbsp sugar

  • 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients.

  2. Whisk milk, applesauce, egg, sugar, and butter.

  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.

  4. Cook pancakes on a hot griddle for 2–3 minutes per side.

6. Applesauce Cake with Streusel Topping

Moist and spiced cake made with applesauce and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp nutmeg

  • 1 cup sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ½ cup oil

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • Streusel: ½ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 pan.

  2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

  3. Mix sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients.

  4. Spread in pan and top with streusel. Bake 35–40 minutes.

7. Applesauce Cupcakes

Light and airy cupcakes with a subtle apple flavor and a natural sweetness.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ¼ cup oil

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan.

  2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

  3. Mix sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Combine with dry ingredients.

  4. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake 18–20 minutes.

8. Applesauce Brownies

Fudgy, chocolatey brownies made lighter with applesauce instead of oil.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup cocoa powder

  • ¾ cup flour

  • ½ tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • ¼ cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 pan.

  2. Mix dry ingredients. Add applesauce, eggs, and vanilla. Fold in chocolate chips.

  3. Bake 20–25 minutes. Cool before slicing.

9. Applesauce Oat Bars

Healthy snack bars with oats, applesauce, and a touch of honey.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups rolled oats

  • 1 cup flour

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ¼ cup honey

  • ¼ cup coconut oil

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan.

  2. Mix dry ingredients. Stir in applesauce, honey, and oil.

  3. Press into pan and bake 20–25 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

10. Applesauce Donuts (Baked)

Soft, baked donuts made healthier with applesauce instead of oil or butter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups flour

  • ½ cup sugar

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ½ cup milk

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.

  2. Combine dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients separately.

  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Pour into donut pan.

  4. Bake 12–15 minutes. Cool and glaze if desired.

11. Applesauce Spice Cake

Soft, aromatic spice cake with a natural sweetness from applesauce.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour

  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp nutmeg

  • ½ tsp allspice

  • 1 cup sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ½ cup oil

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch cake pan.

  2. Mix dry ingredients. Whisk wet ingredients separately.

  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients and bake 30–35 minutes. Cool before serving.

12. Applesauce Carrot Cake

Moist carrot cake using applesauce to reduce oil, with warm spices and grated carrots.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp nutmeg

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ¼ cup oil

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 ½ cups grated carrots

  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 pan.

  2. Mix dry ingredients. Whisk sugar, applesauce, oil, and eggs. Combine with dry ingredients.

  3. Fold in carrots and walnuts. Bake 30–35 minutes.

13. Applesauce Cinnamon Bread

Sweet, soft bread with cinnamon flavor and natural moisture from applesauce.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • 2 eggs

  • ¼ cup oil

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.

  2. Mix dry ingredients. Whisk wet ingredients.

  3. Combine wet and dry, pour into pan. Bake 45–50 minutes.

14. Applesauce Cupcake with Caramel Glaze

Moist apple cupcakes topped with a sweet caramel drizzle.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ¼ cup oil

  • 2 eggs

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

  • Caramel sauce for topping

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan.

  2. Mix dry ingredients. Whisk wet ingredients. Combine.

  3. Bake 18–20 minutes. Cool and drizzle with caramel.

15. Applesauce Cheesecake Bars

Creamy cheesecake bars with applesauce in the filling for lightness and flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

  • ¼ cup butter, melted

  • 16 oz cream cheese

  • ½ cup sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Press graham crumbs and butter into a baking pan.

  2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.

  3. Pour over crust and bake 35–40 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.

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