Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pan
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon (1.5g) ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.75g) ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (360g) unsweetened applesauce (chunky or smooth, your choice!)
  • ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • ½ cup (85g) raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
  • 2 cups (220g) confectioners sugar (optional)
  • 4 tablespoons milk (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour the loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the applesauce, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. If using, gently fold in the chopped nuts and/or dried fruit.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
  8. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Combine glaze ingredients in a bowl. Whisk until it smooth. Then drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake and let set.(Optional)