Gingerbread Pudding Cake Apple

This tender gingerbread pudding cake fills your kitchen with warm spices while it bakes and magically creates a caramel apple sauce under the soft and moist cake. It is my go-to dessert once the air turns chilly and apples are in season.

The first time I made this cake I was amazed at how the sauce forms while baking. My family asked for seconds before I even sat down with my own bowl.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: lends structure and keeps the cake light look for unbleached for best flavor
• Baking powder: ensures the cake rises properly and gives a fluffy texture make sure yours is fresh
• Salt: balances flavors and keeps sweetness in check use a fine sea salt if possible
• Granulated sugar: sweetens the batter and topping choose cane sugar for best results
• Ground cinnamon and ground ginger: bring signature warmth use fresh spices for the boldest flavor
• Molasses: adds rich color and that classic gingerbread depth always opt for unsulphured molasses
• Unsweetened applesauce: keeps the cake moist and brings subtle apple notes choose smooth puree style
• Vegetable oil: keeps the crumb soft neutral oils like canola also work
• Milk: any type from skim to whole or even buttermilk for some tang
• Vanilla extract: rounds out the spices with a floral note pure vanilla makes a difference
• Brown sugar: deepens the sweetness in the topping use light or dark
• Apple cider: forms the sauce use fresh refrigerated cider if you can find it
• Water: helps create the pudding-like caramel sauce just plain filtered water

When picking applesauce try to get one with no added sugar for better control of sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Dish:

Lightly grease an eight by eleven inch baking dish or a similar shallow two quart dish to help with release after baking

Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour baking powder salt granulated sugar ground cinnamon and ground ginger until well blended for even spice distribution

Blend Wet Ingredients:

In a separate large bowl whisk the applesauce milk vegetable oil molasses and vanilla extract together until the mixture looks smooth and the molasses is fully dissolved

Combine Batter:

Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet bowl stir with a spatula or spoon just until you no longer see streaks of flour be sure not to overmix

Transfer to Dish:

Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and smooth it evenly to the corners with a spatula

Add Topping:

In a clean bowl mix the brown sugar granulated sugar and cinnamon for the topping then sprinkle this mixture evenly across the top of the batter do not mix it in

Pour Liquid Over Top:

Very gently pour the apple cider and water over the entire pan covering the sugar topping do not stir this step creates the sauce layer

Bake:

Place the dish on the center rack of a preheated three hundred fifty degree oven bake for about forty minutes the middle should be just set and the top golden

Rest:

Let the cake stand five to ten minutes before scooping so the caramel sauce sets a little and the cake is easier to serve

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While baking this my kids love peeking through the oven window and you can really see the bubbly caramel layer forming under the cake

Storage Tips

Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to four days The sauce will thicken a bit more after chilling but just rewarm individual portions in the microwave or a low oven to bring back that pudding texture

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are out of applesauce you can use an equal amount of pear sauce or even mashed banana for a fun twist Plant based milk works just as well as regular and if you prefer a richer dessert swap in buttermilk for brightness

Serving Suggestions

This cake is wonderful warm straight from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream For a bit of crunch sprinkle toasted walnuts or pecans on top before serving

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Gingerbread Tradition

Gingerbread has roots reaching back centuries in European holiday celebrations The pudding cake version has become a favorite in American homes for its easy method and cozy flavors it really shines when apples are in season

Frequently Asked Questions About the Recipe

→ How does the caramel apple sauce form?

The sauce develops as brown sugar, cinnamon, cider, and water settle below the batter, creating a rich caramel layer during baking.

→ What gives the cake its gingerbread flavor?

Ground ginger, cinnamon, and molasses provide classic gingerbread notes for a warm, spiced flavor profile.

→ Can I use a different milk or oil?

Yes. Any type of milk, from skim to buttermilk, works well. For oil, neutral options like canola or even olive oil are suitable.

→ How do I make the cake extra spicy?

Doubling the amounts of ginger and cinnamon in the batter intensifies the warm spice flavors.

→ What’s the best way to serve this dessert?

Best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven, topped with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a dusting of cinnamon.

→ Can I substitute homemade apple cider?

Absolutely—fresh or bottled apple cider both give a lovely apple note to the finished dessert.