Eat Well: A: Applesauce Cake

If you have the time to make your own applesauce, it adds a moistness that store-bought applesauce does not seem to have. We used our Basic Homemade Applesauce, but for a twist on the theme, you might try this with our Cranberry Ginger Applesauce.

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 8-inch square metal cake pan.

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

3. In large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until combined. Beat in applesauce.

4. On low speed, add dry ingredients and beat just until combined and flour is barely visible. Stir in walnuts.

5. Scrape batter into prepared cake pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

6. Cool in pan on a rack completely before cutting into 2-inch squares.