I made this cake about a month ago when I had some friends over to watch another True Blood marathon. It has no connection with the show whatsoever. I just happened to have applesauce in my fridge, and it seemed like a delicious idea.

APPLESAUCE SPICE CAKE

2 cups all purpose flour (plus some to flour the pan)

2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

1 stick unsalted butter (plus some for the pan)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup applesauce + 1 diced apple (or 1 2/3 cup chunky applesauce)

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 cup raisins

2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9″ springform pan.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan.
4. Remove saucepan from heat, and stir in the granulated sugar, applesauce, diced apple, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, and eggs.
5. Add the flour mixture, stirring until combined.
6. Stir in the raisins.
7. Pour mixture into pan.
8. Bake about 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Put pan on wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes.
10. Loosen the sides of the cake from the pan with a knife. Invert onto the rack. Turn it over again onto a serving plate.
11. Sprinkle cooled cake with confectioners’ sugar.