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7 Incredible Applesauce Substitutes for the Moistest Carrot Cake Ever

7 Incredible Applesauce Substitutes for the Moistest Carrot Cake Ever

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It can be annoying when you’re set to make a cake, then you find one missing ingredient.

You’ll be in the kitchen ready to bake a carrot cake, preparing your ingredients, but fall short on one, applesauce.

The fruit ingredient plays a critical role in your recipe since it can be a binding or fat agent.

The good news is that you can substitute applesauce with plenty of other similarly textured and flavored ingredients, including a variety of fruit purees, yogurt, and sour cream.

If you’re wondering what to substitute applesauce for in carrot cake, my guide will help you!

Applesauce: Overview and Uses

Applesauce is a popular ingredient in most healthy baked goods. It’s an ideal substitute for high-calorie oils in several recipes.

The ingredient is made from, you guessed it, apples!

Some apple sauces are made from one variety of apples, while others may include other ingredients. Some commercially made ones will have cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and ginger to add a sweet and spicy flavor.

Other options typically add sweeteners like stevia, brown or white sugar, or, my personal favorite, honey.

In terms of baking, applesauce works as a binding agent. I like to use it as an egg substitute to add an extra tart taste to my cakes.

The thickness of the ingredient also makes it an ideal replacement for vegetable oils, especially if you want to get more moisture.

The 7 Best Applesauce Substitutions for Carrot Cake Recipes

Most of the applesauce substitutes available for a carrot cake recipe will use a similar concept of pureed fruit.

That way, you’ll be adding an ingredient with the same thick consistency, but it may alter the taste.

1 – Mashed Bananas

Mashed bananas are my all-time favorite baked goods ingredients. They effortlessly incorporate a creamy, sweet, and almost vanilla-like consistency and flavor.

If you’re using the bananas as a binding agent or sweetener, you can follow a 1:1 ratio replacement.

If it’s a fat replacement, add less mashed bananas than you would applesauce. So, one cup of applesauce equates to ¾ cup of mashed bananas.

It’s worth noting that bananas bake faster and hold more water than apples. So, you’ll want to use less liquid ingredients and bake your cake in a shorter time.

2 – Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is the perfect substitute for those looking to pack some extra protein in their baked goods. However, it has a tangy taste that you’ll feel in the carrot cake.

Greek yogurt contains plenty of moisture, so you’ll want to substitute a cup of applesauce with ¾ cup of Greek yogurt.

Besides adding less of the creamy, thick substitute, you should also adjust your sweetener amount. Applesauce typically adds more sweetness and spiciness.

Don’t hesitate to be extra generous with the sugar or honey helping in the recipe. Plus, when adding the yogurt, make sure to carefully mix it in so it doesn’t separate.

3 – Sour Cream

Similar to Greek yogurt, sour cream offers a creamy textured substitute for applesauce in your carrot cake recipe.

The main difference is that sour cream includes more fat, giving you richer and more moist results.

You can replace one cup of applesauce with ¾ cup of sour cream. Make sure to add more sugar to cut down the cream’s acidity.

4 – Mashed Avocados

One of the best parts about using mashed avocados is that they absorb the flavors mixed with them. So, you don’t have to worry about any off-taste coming from the fruit.

Avocados give you a much healthier substitute as well, considering their lower sugar content. They’re ideal for those watching their blood glucose levels.

The green substitute will also give your baked goods a more moist finish since it has a higher fat content.

Use a 1:1 ratio when replacing the applesauce with mashed avocados. Make sure you finely puree the fruit until you get a creamy consistency. I suggest reaching for the overripe avocado to make things easier.

5 – Pureed Pumpkins

Pureed pumpkin is the ultimate applesauce seasonal substitute, whether Halloween is around the corner or you’re responsible for a Thanksgiving dessert.

The pureed substitute ingredient will offer a different, but similarly sweet flavor. It’ll pair exceptionally well with a sprinkle of cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg.

Aside from that, here are a few things to consider: pumpkins are less sweet and denser than apples, and they hold more water content.

Consequently, you’ll want to add more sweetener and increase your carrot cake’s baking time. Ratio-wise, keep it at 1:1 for applesauce to pureed pumpkin.

You can purchase ready-made pumpkin puree or make your own. You may also consider pumpkin pie filling, but remember that it comes with added sugar and spice.

6 – Pureed Pear

Out of all the substitutes provided, pureed pears are the most similar to applesauce in terms of the tart and sweet flavor as well as the syrupy, thick texture.

You can use the fruit at a 1:1 ratio. To create the puree, de-stem and de-seed a couple of fresh, ripe pears. Then, place them in a pot of boiling water until they become tender.

After taking them out of the water and allowing them to slightly cool, cut them into quarters and place them in a blender or food processor until pureed. Finally, sweeten and spice to your liking.

7 – Silken Tofu

Silken tofu works best as an applesauce substitute for dense recipes like carrot cake. You can use a 1:1 ratio when replacing the fruity ingredient as a binding agent.

Meanwhile, if you’re using it as a fat replacement, add ⅓ cup of blended silken tofu instead of one cup of applesauce.

To prepare the tofu, press a towel on it to absorb excess moisture. Then, toss it into a food processor or blender and pulse until you achieve a smooth consistency.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, I’ve found that the best substitutes for applesauce are mashed or pureed fruits. They give you the closest texture and flavor once you’ve made a few recipe adjustments.

If you don’t have any fruits at your disposal, you can resort to other rich ingredients, such as sour cream, silken tofu, and Greek yogurt, all of which will give you great results.

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Sweet E's Bake Shop

Wednesday 25th of September 2024

These applesauce substitutes are game changers for your carrot cake. Keep your baking fresh and exciting!

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