Chocolate cake on a white plate on top of a white and blue tablecloth

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients 

  • cups Flour All-purpose
  • ¾ cup Brown Sugar Dark brown sugar
  • cup Cocoa Powder Unsweetened
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ cup Applesauce Unsweetened
  • ¼ cup Canola Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Water Cold
  • Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Equipment

  • Oven
  • 9-inch Square Pan
  • Large Bowl
  • Medium Bowl

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a medium bowl, mix applesauce, oil, vinegar, vanilla, and water.
  • Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Batter will be thin.
  • Coat a 9-inch square pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour batter into greased pan.
  • Bake on middle rack of oven until center is firm and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. This will be about 30–40 minutes.

Video

Notes

  • If doubling the recipe, use 2 (9-inch) pans. This cake does not work well in a 9×13-inch pan.
  • Make chocolate muffins instead of cake. Pour batter into a 12-cup muffin pan coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake as in step 6, about 25 minutes.
  • Dress up the cake by dusting with powdered sugar. Serve with 1 Tablespoon low-fat vanilla yogurt and fresh or thawed frozen berries.
  • Use whole wheat flour in place of half of the all-purpose flour, if you can.
  • White or cider vinegar will work in this recipe.
  • Use leftover applesauce for a healthy snack for adults or kids.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Cake
Amount per Serving
Calories
 
121
Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Sodium
 
145
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
58
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
21
g
7
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
11
g
12
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
1
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
13
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword All-Purpose Flour, AP Flour, Applesauce, Brown Sugar, Cake, Chocolate, Cocoa Powder, Flour, Vanilla, Vanilla Extract