Applesauce Cake

This moist, spiced cake is easy to make and vegan too.

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or agave nectar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

3/4 cup raisins

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

2 cups whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Oil a 10-inch round cake pan or 8- or 9-inch square baking pan. Beat oil, maple syrup, and vanilla together until smooth. Stir in applesauce, raisins, and walnuts. In separate bowl, sift remaining ingredients together. Dough will be stiff. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes, or until cake pulls away from edges of pan and knife inserted in center comes out dry. Cool on rack. Serve cake plain or with whipped tofu topping. It’s also delicious frosted.

Makes 12 servings.