Ingredients:
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup applesauce
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk)
• Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), raisins, or chopped apples
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Mix until well combined.
4. Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Optional Add-ins: If you’re using nuts, raisins, or chopped apples, gently fold them into the batter.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Enjoy: Serve plain or dust with powdered sugar, or add a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat!