Cinnamon Chip Applesauce Coffee Cake

By Addie

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine , softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S Cinnamon Chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• EASY GLAZE (recipe follows) or powdered sugar

Preparation

Step 1

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

2 Beat butter and granulated sugar in large bowl on medium speed of mixer until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix in applesauce. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in cinnamon chips and pecans, if desired. Spread in prepared pan.

3 Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Drizzle with glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar. 12 to 15 servings.

EASY GLAZE: Stir together 3/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water.


VARIATIONS:

FLUTED CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup fluted tube pan. Prepare batter as directed; pour into prepared pan. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in thickest part comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; invert onto wire rack. Cool completely.

CUPCAKES: Paper-line 24 muffin cups (2-1/2-inches in diameter) Prepare batter as directed; spoon into prepared cups. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.

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REVIEWS:

The first time I made this coffee cake, I used the standard baking sheet that the recipe suggested: a 13x9x2 inch baking sheet. It turned okay, but it did not have a dense, moist center. In fact, it was very thin and slightly crispy. I decided to try the recipe for a second time, but instead of using the baking sheet again I used a bundt pan and the result was fabulous! My family had at least 3 pieces each and it was gone before the night was over. So my advice to others is do NOT use the baking sheet; use a deeper, shorter item, such as a bundt pan or a bread pan, if you want the soft, moist texture as shown in the picture. It really did taste good with the bundt pan!

Excellent and easy to make. Everyone seems to love this.

This is the best! This recipe makes you feel like the best baker in the world because it is always a success and everyone loves it. I bake for my guys at work and this is their favorite choice of everything I have ever made. I signed up here just so I could recommend this cake-it is that good! Thank you Hershey's!

This is one of the moistest coffee cakes I have ever had. Every time I bring this in to work, it practically flies out of the pan!