Carrot cake holds a special place in many households. The teatime classic which boasts a moist crumb and spiced flavour, that's then topped with cream cheese frosting, makes the ultimate dessert or sweet treat. While you can pop into a supermarket or bakery and buy a deliciously made carrot cake, there is nothing quite like one that is made at home with love.

Bit did you know there is one ingredient that will take the family favourite to another level? The simple ingredient - which is so cheap to buy - has been branded as a "game-changer" that will make the cake sweeter and enhance its soft texture.

Food writer Alexandra Emanuelli vouched for this ingredient doing wonders. On food website, Simply Recipes, she shared her years of experimenting and said she's tried "just about every possible permutation" in hopes of finding that one perfect touch.

She added: "But despite all my R&D, none of these versions achieved the cake of my dreams (sweet, moist, decadent) - until I stumbled upon one simple, game-changing ingredient: apple sauce."

Apple sauce is simply a puree made of unpeeled or peeled apples that can be spiced or sweetened, and it can be bought for as little as 64p in Sainsbury's.

What makes the ingredient "the best" according to Alexandra is that you don't lose any of the cake's beautiful flavours - it just enhances them.

She said: "It doesn't take away from the classic carrot cake flavours or add a weird apple addition. It subtly sweetens the cake while working behind the scenes to create the most unbelievably tender crumb."

There are three main reasons why the simple yet surprising ingredient works for a carrot cake. It boosts moisture, thanks to the extra liquid it adds to the batter. Additionally, the pectin that comes from the apples acts as a "natural thickener" which helps set the cake "and can even help your cake better withstand a few months in the freezer".

The final thing is gluten control. She explained: "The added moisture from applesauce limits gluten development, preventing a tough or dense cake."