In a large bowl, whisk together applesauce, milk, oil, and vanilla together until well-combined.
Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.
Pour batter into an 8x11-inch, or similarly sized, baking dish.
In a separate bowl, stir sugars and cinnamon together.
Sprinkle topping evenly over the batter.
Pour apple cider and water over the topping. DO NOT STIR!
Bake for 40 minutes, or until middle is set.
Cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
Top with toasted pecans, if desired.
Video
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="ZvkaxlbW" upload-date="2018-05-02T20:31:07.000Z" name="Caramel Apple Cobbler Cake" description="Moist apple cobbler cake that makes its own caramel sauce as it bakes. "]
Notes
Milk: Any milk from skim to whole milk will work. You can also use a nondairy milk, such as almond milk, if you prefer.
Spices: You can use ground cinnamon if you prefer. Also, if you like less spice, use 1 teaspoon instead.
Water: I've used additional apple cider in place of the water, and that works well, too.