Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and position a rack in the center. Grease your 9x13 inch pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray, then dust lightly with flour.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and salt until the spices distribute evenly throughout the flour.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Pour in the applesauce and vanilla extract, then mix until everything combines into a uniform mixture.

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three additions, stirring gently between each one. Mix only until you no longer see streaks of flour.

If using raisins and walnuts, fold them into the batter with a rubber spatula. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with your spatula. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top springs back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. For round pans, cool 10 minutes before inverting onto the rack.