The Cottage Smallholder

I have an order for a christmas cake with no dairy products (eggs are ok) - which basically means no butter. Having done a bit of research on t'internet, it says on several sites you can replace butter with vegetable oil or apple sauce - or half and half. As i have a glut of cooking apples that would be a great idea, but....as the ingredients for a christmas cake don't come cheap, before I waste a whole batch, has anyone tried this before?

For the last few years i have made the chocolate & prune cake from Nigella Lawson, which is divine, don't let the prunes put you off, it is wonderfully moist and the chocloate and the coffe liqueur add a wonderful depth without any overpowering taste.