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    Home » Recipes » Sweets & Desserts

    Apple Cake (Vegan + Gluten-Free) Perfectly Moist with Simple Ingredients

    Updated: Mar 14, 2023 by Gustavo De Obaldia

    Written by Gustavo De Obaldia

    If you're looking for a vegan and gluten-free apple cake recipe, look no further. We have all the tips to make this moist, delicious cake with simple everyday ingredients. Vegan and gluten-free baking may seem complicated, but it doesn't need to be! Follow these steps, and your perfect apple cake will be ready in no time.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Comments

    The apple cake vegan recipe that we have chosen to share with you is perfect for any time of the year. Whether it's apple season or not where you are, this moist apple cake will be a great idea!

    The same way you would make a carrot cake or vegan pumpkin pie out of season just for the sake of enjoying a delicious and healthy pie! Those are my all-time favorite desserts!

    vegan apple cake slice

    And if your friends don't follow a gluten-free diet, you can enjoy it will all-purpose flour as well.

    Making an apple cake vegan is super easy, you just need to replace the on-vegan components such as egg, butter, and milk, with healthier options, like:

    1. Dairy-free milk combined with lemon juice makes vegan buttermilk which makes a great vegan baking partner because it helps to raise baking goods and helps to make this vegan apple cake light. You can use it on cornbread or a vegan banana loaf.
    2. Chia or Flax eggs - simply made by combining these anti-oxidant packed seeds with warm water, and make a great egg replacement.
    3. Flaxseed oil, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or melted vegan butter - to replace regular butter.

    To make this vegan apple cake gluten-free, you need to use a gluten-free flour mix instead of wheat flour.

    This absolutely delicious recipe is simple, soft, moist, dairy-free, made with fresh chopped apples. You only need 15 minutes to prepare it, and the rest is baking time.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Step-by-step Instructions
    • Variations
    • 🍽 Equipment
    • 👨🏻‍🍳 Tips for making the perfect vegan apple cake
    • 🥡 Storage
    • 💡 Top tip
    • 🥢  How do I serve vegan apple cake?
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    🧾 Ingredients

    To make this delectable Italian-inspired version of a vegan apple cake, you'll need only 10 simple ingredients. These particular components guarantee that this cake is nutritious and has plenty of fiber, fruits, antioxidants, and minerals.

    The apple cake is made with natural sugar that won't cause blood sugar levels to rise. The main allergens (dairy, eggs, and wheat) are absent from the dessert, and it is also nut-free. It's also a fantastic dish to try with children.

    vegan apple cake ingredients
    • Apples, peeled and cubed
    • Lemon juice and zest
    • Cinnamon powder
    • Gluten-free flour (or all-purpose, if you are not looking for a gluten-free recipe)
    • Brown cane sugar (coconut sugar or regular granulated sugar)
    • Baking powder
    • Chia seeds
    • Flaxseed oil (or extra virgin olive oil, regular canola oil, and sunflower oil work as well)
    • Non-dairy milk (preferably soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk)
    • Pure vanilla extract

    See quantities and complete instructions in the recipe card.

    🔪 Step-by-step Instructions

    They only require bowls and a baking dish to make this delicious vegan apple cake.

    Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 ºF (180 ºC). Lightly grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.

    chia egg

    Step 2. Prepare the chia or flax egg by adding 6 tablespoons of warm water to 2 chia seeds (or flax meal).

    vegan buttermilk

    Step 3. Prepare the vegan buttermilk by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice to 5 tablespoons of plant milk (preferable soy).

    chopped apples with lemon and cinnamon

    Step 4. Peel, core, and cube the apples. Toss the diced apples with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, the lemon zest, and the cinnamon powder. Set aside.

    sieved dry ingredients in a bowl

    Step 5. In a large bowl, sieve and whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and baking powder. Set aside.

    combined wet ingredients.

    Step 6. To the vegan buttermilk bowl, add the chia eggs, vanilla, and oil, and whisk until well combined. 

    all apple cake ingredients mixed into a batter

    Step 7. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and combine. Don't over mix (especially if using a non-gluten-free mix). Once most of the flour is incorporated, fold in the apples.

    vegan apple cake batter poured in a cake tin

    Step 8. Spread the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle with extra brown sugar, and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    raw apple slices arranged in a spiral pattern on top of the batter
    baked apple slices arranged in a spiral pattern on top of the batter

    Alternatively, you can use one apple and slice it from the center, then squeeze some lemon juice. Arrange the apple slices, flat-side down, on top of the batter in a spiral pattern.

    vegan apple cake
    vegan apple cake

    Step 9. Completely optional. Once the apple cake has completely cooled down, dust powdered sugar using a sieve, just for the looks! 🙂

    Enjoy at room temperature or cool.

    Variations

    Here we give you all the tips to make this recipe with whatever pantry ingredients you have.

    • Lemon flavor - we really love the lemon notes on this cake, and we have made it with half a lemon's zest and with a whole lemon's zest. We love them both, and it was difficult to write the final recipe. When you use all of it, the cake will be more fragrant but you may have less of the apples' flavor, but is sooo yummy! We suggest experimenting with both!
    • Apples - granny smith apples work very well, but in reality, all apples work for this vegan apple cake. Even if you have some leftover apple sauce or (unsweetened applesauce), feel free to stir it in.
    • Flour - all kinds of flour work for this lovely recipe. In addition to the gluten-free mix, we have tried whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, spelt flour, and oat flour.
    • Whole wheat flour works well and adds nutrition and fiber, just remember that it makes be less fluffy, but just a little, nothing to worry about!
    • Dairy-free milk - you can use preferably soy milk, homemade oat milk, and cashew milk because they make better vegan buttermilk, but almond milk also works. Vegan yogurt works as well. To make vegan buttermilk, you can also use apple cider vinegar.
    • Chia egg - you can also make a flax egg, using a flax meal; they both work equally. I chose to use chia eggs for two reasons: I like the extra texture that chia seeds provide, and we are using flax oil. As you know, we like maximizing the nutrition aspect of our recipes, so having both chia and flax seeds in our recipe, gives us a double portion of these powerful antioxidants.
    • Spices - in addition to cinnamon, you may add a touch of nutmeg or even replace the cinnamon with a pumpkin spice mix, which has cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger powder.
    • Pure Vanilla extract - if you don't have some but have almond extract, you can use it instead.
    • Baking powder - if you can't find baking powder where you live, you can make your simply by mixing two baking soda, two-part cream of tartar, and one part cornstarch.

    Just don't try to replace it solely with baking soda because you will end up having an odd flavor in your vegan cake.

    As you can see, following a vegan diet can be easier than you think; we need to know the correct replacements to make delicious vegan creations!

    🍽 Equipment

    Ideally, use a cake tin; that way, you don't need to worry about turning it, but the cake also bakes well in a regular baking dish.

    You can also use a muffin pan to make muffins with the same cake batter.

    👨🏻‍🍳 Tips for making the perfect vegan apple cake

    Granny smith apples are beautifully crisp and are pretty delicious, with a good ratio between sweet and tart, but all types of apple work.

    A little more suitable than white sugar, coconut sugar, and brown sugar complements the fall season.

    We recommend cooling your vegan apple cake completely before slicing it. That way, the flavors will consolidate better, and it will also moisten better.

    🥡 Storage

    If you have leftover cake, you should worry much because it will disappear quickly. You can have it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    This vegan apple cake is preserved in a cake container for three days. You can also use plastic bags to keep the apple cake soft and moist.

    💡 Top tip

    When it comes to baked goods, the air is the enemy of freshness. Oxygen oxidates food, and it is pretty visible on cakes and bread. If you don't have a closed cake container, just put your bread or cake in a plastic bag, close it, and absorb as much air as possible with your mouth, "emulating" a sealed bag.

    If you want to eat the vegan cake warm, you can reheat it in the microwave or over for 5 minutes on medium heat.

    🥢  How do I serve vegan apple cake?

    Enjoy a slice of vegan apple cake for breakfast, tea time, or dinner dessert.

    Apple cakes taste delicious on their own, but if you feel like indulging yourself or your guests, you can serve the apple cake with vegan vanilla ice cream or vegan whipped cream (made with coconut cream).

    vegan apple cake with vegan ice cream

    ❓ FAQ

    Can I make apple cake oil-free?

    Yes. Just replace the oil with the exact amount of water. The result will be drier though.

    What makes vegan cakes moist?

    One of the main secrets to making apple cake moist is the treatment you give to the apples before stirring them into the batter.
    Alternatively, you can use apple sauce, but you would require too much of it, that's why we go with apples, but you can always add some extra applesauce and make it extra-moist.
    Other than that, you can use oil instead of just water and milk alternatives like homemade almond milk or soy milk, which will give more body to your vegan apple cake.

    What's the best flour for apple cakes?

    All-purpose flour is a great choice, but you can also use whole wheat or spelt flours. Just make sure you keep the proportions.
    What's the difference between apple cake and apple pie?
    The apple cake doesn't need a crust. To make a vegan apple pie, you need a vegan crust and then use either unsweetened applesauce or make a moister apple filling.

    Can I add chocolate chips to an apple cake batter?

    Yes! Make a double batch and add dark chocolate chunks, raisins, cranberries, or leftover cranberry sauce.

    If you love healthy apple recipes, don´t forget to give a go to our delicious brown sugar and apple oatmeal and our cinnamon apple smoothie, which is low in calories and high in protein.

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    If you liked this cake you may also like our sweet potato cake.

    ⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

    📋 Recipe

    baked apple slices arranged in a spiral pattern on top of the batter

    Vegan Buttermilk and Gluten-Free Apple Cake

    Author: Gustavo De Obaldia
    How to make an apple cake vegan and gluten-free. We give you all the tips to make a vegan apple cake perfectly moist with simple everyday ingredients.
    4.9 from 45 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast & Brunch, Snack, Sweet
    Cuisine American, Comfort Food, Italian-Inspired
    Servings 8 slices
    Calories 331 kcal

    Equipment

    nine inch cake tin.
    (affiliate link)
    9-inch cake tin (affiliate link)
    Tovolo Stainless Steel Deep Mixing Kitchen Metal Bowls for Baking & Marinating, Dishwasher-Safe
    (affiliate link)
    Bowl (affiliate link)

    Ingredients
     
     

    APPLE MIX

    • 5 apple small, 1.4 lb ~650 gr or so, peeled and cubed
    • 1 lemon juice and zest, divide juice (2 tablespoons for the apples’ mix + 1 for the vegan buttermilk)
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon ground

    DRY INGREDIENTS

    • 1 ¾ cup gluten-free flour all-purpose, or Type 00 flour, works well if not following a gluten-free diet.
    • ¾ cup brown cane sugar or regular granulated sugar + 2 tablespoons
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder

    WET INGREDIENTS

    • 2 chia eggs 2 tablespoons chia seeds + 6 tablespoons warm water
    • ⅓ cup flaxseed oil or extra virgin olive oil
    • 6 tablespoons vegan buttermilk made with 5 tablespoons of plant milk (preferable soy milk + 1 tablespoon of lemon juice)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Optional

    • Sugar-free powdered sugar to decorate
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Directions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 ºF (180 ºC). Lightly grease and flour a 9-inch pan.
    • Prepare the chia egg by adding 6 tablespoons of warm water to 2 tablespoons of chia seeds. Set aside for 10 minutes.
    • In a medium bowl, prepare the vegan buttermilk by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice to 5 tablespoons of plant milk (preferable soy). Set aside for 10 minutes.
    • Peel, core, and cube the apples. Toss the apple cubes with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, the lemon zest, and the cinnamon powder. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, sieve the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and baking powder. Set aside.
    • Mix wet ingredients. To the buttermilk vegan bowl, add the chia eggs, vanilla, oil, and whisk until well combined.
    • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and combine. Don't over mix (especially if using non-gluten-free flour). Once most of the flour is incorporated, fold in the apples.
    • Spread the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle with extra brown sugar, and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Enjoy at room temperature or cool.

    Video

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 331kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 119mgPotassium: 197mgFiber: 7gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 111IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram and Hashtag it #ourplantbasedworld so we can see what's cooking!!
    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Buttermilk and Gluten-Free Apple Cake
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    331
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    11
    g
    17
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    7
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Sodium
     
    119
    mg
    5
    %
    Potassium
     
    197
    mg
    6
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    58
    g
    19
    %
    Fiber
     
    7
    g
    29
    %
    Sugar
     
    33
    g
    37
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    111
    IU
    2
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    13
    mg
    16
    %
    Calcium
     
    140
    mg
    14
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.

    Affiliate Disclaimer

    Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.

    gustavo de obaldia headshot.
    Gustavo De Obaldia
    Website |  + postsBio

    As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.89 from 45 votes (22 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lisa

      April 12, 2022 at 8:14 pm

      5 stars
      I've got some Arkansas Black apples that I aged from last season, and have been looking for the perfect recipe to use them. This is it! Thank you!

      Reply
    2. nancy

      February 14, 2022 at 10:59 pm

      5 stars
      this apple cake is so moist and tasty! best of all it is gluten free and vegan!

      Reply
      • Gus

        February 17, 2022 at 9:32 pm

        Oh yes! we did all the tests to get the perfect vegan and gluten-free version out there!

        Reply
    3. Katie

      February 14, 2022 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      This apple cake out so perfect and delicious!! This is definitely a new go to recipe!

      Reply
      • Gus

        February 14, 2022 at 11:13 pm

        I am glad you liked the recipe, Katie! Thanks for your review!

        Reply
    4. Savita

      January 13, 2022 at 1:58 pm

      5 stars
      This apple cake looks so gorgeous and delicious too. Perfect for dessert.

      Reply
    5. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      January 13, 2022 at 1:29 pm

      5 stars
      I love an apple cake and this one looks so tempting with those lovely chunks of apples and classic flavours.

      Reply
    6. Ali - We Made This Vegan

      January 13, 2022 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love cake recipes that include fruit - it's a great way to get some extra goodness into my kiddies and it's a delicious added texture element too.

      Reply
      • Gus

        January 13, 2022 at 1:48 pm

        nice! Thank you for letting us know! We will make more of them! Is nice to hear the cakes are appreciated! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Art

      December 01, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely delicious! I have a bunch of apples on hand. So many amazing and clean ingredients. I can't wait to make this soon!

      Reply
    8. Dana Sandonato

      December 01, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      I've got total heart-eyes over this. Those big apple-y chunks!! So good!! It's amazing to me how far vegan and GF recipes have come. You'd never know the difference with these.

      Reply
    9. Natalie

      December 01, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful cake. Seasonal and looks delicious. Just how my grandma used to make, only vegan. I'll bake it this weekend.

      Reply
      • Gus

        December 01, 2021 at 3:53 pm

        Natalie, thank you for this lovely review. I'm so glad to hear that you liked the cake and found it easy to bake too!
        I really appreciate your feedback on the seasonality of our cakes. We work hard to make sure we're always baking with seasonal ingredients because we know how important it is for people like you who are looking for a treat that reflects what's in season at any given time of year.

        Reply
    10. Amanda Dixon

      December 01, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      We just adored this cake! The apples were perfectly spiced and made for such a cozy dessert, and the texture was so, so moist. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Gus

        December 01, 2021 at 3:50 pm

        That makes us so happy Amanda! We love this cake as we have it both for dessert and breakfast! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Elaine Benoit

      December 01, 2021 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      For some reason, there is nothing more satisfying than apple cake. I made this to bring to my family's Thanksgiving gathering and it was a hit. I didn't tell anyone it was vegan and gluten free :).

      Reply
      • Gus

        December 01, 2021 at 3:52 pm

        Thank you Elaine for your review of our apple cake. We're so happy that it was a hit with your family and friends!

        It's always nice to hear when someone doesn't even realize they are eating vegan or gluten-free food because the taste is so good. I'm glad we were able to help you make this Thanksgiving gathering special for everyone who attended!

        Reply
    12. Lauren Michael Harris

      November 30, 2021 at 3:13 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe! My husband is gluten free and loves apple pie but not the gf crust. This cake is much more his taste!

      Reply
    13. Matej @ Cook

      November 30, 2021 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      Guess what? I have some ripe apples waiting to get used just now, so now I know what they are going to be used for. Nice recipe, thanks!

      Reply
      • Gus

        November 30, 2021 at 3:17 pm

        Great! Let's put those apples to good use!

        Reply
    14. Gina

      November 30, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      The chunks of apples in this cake are so delicious! And the texture is perfect which is so hard to accomplish sometimes in vegan/GF baked goods.

      Reply
    15. Danielle Wolter

      November 30, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      I am for sure going to make this for Christmas. It sounds so delicious and I love that it's vegan!

      Reply
      • Gus

        November 30, 2021 at 1:36 pm

        You will love it! And is so easy to make!

        Reply
    16. Claudia Lamascolo

      November 30, 2021 at 12:35 pm

      5 stars
      We just got a bushel this is perfect timing and I can wait to try this recipe!

      Reply
      • Gus

        November 30, 2021 at 1:36 pm

        I am glad to hear that Claudia! Let us know how it goes!

        Reply
        • Holley

          January 13, 2022 at 1:04 pm

          5 stars
          I'm so glad I get to eat Apple Pie again! Having to go gluten free (not by choice) made me sad missing one of my favorite pies. I don't have to be sad anymore with this recipe! Thanks for sharing!

        • Gus

          January 13, 2022 at 1:48 pm

          Oh! I am glad to hear this recipe helped! Thanks for your feedback! Means a lot to us!

        • Flor

          February 15, 2022 at 11:28 pm

          5 stars
          Amazing!!

    Newer Comments »

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