Vegan Apple Cake
This no-fuss vegan apple cake is the perfect way to showcase freshly harvested apples during the fall season! Itโs moist and tender with bursts of juicy apples in each bite. Paired with a warming blend of spices and an optional brown sugar glaze, itโs an incredibly comforting yet simple recipe to serve with afternoon tea or coffee.
โค๏ธ Why you’ll love this recipe
- No mixer: Skip the fancy equipment needed for layer cakes โ this vegan apple cake is hand-mixed and doesnโt require any leveling or extravagant decorations.
- Full of apples: Weโve made sure each bite of this vegan apple cake is loaded with juicy bits of apples (itโs in the name after all).
- Versatile: Drizzle on brown sugar glaze for an extra layer of indulgence, add a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or enjoy the cake in its simplest form. Itโs up to you!
- Great for gatherings: The next time you have friends or family over, double the recipe and impress them with this treat! We promise theyโll be asking for seconds!
If you love vegan apple cake, you should check out our vegan apple cider donuts, vegan apple pie, vegan apple crumble, vegan apple crisp, and vegan pumpkin pie.
๐ Easy vegan apple cake
This vegan apple cake merges two of our favorite things โ fall flavors and sweet treats! It’s one of the best ways to utilize extra apples you might have lying around from apple-picking excursions. Once you catch your first whiff of the baked apples and warm spices coming from your oven, you may not want to leave your house until springtime!
This no-fuss dessert is something we make on a regular basis because it doesnโt require nearly as much prep work as other cake recipes. And, by incorporating fresh, diced apples and applesauce, each bite is infused with a moist, delicate crumb and a subtly sweet flavor.
If you want to take your vegan apple cake to the next level, you need to pair it with a brown sugar drizzle. It adds extra moisture and rich caramel notes that will have everyone who tries it asking for the recipe!
๐ Best apples for vegan apple cake
Selecting the right apple variety will take your vegan apple cake from perfect to perfectโer! Generally speaking, firm apples are best for baking. As long as youโve got that, you can use a mix of sweet and tart. Hereโs a list of our favorites:
- Granny Smith: This is our all-around pick for baking. Itโs tart and juicy, bringing balance to the cake’s sweetness. If you only have one choice, we say opt for Granny Smith!
- Honeycrisp or Pink Lady: These varieties are juicy with the perfect sweetness. They’re our top picks for sweet apples.
- Honorable mentions: Fuji, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, and Gala can also work well, but theyโre not quite the same as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.
๐ Ingredients & substitutions
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure for the cake while keeping the crumb tender. Pastry flour wonโt work here. You can use a 1:1 gluten-free blend if needed. If you use gluten-free flour, use the gram weight as opposed to the cup measurement.
- Leavening agents: We use baking powder and baking soda, which reacts with the vegan buttermilk to give the cake its rise. Ensure they’re fresh for the best results.
- Ground spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom add warmth and depth of flavor. Feel free to use store-bought apple pie spice for more convenience.
- Applesauce: Acts as a binder in place of eggs, and provides moisture and natural sweetness. Both homemade and store-bought applesauce will work, just make sure itโs unsweetened.
- Vegan buttermilk: Reacts with the baking soda, giving the cake lift and a soft crumb. For the best vegan buttermilk, make sure to use room-temperature plant milk and vinegar or lemon juice.
- Oil: Adds moisture while keeping the cake texture light. Use any neutral vegetable oil with a high smoke point, like canola, sunflower, safflower, or grapeseed.
- Sugars: We use a blend of granulated and brown sugar to sweeten the cake and add a rich molasses flavor. Opt for organic or vegan-certified sugar. For a refined sugar-free version, try coconut sugar, but it doesnโt add as much moisture as brown sugar so you may need to increase the wet ingredients slightly.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the sweet, warming flavors. Make sure to use pure vanilla extract for the most intense and aromatic results.
- Apples: The star of the cake! Feel free to mix and match the varieties listed above with whatever you have on hand or prefer. We love the tartness of Granny Smith combined with the sweetness of Pink Lady or Honeycrisp!
- Vegan butter: For the glaze, providing richness and a silky-smooth consistency.
- Coconut milk: Youโll need full-fat canned coconut milk for the glaze. If you’re not a coconut fan, barista oat or soy milk may work, but the consistency will vary.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
๐ How to make vegan apple cake
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all those fragrant spices. This step helps evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices, but you can also add the dry ingredients directly to the wet ingredients for less cleanup if you prefer.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients
In another large mixing bowl, whisk the applesauce, vegan buttermilk, oil, both sugars, and vanilla extract until well combined. We love using applesauce since it not only acts as a binder in vegan baking but also adds more apple-y flavors!
Step 3: Combine the batter
Carefully fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet, ensuring they’re combined but not overmixed. Overmixing can lead to a denser cake. Then, fold in those juicy apple chunks!
Chop the apples into even-sized pieces for consistent baking and a uniform texture. We love cubing our apples, but you can also play around with thin slices or grated apples for a unique texture.
Step 4: Bake the cake
Pour your batter into a lightly greased 9×9 baking pan, smoothing the top for an even bake. If youโre feeding a crowd, you can double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan!
Donโt forget to tent your vegan apple cake with foil after about 30 minutes to prevent the top from over-browning. Youโll know itโs done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
Step 5: Make the glaze
You can stop there, or make a brown sugar glaze to pair with your cake. As it cools, heat brown sugar, vegan butter, coconut milk, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Let it come to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer for a few minutes.
Remove the sauce from the heat and sift in powdered sugar, whisking until no clumps remain. Let the glaze cool and thicken as the cake cools, then drizzle it over your vegan apple cake right before serving. Happy eating!
If you have questions about this vegan apple cake recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!
๐ฆ What to serve with vegan apple cake
While we highly recommend serving this vegan apple cake with the brown sugar drizzle, you can try some other options like these:
- Vegan ice cream: A scoop of your favorite vegan ice cream, especially vanilla or caramel, takes this vegan apple cake to another level.
- Vegan whipped cream: Adds a creamy contrast to the cake’s texture.
- Chopped nuts: Try toasted walnuts or pecans for a crunchy contrast.
- Berries: A sprinkle of fresh strawberries adds a tangy touch and a pop of color.
- Dusting: For a simple touch, dust a bit of cinnamon or powdered sugar on top.
๐ก๏ธ Storage & reheating
To keep your vegan apple cake fresh and delicious, follow these storage and reheating tips:
- Fridge: Once cooled, store the rest of your vegan apple cake slices in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Slice the cake, and wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze the wrapped slices in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: For slices from the fridge, microwave them for 20-30 seconds until warm. If youโre reheating from frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat individual slices in the microwave. If you have an air fryer, warming them on low is our favorite method.
โป๏ธ Variations
- Gluten-free flour: Swap out all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend if you have dietary restrictions. Just remember to weigh the flour instead of using cups.
- Different fruit: Experiment with different fruits in your cake. Think pears, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or even pineapple.
- Chocolate: Mix in dark chocolate chips for a rich, extra-sweet version.
- Nuts: Incorporate chopped walnuts or almonds for added crunch and nutty flavor.
๐งโ๐ณ Top tips
- Fresh leavening agents: Always check that your baking powder and baking soda are fresh (well within the expiration date). Additionally, store them in airtight containers as air exposure can also cause deactivation.
- Even apple chunks: Chop the apple pieces to roughly the same size and keep them small to ensure even baking and a consistent texture throughout the cake.
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your wet ingredients, like vegan buttermilk and applesauce, are at room temperature for a smooth, even batter.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the batter until just combined to avoid a dense cake. Overmixing can develop the gluten and make the cake less fluffy.
- Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
- Tent with foil: Remember to tent the cake with foil around the 30-minute mark to prevent the top from browning too quickly.
- Cool completely: Before adding any glaze or cutting into the cake, let it cool completely. This gives the cake time to set and prevents it from turning soggy.
- Try parchment paper: Although we donโt find it necessary, you can line your baking pan with parchment paper to make removal even easier.
๐ฌ FAQ
If your cake turned out denser than expected, it could be due to overmixing the batter. This overdevelops the gluten, making the cake heavy. Stop mixing as soon as you stop seeing streaks or pockets of dry ingredients.
The best method to check for doneness is the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick into the center (thickest part) of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, it’s good to go.
Absolutely! While this is a vegan apple cake, feel free to experiment with other fruits like pears, berries, or even peaches. Just maintain roughly the same amount of fruit in total.
Melted coconut oil or vegan butter can be good substitutes for neutral vegetable oil, but the cake will be slightly heavier. Remember, using coconut oil will add a subtle coconut flavor to the cake, so you may want to opt for refined coconut oil.ย
If your glaze is too runny, you can whisk in additional sifted powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
๐ด More vegan dessert recipes
Looking for more holiday treats like this vegan apple cake? Here are some of our favorite recipes that you should definitely try:
- Vegan Ginger Molasses Cookies: Soft, chewy, and full of warm spices.
- Vegan Pumpkin Bread: Ultra-moist and tender bread infused with pumpkin purรฉe.
- Vegan Pumpkin Cookies: Chewy pumpkin cookies bursting with chocolate.
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pie: A velvety and creamy filling infused with notes of vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Peanut Butter Balls: A quick and easy no-bake dessert made with just four ingredients.
The Easiest Vegan Apple Cake
Equipment
- 9×9 baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
Dry
- 2 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ยพ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 ยฝ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ยผ teaspoon ground ginger
- ยฝ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ยฝ teaspoon fine-grain salt
Wet
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ยพ cup vegan buttermilk (room temperature)
- ยฝ cup neutral vegetable oil (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc.)
- ยพ cup organic granulated sugar
- ยฝ cup organic brown sugar, light or dark
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (ยฝ-inch chunks)
Brown sugar glaze optional
- ยผ cup vegan butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ยฝ cup full-fat coconut milk
- A pinch of fine-grain salt
- ยพ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF and grease a 9ร9-inch baking pan.
Batter
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom together in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Whisk the applesauce, vegan buttermilk, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and whisk until just combined. Fold in the chopped apples gently until evenly dispersed.
Bake
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and smooth the top using a spatula. Bake for 38-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached.
- Note: Around the 30-minute mark, loosely tent the cake with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before topping and slicing.
Optional glaze
- As the cake is cooling, combine the butter, brown sugar, coconut cream, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir the mixture constantly until the butter has melted, then stop stirring and let the mixture come to a boil. Keep it at a boil for 1 minute, then turn the heat down to low, stir the mixture, and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and sift in the powdered sugar, whisking until itโs incorporated. Let the glaze cool for about 20 minutes as the cake cools.
- Drizzle the glaze over your vegan apple cake right before serving. Happy eating!
Video
Notes
- Fresh leavening agents: Always check that your baking powder and baking soda are fresh (well within the expiration date). Additionally, store them in airtight containers as air exposure can also cause deactivation.ย
- Even apple chunks: Chop the apple pieces to roughly the same size and keep them small to ensure even baking and a consistent texture throughout the cake.
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your wet ingredients, like vegan buttermilk and applesauce, are at room temperature for a smooth, even batter.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the batter until just combined to avoid a dense cake. Overmixing can develop the gluten and make the cake less fluffy.
- Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
- Tent with foil: Remember to tent the cake with foil around the 30-minute mark to prevent the top from browning too quickly.
- Cool completely: Before adding any glaze or cutting into the cake, let it cool completely. This gives the cake time to set and prevents it from turning soggy.
- Try parchment paper: Although we donโt find it necessary, you can line your baking pan with parchment paper to make removal even easier.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.
Nutrition
Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.