Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This gluten-free apple cake is a delicious, simple treat that’s also healthier than traditional cakes. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup, making it refined sugar-free, and packed with apples, providing a warm and comforting flavor. This one-bowl recipe is quick to mix up and even easier to enjoy!
What You’ll Need to Make This Gluten-Free Apple Cake
- Milk (I used almond milk): Adds moisture to the cake, keeping it soft. Almond milk makes it dairy-free, but any milk will work.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: A natural sweetener that brings sweetness without refined sugar. Maple syrup keeps it vegan-friendly.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds a touch of natural sweetness and moisture while reducing the need for additional fats.
- Melted Coconut Oil: This healthy fat keeps the cake moist and tender. It also adds a subtle coconut flavor, enhancing the cake’s richness.
- Large Eggs: Bind the cake ingredients together, providing structure and moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor with a subtle sweetness that pairs well with the apples and cinnamon.
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base of the cake while keeping it gluten-free. Any 1:1 gluten-free blend should work. I use and love Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour in my gluten-free recipes!
- Almond Flour: Adds moisture and a slightly nutty flavor, while also making the cake nice and tender!
- Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.
- Cinnamon: Brings warmth and coziness to the cake, pairing perfectly with the apple slices.
- Apple, Thinly Sliced: Provides sweet, tart bites throughout the cake, enhancing flavor and texture.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- Sugar: Adds sweetness and creates a caramelized crust on top of the cake.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm, comforting spice that pairs well with apples.
- Melted Butter or Coconut Oil: Helps the topping adhere to the cake and caramelize in the oven, creating a golden, crunchy layer.
How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Cake
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F, and line and grease a 9×9-inch cake pan for easy release.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, maple syrup, applesauce, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, and cinnamon to the bowl, mixing gently until just combined.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the thinly sliced apples to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter or coconut oil, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the cake batter.
- Bake: Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Optional Topping: Just before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple powdered sugar icing for a little extra sweetness.
Storage Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze individual slices for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge before serving.
What Type of Apples Are Best for Apple Cake?
Opt for tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These hold their shape well during baking and balance the sweetness of the cake!
Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs
- Dairy-Free: Use almond milk and coconut oil as written for a dairy-free version.
- Vegan: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water per egg) and choose maple syrup as the sweetener.
- Low Sugar: Reduce or omit the maple syrup for a naturally less-sweet cake, and use less sugar in the topping if desired.
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake
This gluten-free cinnamon sugar apple cake is perfect for fall and cozy gatherings! Made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour, applesauce, and maple syrup, it’s moist, flavorful, and has a sweet, spiced topping for an extra treat. It’s healthy, gluten-free, and can easily be made dairy-free with just ONE bowl!
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Servings: 16 servings
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- 1 9×9-inch baking pan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk) at room temperature
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour see Notes
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 apple cored and very thinly sliced
For the cinnamon sugar topping:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit then line and lightly grease a 9×9-inch cake pan (round or square).
- Add the milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to a large bowl then whisk to combine.
- Then, add in the gluten-free all purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon and gently mix until just combined.
- Fold the thinly sliced apples into the cake batter until evenly distributed throughout the batter, then transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan.
- In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients for the cinnamon sugar topping, then sprinkle the topping evenly over top of the cake.
- Bake the cake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted down the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven, then remove the cake from the pan and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before serving. Just before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with powdered sugar icing!
Notes
Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour: I use and love Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Flour.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.5g | Protein: 2.8g | Fat: 7.9g | Sugar: 8.8g
