Vegan apple cake - this simple, rustic cake is easy to make in just one bowl and is utterly delicious. Moist, lightly spiced and packed full of juicy apples it is the perfect cake for snacking; or try it warm with custard for pudding!
I had been craving apple cake since as soon as the weather started to turn colder, and this vegan apple cake recipe has been a little while in the making.
I always thoroughly test my recipes before I am happy to post them and I must have tried about ten different variations of apple cake before I was finally happy this time!
The good news is that my apple cake cravings have been fully satisfied after all that testing and this vegan apple cake is The One!
It is a soft, moist, lightly spiced cake with a crunchy sugar topping and plenty of juicy apples. It is the kind of simple, rustic cake that it is impossible to just have one slice of!
Some vegan yogurt and ground almonds in the batter keep the texture of the cake wonderfully soft, moist and tender. I went pretty heavy on the apples, this is an apple cake after all, and the cake itself is not overly sweet; meaning that you could even eat it for breakfast...
In addition to breakfast, afternoon tea or snacking on, this vegan apple cake is also amazing served warm for pudding, with a scoopful of ice cream or plenty of custard.
How To Make Vegan Apple Cake:
(For ingredients and full instructions see the recipe card below)
*For the best results make sure that you follow the recipe closely. As always, I highly recommend using the gram measurements (with a digital scale), rather than the cup conversions. Cup measurements are simply not accurate enough for baking and I cannot guarantee the best results if you use them.*
Start by greasing a deep 20cm/8 inch round cake tin and line it with baking parchment. It needs to be at least 8cm / 3 inches deep to avoid overflow.
Peel and core your apples and chop them into 1-1.5cm dice. Set aside while you make the batter.
In a large bowl whisk together plain flour, light brown soft sugar, caster sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, ground almonds, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and salt until no lumps remain.
Add unsweetened non-dairy milk (soy is best for baking), non-dairy yogurt (I used plain soy), sunflower oil (another neutral oil is fine) and lemon juice and whisk gently until no dry lumps remain.
Add the diced apples and fold them through.
Transfer the batter to the prepared tin and spread it level. Scatter some demarera sugar over the top to create a nice crunchy topping and bake the cake for about 1 hour 20 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 20 minutes then very carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. It is very delicate when it is warm so be careful with it. Once the cake is cool store it in an airtight container for up to five days.
What Kind Of Apples Should I Use?:
In short, use whatever kind you like! I prefer a sharper tasting apple so that more flavour comes through but it doesn't really matter too much. I used half Granny Smith and half Braeburn apples for this cake.
Top Tips:
As with all of my baking recipes I really do recommend using the metric measurements with a digital scale rather than the cup conversions. Cups are a wildly inaccurate measuring system and you will get far better, more consistent results using a scale, not to mention that it is also easier and less messy than cups!
The tin you use should be at least 8 cm / 3 inches deep to avoid the cake overflowing.
Some ground almonds in the batter give this cake a lovely texture, but if you want to make it nut free then you can swap them for an equal weight of plain flour instead.
Don't overmix the batter as that can activate the gluten in the flour and make the cake tough. Only mix until no dry lumps remain. I recommend mixing by hand with a balloon whisk rather than using an electric mixer.
This is a delicate cake, especially when it is warm. All those juicy chunks of apple make it quite fragile so I really recommend using a springform or loose bottomed cake tin so that you can remove the cake from the tin without having to flip it out and risk it breaking.
Don't turn the cake out of the tin too early or you risk it breaking. Let it cool in the tin for 20 minutes before you turn it out to give it a chance to settle.
Use the toothpick test to check when the cake is ready - if a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean then the cake is done. You may need to try it in a few spots to avoid apple chunks.
Ways To Adapt This Vegan Apple Cake:
Try adding a couple of handfuls of raisins along with the apple.
Chuck in a couple of handfuls of roughly chopped nuts.
Add a streusel topping instead of the demarera sugar.
Add some chopped crystallised or stem ginger and up the ground ginger to 1 ½ tsp.
More Autumnal Vegan Cakes:
Pumpkin chocolate chip cake bars
Vegan beetroot chocolate cake with chocolate avocado frosting
Vegan pumpkin cake with cinnamon buttercream and maple pecans
Sweet potato bread with pecan streusel
Orange and almond cake with chocolate buttercream
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Vegan Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 4 medium eating apples (about 450g unprepared weight) (I used a mix of braeburn and granny smith)
- 250 g (2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 100 g (½ cup + 1 Tbsp) light brown soft sugar
- 80 g (⅓ cup + 1 Tbsp) caster sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 60 g (½ cup) ground almonds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 160 ml (⅔ cup) unsweetened non-dairy milk (I use soy)
- 80 g (⅓ cup) non-dairy yogurt (I use soy)
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) sunflower oil (or another neutral oil)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 heaped Tbsp demarera sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Grease a deep 20cm/8 inch round cake tin and line it with baking parchment.
- Peel and core the apples and chop into 1-1.5cm dice. Set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, light brown soft sugar, caster sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, ground almonds, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and salt until no lumps remain.
- Add the milk, yogurt, oil and lemon juice and whisk gently until no dry lumps remain. Add the apples and fold through.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared tin and spread it level. Scatter the demarera sugar over the top and bake for about 1 hour 20 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 20 minutes then very carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. It is very delicate when it is warm so be careful with it. Once the cake is cool store in an airtight container.
Notes
- As with all of my baking recipes I really do recommend using the metric measurements with a digital scale rather than the cup conversions. Cups are a wildly inaccurate measuring system and you will get far better, more consistent results using a scale, not to mention that it is also easier and less messy than cups!
- The tin you use should be at least 8 cm / 3 inches deep to avoid the cake overflowing.
- The yogurt can be swapped for unsweetened applesauce.
- The ground almonds in the batter give this cake a lovely texture, but if you want to make it nut free then you can swap them for an equal weight of plain flour instead.
- Don’t overmix the batter as that can activate the gluten in the flour and make the cake tough. Only mix until no dry lumps remain. I recommend mixing by hand with a balloon whisk rather than using an electric mixer.
- This is a delicate cake, especially when it is warm. All those juicy chunks of apple make it quite fragile so I really recommend using a springform or loose bottomed cake tin so that you can remove the cake from the tin without having to flip it out and risk it breaking.
- Don’t turn the cake out of the tin too early or you risk it breaking. Let it cool in the tin for 20 minutes before you turn it out to give it a chance to settle.
- Use the toothpick test to check when the cake is ready – if a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean then the cake is done. You may need to try it in a few spots to avoid apple chunks.
Sherry
Can I use applesauce in place if the oil?? Can’t wait to make this cake it has great reviews!!
Hannah
Hi Sherry, I personally wouldn't, I think that it may make the texture gummy. I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure though.
Victoria
Could you use cooking/Bramley apples for this cake? I have a glut!
Hannah
Hi Victoria, that should be fine, they just might not keep their shape as well as eating apples.
Denise Kurtz
Can you use a 9” round cake pan instead of the 8” (so it doesn’t overflow)?
Hannah
Hi Denise, you can but the cake will be quite thin and will probably bake a bit quicker.
Pamela Butler
I have made this cake so many times and people have asked me to then make it for them. Very popular. I only cook it for an hour in my oven and it comes out very moist. Very subtle flavour and good for both cake and pudding as suggested.
Juliet
This cake is amazing - thank you so much for posting the recipe. My partner said it reminded him of a Dutch Apple cake he had in Rotterdam a few years ago and has never had one as good until now and indeed better!
I used almond milk as I didn't have soy and also vegan coconut yogurt but apart from that followed the recipe exactly. Oh, and I only have a square deep pan...! This cake is perfectly light, moist and spiced with a light crust. We had it with vegan vanilla ice-cream and actually both went back for a second portion each at one sitting!
Thank you again for posting the recipe.
Silke
This looks lovely! Do you think I could make it in a loaf tin? If so, would it best to do half quantities (or perhaps 2/3 or 3/4)?
Hannah
Hi Silke, I haven't tried making it in a loaf tin but I think that it would work ok. Not entirely sure on the quantity, but I reeckon 3/4 would be about right.
Louise
I made this today following the recipe exactly but without the ground almonds (didn’t have any but will make it with them next time). Following Pamela’s comments I checked it after an hour and it was cooked. It is absolutely delicious and I will definitely make it again. My husband gave it 11/10! A real winner, thank you.
Tara
This was super delicious! And kept moist for many days after baking
Elaine
So simple - didn't have non-dairy yogurt so used a prune yogurt I had - was absolutely delicious. Will try to make it vegan next time round.
Myra
Hello from Florida! This is a clever and delicious treat. The batter really does need 1hour and 20 minutes 🙂 plane was not available, so I used the vanilla soy yogurt. Worked out great. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Amanda Powell
Thank you Hannah for another amazing recipe. Everything I've tried of yours has been delicious - my favourites are the bakewell tart, coffee and walnut cake and gingerbread biscuits. But now I have to add this apple cake to that list - it is absolutely spectacular. I've made many apple cakes, including a favourite from pre-vegan days that involved loads of sour cream, but this is by far the best. I followed the recipe to a t and it was so good - perfectly spiced and just the right sweetness. It smelt so good I didn't wait for it to cool and just had a slice still warm with some oat cream - heavenly!
Mumma K
My go to apple cake recipe. Never fails to delight! Thank you for helping to make vegan baking delicious! x
Charlotte Lee
Gorgeous. Can this be frozen please?
Hannah
Hi Charlotte, yes it freezes well 🙂
Ellie
This is utterly fantastic!! Easy to make and absolutely delicious! Thank you 🙂
Claire
I’m lucky to have several apple trees in my garden and don’t want to waste any so have been looking for some recipes I can use some of them in. I’ve tried a few but this one has so far been my favourite. I know it’s food when I keep going back for more (and I’m ashamed to say it hasn’t even fully cooled yet).
It looked like it was almost ready way before the time was up, so I popped some foil over it for a while to stop it browning too much, and only gave it an hour. Maybe my oven is warmer than it’s telling me. Either way, lovely flavour, lovely moist texture, not too sweet and delicately spiced. I am now I autumn mode!
Barbara Cox
Another brilliant recipe - thank you. I’m new to vegan baking and your recipes all turn out so well, tasty, and so easy to do. Why did I ever bake with eggs and butter! Apple cake and fruit loaf will certainly be my go to bakes.
Emily
This really does tick all the boxes for the quintessential spiced apple cake. Love how much apple it packs in, and the texture is so lovely, spices are just right. I used half whole wheat pastry flour this time, I love the nutty flavor it brings. I also used a 9-inch tin, and it baked in about an hour. Did not find it to be too thin, slices are still lovely and thick enough. Oh decreased sugar by 25% bc we prefer a bit less sweetness. Such a delicious cake.
Jo
Made this today and seriously the best apple cake I've ever made - hands down! Was low on ground almonds so subbed finely chopped walnuts for a little bit of texture. Lovely spice level and texture. Already wondering if I have enough ingredients to make a second to freeze. Great recipe - thanks so much
Dawn
Delicious, thinking of using wholemeal self raising flour next time, do you think this would work?
Hannah
Hi Dawn, I actually have a wholemeal apple cake recipe: https://domesticgothess.com/blog/2022/01/11/simple-wholemeal-apple-cake/
Viv
This cake is delicious and easy to make. Thank you so much for the recipe x
Carol Gray
Lovely, moist cake great for using up some of the annual apple glut. I used ground walnuts instead of almonds. This will definitely be my go-to vegan apple cake recipe from now on.