Description
This vegan apple cake is soft, moist, and full of sweet apple flavor, with a crisp cinnamon-sugar crust. Perfect for dessert, a snack, or even breakfast, it’s made with simple plant-based ingredients and comes together easily.
Ingredients
4 apples (about 2½ chopped for the batter, 1½ sliced thinly for topping)
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for topping
1 cup almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
¼ cup olive oil or neutral vegetable oil
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
Zest of ½ lemon (optional)
⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C) and line an 8.5-inch (21 cm) cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together almond milk, olive oil, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt, then mix until you have a smooth, thick batter. Do not overmix.
- Core and chop 2½ apples and gently fold them into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, then arrange the thin apple slices from the remaining apples on top in a circular pattern.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with the cinnamon and sprinkle it evenly over the top.
- Bake the cake in the center of the oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted comes out mostly dry.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing it, then allow it to cool for at least an hour before slicing and serving.
Notes
Swap half the flour with whole wheat for a wholesome twist.
Add nutmeg or allspice for extra spice.
Use pears instead of apples for variation.
Stir in chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture.
Drizzle with maple syrup before serving for extra flavor.
Store at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheat in microwave for 15–20 seconds or oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 263 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
