Vegan Apple Cake with Cinnamon and Walnut Crumble Recipe
Introduction
This vegan apple cake is a moist, fragrant dessert perfect for any occasion. Packed with cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a crunchy crumble, it’s a comforting treat that’s easy to make and enjoy with your favorite dairy-free accompaniments.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose plain flour (spooned and leveled, see note 1 for gluten-free option)
- 1 cup (190g) packed brown sugar (coconut sugar or regular sugar)
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1 cup (240g) dairy-free milk
- 1 medium-sized apple (180g), grated very coarsely or chopped finely
- 1/2 cup (120g) neutral flavored oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/3 cup (35g) pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose plain flour (or gluten-free all purpose flour)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) vegan butter (spreadable butter or coconut oil, softened)
- 2 tablespoons (25g) packed brown sugar (coconut sugar or regular sugar)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 medium-size apple (180g), sliced thinly
- Powdered sugar / icing sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease or line an 8-inch (20 cm) springform or loose-bottom cake pan with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt (if using). Mix well.
- Step 3: Add the dairy-free milk, grated or finely chopped apple, neutral oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined to form a thick batter.
- Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spoon or spatula.
- Step 5: To prepare the crumb topping, place the pecans, flour, vegan butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Mix with a spoon or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs without large chunks.
- Step 6: Arrange the thinly sliced apple on top of the cake in a fan shape or as desired. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly in the gaps on top of the apple slices.
- Step 7: Bake the cake for 55-60 minutes until done. If the crumble topping browns too quickly, tent the cake with aluminum foil or cover with an oven-safe plate. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, and the middle feels firm to gentle press.
- Step 8: Let the cake rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then remove from the pan and cool completely on a rack.
- Step 9: If desired, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze. Serve with dairy-free yogurt, vegan ice cream, or a cup of coffee.
Tips & Variations
- Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar for a slightly different flavor and lower glycemic index.
- To make the cake gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose baking flour blend.
- Try adding chopped walnuts or raisins to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- For a richer taste, replace some of the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
Storage
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm slices gently in the microwave or oven until heated through.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use another type of apple for this cake?
Yes, you can use any firm apple variety like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp. Just adjust the sweetness to your taste since some apples are sweeter than others.
Is the apple cider vinegar necessary?
The apple cider vinegar helps activate the baking powder, making the cake lighter and fluffier, but it is optional. You can omit it if you prefer.
Print
Vegan Apple Cake with Cinnamon and Walnut Crumble Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This moist and flavorful Vegan Apple Cake is a perfect dairy-free and egg-free dessert packed with fresh apples and warm cinnamon. It features a tender crumb with a crunchy pecan topping, making it an ideal treat for any occasion. Easy to prepare and bake, this cake is excellent served with vegan ice cream or a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose plain flour (spooned and leveled; gluten-free option available)
- 1 cup (190g) packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1 cup (240g) dairy-free milk
- 1 medium-sized apple (180g), grated very coarsely or chopped finely
- 1/2 cup (120g) neutral flavored oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Crumb Topping Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (35g) pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose plain flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) vegan butter (spreadable or softened coconut oil)
- 2 tablespoons (25g) packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 medium-sized apple (180g), sliced thinly
Finishing
- Powdered sugar or icing sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease or line an 8-inch (20 cm) springform or loose-bottom cake pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt (if using). Stir until well blended to ensure even distribution of leavening and spices.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the dairy-free milk, grated or finely chopped apple, neutral oil, apple cider vinegar (if using), and vanilla extract (if using) to the bowl with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing; the batter will be thick.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into your prepared cake pan, smoothing the top evenly with a spoon or spatula for a uniform surface.
- Prepare Crumb Topping: In the same bowl or a small clean bowl, combine chopped pecans, flour, vegan butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Use a spoon or your fingertips to blend the ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with no large chunks of butter remaining.
- Assemble Cake Topping: Arrange the thinly sliced apple on top of the batter in decorative fan shapes or as you desire. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping mixture into the gaps between the apple slices on the cake surface.
- Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes. If the crumble topping browns too quickly, cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil or an oven-safe plate to prevent burning. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs, and the cake feels firm when gently pressed.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes after baking. Then carefully remove the cake from the pan and transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Serve and Store: Before serving, optionally dust the cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze. Enjoy it with dairy-free yogurt, vegan ice cream, or a hot cup of coffee. Store leftovers airtight at room temperature for 1 day, refrigerate up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Using coarsely grated apples ensures moistness and texture within the batter.
- Covering the cake midway through baking prevents the crumb topping from burning.
- Powdered sugar or vegan glaze adds a lovely finishing touch but is optional.
- This cake pairs well with vegan ice cream, dairy-free yogurt, and coffee.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: vegan apple cake, dairy-free dessert, egg-free cake, vegan baking, apple cinnamon cake, plant-based dessert
