This vegan apple cake is perfectly spiced, fluffy, light and easy to make. Made with a secret ingredient, this upside down cake has the perfect texture and is the ideal cozy treat for fall. Serve with a scoop of vegan ice cream for the ultimate dessert!
I don't know about you, but I love fruity desserts a lot. Don't get me wrong, I can never pass on something chocolatey. But, oftentimes, a tangy, refreshing treat is exactly what I need.
Apple-based desserts are some of my favorites. Everything from apple crumbles to caramelized apples. Adding cinnamon makes things even better.
And this apple cake is no exception. It's gluten-free, but the addition of a secret ingredient makes it super fluffy and moist. It's perfect with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream.
Upside down desserts are soo much fun! Who agrees?! They are really easy to make when you don't have a lot of time, and taste delicious too.
When it comes to this vegan apple cake, I love the contrast between the fluffy, soft dough and the sweet caramelized apples that practically melt in your mouth.
This apple cake is made with a secret ingredient, which is aquafaba. If you've never heard of aquafaba before, it's basically the liquid from a can of chickpeas.
Sounds weird, but it makes a great egg white substitute in vegan baking. When you whisk it for a long period of time, it turns super soft and fluffy, and then you can add it to whatever. (It's also the secret ingredient in my vegan chocolate mousse!)
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Granny smith apples. I love this apple variety! It works so well in baking recipes, given its delicate and unique flavor. You can, however, try out different apple varieties and see how you like them.
- Aquafaba. Simply drain a can of chickpeas over a bowl and retain the liquid. You can use the chickpeas to make something like my vegan butter 'chicken' or a massaged kale salad with roasted chickpeas.
- Coconut sugar. Make sure to set some aside for dusting the pie dish.
- Lemon juice. I would not recommend removing this as it does help improve the flavor.
- Cinnamon. Because after all, apples and cinnamon is one of the best combos!
- Self-raising gluten-free flour.
Step by Step Instructions
Firstly, peel and chop your apples until you have around 1.8 lbs apple slices in total. Sprinkle some coconut sugar over a pie dish and arrange the apples in a circular pattern, starting from the outside and working in. Repeat, creating layers, until you have used up all the apples.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/350 degrees F. Meanwhile, whip the aquafaba using a handheld mixer until stiff peaks form. This usually takes around 10 minutes, so be patient with it.
Once stiff peaks form, continue whisking and gradually add in the coconut sugar. Next add the lemon juice and cinnamon. Once they are well-combined, stop the mixer and gradually add the flour, mixing using a spatula or a spoon.
Pour the batter into the pie dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until golden brown. When the cake cools down fully, flip it by holding the bottom of the cake while wearing oven gloves, placing a plate or a cake stand on top of it and flipping it over carefully.
Tips & Tricks
Make sure to whip the aquafaba for long enough. This is essential for a light, fluffy and soft texture.
Wait for the cake to cool down fully before flipping it. You can then reheat the slices on a microwave-proof plate before serving.
For extra texture and crunch, you can add around ½ cup nuts (walnuts in particular work well) into the batter after mixing in the flour.
Serving Ideas
This vegan apple cake is good enough to eat on its own, but a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream turns it into a proper dessert, especially while the cake is still a little warm from the oven and the caramelized apples are soft and glossy. A drizzle of vegan caramel sauce or a light dusting of powdered sugar over the apple layer also looks great if you're serving this to guests.
For breakfast or brunch, skip the ice cream and serve a slice with a dollop of coconut yogurt and a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai. The warm cinnamon and apple flavors work just as well in the morning as they do after dinner.
Storing & Freezing
Leftover cake can sit at room temperature, covered, for a day if your kitchen is cool. For longer storage, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days - the apples release moisture as they sit, so the cake actually tastes even more moist on day two.
To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or in a low oven until heated through, before serving.
More Vegan Desserts
If you love this vegan apple cake, be sure to check out these other delicious vegan desserts.
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- Conventional oven
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar, (plus more for sprinkling over the pie dish)
- 1.8 lbs Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped (weigh after preparation)
- ½ cup aquafaba, (liquid from 1 can chickpeas)
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup gluten-free flour, self-raising; if your blend isn't self-raising, whisk in 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Prepare the pie dish by either lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper (see recipe notes for instructions). Sprinkle some coconut sugar over the pie dish and arrange the apples in a circular pattern, starting from the outside and working in. Repeat, creating layers, until you have used up all the apples.
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/350 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, whip the aquafaba using a handheld mixer until stiff peaks form. This usually takes around 10 minutes, so be patient with it.
- Once stiff peaks form, continue whisking and gradually add in the coconut sugar. Next add the lemon juice and cinnamon. Once they are well-combined, stop the mixer and gradually add the flour, mixing using a spatula or a spoon.
- Pour the batter into the pie dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until golden brown. When the cake cools down fully, flip it by holding the bottom of the cake while wearing oven gloves, placing a plate or a cake stand on top of it and flipping it over carefully.
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