This apple vegan cake recipe is naturally sweetened with unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, and coconut sugar, making it not only vegan, but refined sugar free, too. This cake has fresh apple chunks inside and a delicious powdered sugar topping.
This apple cake is packed with fall flavors like cinnamon and apple pie spice that make it the perfect fall dessert. This is a great cake to make for Halloween or Thanksgiving gatherings because everyone is sure to enjoy it, even if they aren't vegan!
This cake was inspired by my cinnamon apple waffles, and pairs well with this pumpkin spice iced latte. Make all the fall treats and enjoy the season while you can.
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Vegan Cake Ingredients
Part of what makes this vegan bundt cake so great is all the healthy ingredients. There is nothing better than a delicious cake that is good for your body at the same time.
- ground flax seed: flax seed is a great source of fiber and Omega 3s. It is used as the flax egg in this recipe as a vegan egg substitute.
- whole wheat pastry flour: whole wheat pastry flour has more nutritional benefits than all-purpose flour.
- coconut sugar: coconut sugar is an unrefined sugar that contains more vitamins and minerals than cane sugar.
- ground cinnamon & apple pie spice: this adds the classic, rich fall flavors to the cake.
- ground cloves: ground cloves add a cozy, warm flavor to the cake in addition to the cinnamon.
- baking powder & soda: these are the leavening agents in the vegan cake, helping it rise and giving it a tender crumb.
- salt: salt is used to balance the flavors and enhance the sweetness!
- medium apples: granny smith apples work well in this recipe, but you may use any kind.
- unsweetened applesauce: this is one of the natural sweeteners in the recipe, also giving more apple flavor to the cake.
- pure maple syrup: pure maple syrup adds a rich, maple flavor and sweetens the cake.
- coconut oil: this is a healthier oil that keeps the apple cake moist and soft.
- pure vanilla extract: vanilla adds a warm aroma to the cake and enhances the flavors.
- powdered sugar: dust this on top of the baked cake for a pretty finish!
How to Make the Vegan Apple Bundt Cake
If you've never made a bundt cake before, don't worry. This cake is so easy to make and makes your house smell amazing and full of fall spice when it bakes.
STEP 1: Prepare flax egg. In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons ground flax seed with six tablespoons water. Stir, then let stand for 5-10 minutes to thicken.
STEP 2: Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice, ground cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir, then set aside.
STEP 3: Chop apples. Rinse and chop two apples into small bite-sized pieces. Toss the chopped apple in three tablespoons flour until well coated. This prevents the apple chunks from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.
STEP 4: Whisk wet ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla.
STEP 5: Combine wet and dry. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently fold together. Then, add in the chopped apple. Stir until just combined. Don't overmix.
STEP 6: Grease pan. Thoroughly spray a bundt cake pan with non-stick cooking spray. Be sure to oil all the crevices of the pan. Then, coat the greased pan lightly with coconut sugar. This helps the cake slide out clean.
STEP 7: Bake. Pour the cake batter into the bundt pan. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 65-75 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean. Let stand in the pan for 3-4 minutes, then carefully flip it over and gently encourage the cake out of the pan.
TIP: If your bundt cake doesn't slide out of the pan by itself, gentle wiggle the pan side to side to help encourage the cake away from the pan edges. Turn it upside down and gently tap on the pan to encourage it out. Be sure to allow the cake to cool a few minutes before removing it.
Top the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar once it's cool and out of the pan, if you like. It adds that "wow" factor! Slice, serve, and enjoy.
Substitutions to the Cake
If you need to make substitutions to the vegan apple cake, read on to know how to make successful changes.
- Oil-Free Cake - instead of using coconut oil, add an additional ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce to make it an oil-free vegan apple cake.
- Whole Wheat Flour - For an even healthier, whole-grain cake, you can use whole wheat flour in place of whole wheat pastry flour. Whole wheat flour has a stronger wheat flavor and isn't as light as pastry flour, but it has the best nutritional profile.
- Using Eggs - if you prefer to use chicken's eggs in the recipe, replace the flax egg with one egg. Just remember the cake won't be vegan if you make this change.
Variations to the Apple Cake
Everyone has their own taste when it comes to cakes. If you want to ensure certain flavors come through, I have a few suggestions.
- Fall Spice Cake - this apple cake has lots of fall spices as is. However, if you want a super-strong, fall flavor, consider adding an extra teaspoon of apple pie spice.
- Sweeter Cake - instead of using granny smith apples, use gala or honeycrisp apples for a sweeter taste. If you like your cake extra-sweet, add an additional ¼ cup coconut sugar.
- Maple Extract - in addition to pure vanilla extract, add some maple extract for a more vibrant flavor!
- Add a Glaze - if you don't want to use powdered sugar on top of your apple cake, you can easily make a glaze. This dairy-free glaze is easy and delicious.
If you're looking for a pumpkin cake that's just as good as this one, check out this vegan pumpkin banana bread that's great for fall, too.
Choosing a Bundt Cake Pan
There are dozens of cake pan options out there to choose from, and some bundt cakes are more intricate than others. If you're a beginner to bundt cakes, I recommend using a simple cake pan to ensure you don't have too much trouble removing the cake. However, if you're a more experienced baker, feel free to go crazy with fancy, intricate pans!
Whatever bundt cake pan you choose, make sure it has a non-stick coating. Take time to grease every nook and cranny. After all, nobody likes to have their cake get stuck in the pan!
Storing the Apple Vegan Cake
My household finished this cake in 24 hours, it was so good. You can keep this cake covered on the counter for up to 2 days. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge to save it up to one week.
To freeze the apple cake, wrap each slice in saran wrap and then place in an airtight container in the freezer. This cake has a lot of moisture, so be sure to thaw it on the counter before enjoying again.
Why You'll Love This Apple Cake
You don't have to be vegan to love this apple bundt cake. It has such a vibrant apple flavor with cozy fall spices that are perfect for the holiday season. This cake is super moist and I guarantee you will be going back for another slice!
For more healthy fall baking, check out these recipes.
If you make this recipe, please consider leaving a review below, and tag me on Instagram so I can see what you made!
Recipe
Apple Vegan Cake
Equipment
- Bundt Cake Pan
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 ½ cups coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Apple Mixture
- 2 medium apples (granny smith works well)
- 3 tablespoons flour for tossing the apples
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut oil melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional Topping
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons ground flax seed with six tablespoons water. Stir, then let stand for 5-10 minutes to thicken. This is the flax egg.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice, ground cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir, then set aside.
- Rinse and chop two apples into small bite-sized pieces. Toss the chopped apple in three tablespoons flour until well coated.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently fold together. Then, add in the chopped apple. Stir until just combined.
- Thoroughly spray a bundt cake pan with non-stick cooking spray. Be sure to oil all the crevices of the pan. Then, coat the greased pan lightly with coconut sugar. This helps the cake slide out clean.
- Pour the cake batter into the bundt pan. Bake in the oven for 65-75 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean. Let stand in the pan for 2-3 minutes, then carefully flip it over and gently encourage the cake out of the pan.
- Dust the cake with powdered sugar if desired. Slice the cake, and serve.
NATALIA says
This bundt cake looks fantastic! Thanks for the detailed instructions, I will definitely try it for the holidays, such a great idea!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Yum! I am loving this apple vegan cake! It is so delicious! It was easy to make and the whole family loved it.
Chris says
Yum! This bundt cake was so juicy, fluffy and so soft! Thank you for this recipe! it was a wonderful fall treat!
Marinela says
This apple vegan cake is such a delicious family-friendly treat! It's full of warm fall flavors and so tasty! Thanks for sharing this simple dessert recipe!
Natalie says
Bundt cakes are so rustic and perfect for colder days. I love your vegan apple cake. It screams Fall. I will definitely bake it.
Lucy says
This apple bundt cake is such a delicious snack or dessert for the colder fall months. It has such a light fluffy moist texture and so much healthier than store bought ones.