A delicious, tender and moist -- even healthy -- vegan Apple Cake that's made with whole wheat. This makes a perfect snack or dessert. Vegan, soy-free and nut-free recipe.
Desi loves apple pie and the way he usually reminds me that he is craving one is by declaring, "I've forgotten what an apple pie tastes like."
But an apple pie like this vegan skillet apple pie -- as divine as it is -- is not always the healthiest option (fruit notwithstanding). So, some years ago, I came up with this vegan Apple Cake recipe that is all whole-wheat, tastes exquisite, and gives all of the satisfaction of pie without the guilt. I shared the recipe with you all those years back, but I've updated it for you with new photos and an optional drizzle/glaze that Jay loves, although I've made no modifications to the cake recipe itself -- it's just that perfect.
This is whole wheat cake, with very little fat added, and yet it's also supremely moist and flavorful and really, really delicious.
The apples bake into juicy little bits scattered throughout the cake, and the walnuts add pockets of nutty crunch. If you are looking for a kid-friendly snack, or an adult-friendly dessert (or breakfast), you couldn't do better.
How to bake the perfect vegan apple cake:
This is a rather easy recipe, and it's quite foolproof. But even so, here are some tips for ensuring success in your baking efforts:
- If you can't find or don't want to use whole wheat pastry flour, use a half-and-half mix of unbleached all purpose flour and whole wheat flour. You can also use all unbleached all purpose.
- Use a neutral vegetable oil, like avocado oil. Coconut and olive both have strong flavors that will linger in your cake, and you don't want to detract from the wholesome flavor of apples here.
- This cake contains a cup of sugar, but if your apples are very sweet, you can use less. You can use ¾ of a cup of sugar and add ¼ cup of applesauce to add some moisture back in. This is a useful tip for anyone who wants to cut down on sugar in a recipe. Sugar acts as a "wet" ingredient in baked goods, because when it melts it becomes liquid. When you remove sugar from a recipe, you remove moisture and your baked good can turn out dry. Applesauce provides a great option when substituting some of the sugar because it adds tenderness and moisture to a recipe. Don't overdo it, though. Replacing one-fourth of the sugar with applesauce is fine, but replacing three-fourths of it is not and is going to show in your results by making the cake so tender, it'll probably fall apart.
- I used an easy applesauce glaze on this cake, to make it prettier and to intensify the apple flavor. You don't absolutely need it, and the cake is just as delicious without it.
What is the best apple to use in the cake?
This is a question that I asked almost every time I made a recipe with apples, and you'll find reams and reams dedicated to the perfect baking apple on the internet. And while you will want to be a little more careful about the apple you choose for a pie or a tart, where your apples will be quite visible, the short answer for this cake is: don't sweat it too much.
While you don't want to use a powdery apple, like a red delicious, which will fall apart, most others will work fine here.
I keep pink ladies on hand most of the time because they are great eating and baking apples, and that's what I used this time, but Granny Smiths, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisps, Braeburns, Jonagolds all work just as well.
You don't even have to peel your apples for this recipe. But make sure you use organic apples.
Can I freeze this apple cake?
Yes, you can, if you have a will of iron and can resist polishing it off at one go. 🙂 Make sure you wrap it in cling wrap, then place it in an airtight container. Thaw completely to room temperature before serving.
You can also refrigerate for up to a week. If you make the glaze, drizzle it on right before serving because otherwise the cake will absorb all of it and become too tender.
This vegan Apple Cake is going to be one I make again and again. Enjoy, all!
Ingredients for Vegan Apple Cake:
- Apples
- Whole wheat pastry flour (can sub with half whole wheat and half all purpose)
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Flaxmeal
- Ground cinnamon (can also use nutmeg and cloves)
- Walnuts
- Pure vanilla extract
For optional glaze/drizzle:
- Applesauce
- Confectioners' sugar
More vegan dessert recipes
Vegan Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole-wheat pastry flour (sub with half regular whole-wheat and half all-purpose if you can't find whole-wheat pastry flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon (I sometimes use a mix of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar (if you want to cut down on this, substitute a quarter of the sugar with an equal amount of applesauce)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon flaxmeal (whisked with 6 tablespoon of water to make two flax "eggs")
- 1 cup walnuts , toasted lightly and chopped
- 2 ½ cups apples (About 1 ½ apples, finely chopped. I use Pink Lady or Granny Smith, but most apples would work)
For optional applesauce vanilla drizzle:
- ½ cup applesauce
- ½ cup powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
- Beat together the oil, sugar and vanilla for about a minute to aerate.
- Add the flaxmeal mixture, beat for a few more seconds to mix, and then add the flour mixture.
- Stir with a spatula to get the ingredients well-mixed. The dough will be very stiff, but don't worry -- the apples will express juices as they bake. Add the apples and the walnuts and mix well.
- Pour the batter into an 8-inch oiled and floured square pan (or use a round cake pan if that's what you have). To make the cake easier to unmold, line the pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and then oil and flour. (The first time I baked this cake years ago, I didn't take that extra step and unmolding this cake from the pan was a small battle.)
- Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a rack for at least 10 minutes. Unmold and continue cooling.
Make the applesauce drizzle:
- Whisk together all of the glaze ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle over the cake just before serving. (Adding the drizzle in advance will cause it to seep into the cake, making it more moist -- it will be totally delicious, but will get too tender.)
Vinee
This cake was DELICIOUS!! I love everything about your blog. This was the first recipe I tried. It came out great! I can’t wait to try other recipes from here.
Could you please clarify the serving size & nutrition information. Thank You.
Vaishali
Hi Vinee, happy you enjoyed the cake. Nutrition info per slice is at the bottom of the recipe card. There are 16 slices in each cake.
Susan
Absolutely delicious! My daughter is allergic to eggs, so I am always on the lookout for egg-free desserts. This was fantastic — rich and moist and sweet and oh-so-apple-y!
Vaishali
So happy to hear, Susan!
Aruna Mani
Hi. I had many apples left behind and stumbled upon this. Followed it to the T. Couldn't be happier for the way it turned out. I didn't top ig with applesauce because, despite reducing the sugar quantity to 3/4 cup I felt it was sweet for my palate. The home was smelling divine with cinnamon flavor and taste is fabulous. Thank you soo much for such a great recipe.
Vaishali
So great to hear, Aruna. So happy you tried the apple cake!
Katie
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited to make this cake! I really want to make it in a bundt pan, though. Would I have to add baking time or double the recipe (to fill the pan)? Thank you!
Vaishali
Hi Katie, double the recipe for a bundt pan. And add 10 minutes to baking time--check with a toothpick in the center and if it comes out with wet batter sticking to it, bake for a bit longer until the toothpick comes out clean.
Claudia
I also substituted coconut oil instead of vegetable oil to make it healthier.
Sylvester
Coconut oil is mostly saturated fat so it increases your LDL cholesterol and is not healthy for your heart. Claims that coconut oil is healthy are incorrect.
Canola (rapeseed oil) on the other hand has a healthy balance of omega 3 and omega 6, which is good for your heart.
Claudia
I made this with buckwheat instead of flour to make it gluten free. I used half the sugar and half apple sauce instead of a quarter and used half a lemon juice to help activate the baking soda. It came out great!
Vaishali
Claudia, so happy to hear you loved the cake. Thanks for sharing this awesome glutenfree tip.
Susan
When I was mixing ingredients it seemed too dry and crimbky. Should I have added more oil?
Vaishali
You shouldn't add more than the 1/3rd cup in the recipe. Keep in mind that the apples will express moisture as well.
Divya
Thank u so much for sharing this recipe...im a beginner and have tried 3 more cakes before this but this one came out to be perfect. I have 2 questions : can sugar b replaced by jaggery powder? If yes, how much? Can we use whole wheat flour solely ?
Donna
Made this two nights ago and it was excellent. Tasted even better the next day.
Thanks for the recipe
Ashwini M Shetty
I had baked this last year for my sisters birthday and it turned out awesome!! One of the best cakes I have ever baked. Thank you and please keep posting some more of such healthy bakes?
Lola
Can almond flour be used instead of wheat flower
Anonymous
I used almond flour and it turned out quite well
Anonymous
Hi...can I substitute flax meal with any other ingredient ? what is it used for ?
jayj
Flax meal is used a substitute for egg. You can google egg substitutes for other options. I've seen chia seed and water used also.
Blue Voiced Sobriquet
I'm baking this tomorrow to distribute out to the homeless, as part of the volunteer group for the Hare Krishnas, who deploy surplus food and donations to those living on the street.
It'll be well appreciated ?
Maia
Great recipe. I have made this twice now. I used a silicone baking pan with spray oil. No problem demolding. I tried substituting 1/4 cup stevia for 1/4 cup sugar to good effect. I also used 1/2 cup applesauce to substitute for more sugar and the water in the flaxseed mixture. It was plenty sweet.
I used vegan ice cream to top it instead of glaze. Yum! I used a mild olive oil once and avocado oil another time. I don’t know what to think about canola oil, not sure I trust it.
Maia
Great recipe. I have made this twice now. I used a silicone baking pan with spray oil. No problem demolding. I tried substituting 1/4 cup stevia for 1/4 cup sugar to good effect. I also used 1/2 cup applesauce to substitute for more sugar and the water in the flaxseed mixture. It was plenty sweet.
I used vegan ice cream to top it instead of glaze. Yum! I used a mild olive oil once and avocado oil another time. I don’t know what to think about canola oil, not sure I trust it.
M
Can I use the batter to make mini muffins?
Vaishali
Yes, absolutely! You can also try this applesauce mini muffin recipe with apples: https://holycowvegan.net/cardamom-scented-applesauce-mini/
susan
Perfect time for apple cake. Can I substitute aqua faba for the flax?
Vaishali
Yes, use 6 tbsp and whisk it with the sugar and oil at the beginning!
Nimitha
This turned out great! Very flexible recipe. I used 1/3 cup brown sugar and 2 tbsp applesauce since our son likes cakes a little less sweet. Used Shimla apple we get in India. Also added 6 tbsp milk as I used whole-wheat flour. Rest all same as recipe. Cake was soft, moist and fluffy.
Sheerja
Hi Vaishali,
This is hands down THE BEST VEGAN APPLE CAKE I've tried so far. The recipe calls for easy to find ingredients and works really well.
Thank you!
Ashwini M Shetty
Hi, I baked this cake a couple of days back and it turned out so delicious. I used the regular whole wheat flour used for making chappatis and substituted the sugar with jaggery powder. It came out just perfect! The applesauce drizzle however was a bit thicker than I wanted , though it paired well with the cake. The entire cake was polished off in one go as many went for a second serving ?
Karen
My family loved the apple cake! Thank you!
My husband cannot have oil of any kind but applesauce is an excellent substitute. Substitute 1:1
Fiona
In place of flax meal could flaxseed be or porridge oats be used?
Ellen
Thank you for the recipe! Does it work to use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil?
Patricia
This is one of the best vegan cake recipes ever. I used 1/2 cup applesauce and a bit less than 1/2 cup maple syrup. It was plenty sweet. I also used gingerbread spice instead of the spices listed. It is a dark wonderful gingerbread taste with apples.
Christine
Thanks, Vaishali, for the lovely recipe. One of the most delicious cakes I ever had and so easy to prepare, too! It came out perfectly moist without being soggy, gooey or heavy.
Since the question ob substituting sugar was raised earlier: I used 3/4 cup of maple syrup instead of the 1 cup sugar and it turned out perfect and added a delicious maple taste.
Since I needed a gluten-free version, I substituted the whole-wheat flour with half buckwheat flour and half rice flour, which I find is the best way to replace whole-wheat flour in any cake recipe and still stay on the healthy side and avoid the refined stuff.
If one is not opposed using a flexible silicon baking form, i can recommend it for this cake, I just slightly oiled it and the cake tumbled out after baking without any problem.
Tina
Thanks for this great recipe Vaishali.
I just wanted to know at what point do you mix the powdered spices? ... since its not mentioned in the recipe
Vaishali
Tina, add it with the flour mixture. I've updated above.
Tina
Thank you Vaishali!
Your recipes are the best ones I have found on the Internet! I love your page.
Rebeca
Made this for my mom earlier today and my 20mth old wanted to try it.
Need to make more!
Yummy!!!!
beckyjahns
Forgot to say about the sugar..... I used 3/4 c. And 1/4c. Applesauce....PERFECT!
beckyjahns
This is the BEST apple cake I have EVER made, and I have made lots of them! I made it for my vegan daughter and her family last week. My 4 year old granddaughter wants it for her next birthday and my daughter asked for another one which I am now making for tomorrow. I used 1t. Vietnamese Cinnamon from Penzey's, 1t. Freshly grated Nutmeg, and 1/4t. Ground cloves. I also used parchment paper in a glass pie pan and sprayed it with organic canola oil. It came out PERFECT! Can't wait to try more of your recipes. I cook everything vegan and organic for her and am not missing eggs at all in baking!
Vaishali Honawar
Becky, that sounds delicious-- so glad you liked it. And thanks for the tips on substitutions. Great idea to cut down on the oil.
Jenn Weekes
Vaishali, this is an excellent recipe. I have taken it to work and is one of the most popular baked goods that I have made.
Kindly, Jenn
Gayatri
Hi Vaishali,
I made this cake last night for a few friends and it was absolutely wonderful! Everyone loved it! Thanks for the wonderful recipe and this fantastic site!
Gayatri
Vaishali Honawar
Hi, pureeing the apple with water would explain why your batter was more fluid.
chhaprahiya@yahoo.com
We are actually making this cake right now using 100% whole wheat flour from the grocery store. We used 2 Granny Smith apples -- puréed one with a little water, and finely chopped the other. Our batter turned out more fluid than the recipe specified. Will post how it turns out.
Rajani
Having apples, apple sauce at home and hubby giving me very similar hints on good fruits going waste - so this is a recipe that is a timely send to me!
Pastry flour same as 'atta' used for making chapati? Noticed baking powder and soda in the recipe too - so atta can be used instead of pastry flour?
Appreciate your help in this clarification!
Vaishali
Rajani, atta isn't quite the same as whole-wheat pastry flour although it is lighter than regular whole-wheat and can be used as a substitute. For the best texture I'd advise mixing the atta with some all-purpose flour--1 cup of atta and 1/2 cup of all-purpose should work very well.
Kanak Hagjer
This cake sounds lovely! I've made cakes where the apples were only on the top, more of a decoration than "apple" cake. I'd love to try this out.
jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur
This cake sounds so wonderful! I've been buying big bags of apples lately and I can't seem to finish them before at least one or two become mealy. This looks like a great way to use them up!
Kumudha
I made applesauce cake following your recipe, and it was great!
This apple cake also looks so YUM, and I will try sometime...
Thank you so much for inspiring people across the world to try vegan fare...
Gayathri Ramanan
Beautiful cake.looks delicious and perfect
Mel
It looks delicious and the recipe sounds great! I'm not much of a sweet tooth but I am rather fond of apples in baked goods.
Vaishali
Mel, me too!
Anonymous
Using cooked pumpkin instead of apple sauce might work well too, although it is less liquid. Lovely recipe!
Val
Vaishali
Val, great suggestion.
Pavani
For some reason apple is one fruit I'm not a big fan of. But this cake sounds amazing. I'll buy some apples to try this cake. Thanks for sharing this yummy cake!!
Vaishali
Pavani, I am not big on eating apples by themselves. But I do like it in baked goods because the texture's much softer.
divya
Wow that looks so delicious, luvly clicks.
Vaishali
Divya, thank you! Clicks credit goes to Desi, of course. 🙂
Renard Moreau
[ Smiles ] Whole Wheat Apple Cake is a nice vegan pastry to indulge in.
Vaishali
Thanks!
Dixya
I am loving everything about this recipe 🙂 🙂
Vaishali
Thanks!
Ashwini Deshpande
I love Applepie with dollop of good old vanilla ice cream. I know not healthy but so worth the guilt trip. I am bookmarking the recipe and will use applesauce as it makes all baked caked taste good. I started baking with applesauce to cut down the eggs but then found that it cuts sugar portions also.
Love Ash.
Vaishali
Ash, apple pie with ice cream is certainly a classic. 🙂 Hope you will like this cake. It would be great with some ice cream too!
Melina
This looks great! I've been a vegetarian many years now, but not a 'good' one. I've been trying to eat healthy for months now and was so excited to find your site! I've already tried a couple of recipes, I'll leave comments on those. I just read today a post on the 20 foods we should avoid, and canola oil is in that list. I would have never thought! Just telling you in case you want to look into it. I'll try posting a link but I don't know if that's acceptable here:
Vaishali
Hi Melina, welcome, and happy you've liked the recipes you tried. Thanks for the canola oil information. I hadn't heard about the health concerns over canola although they seem to be all over the web, and this was very informative. But I also found a number of credible sources that say the fears are unfounded. I have been moving more toward olive and coconut oil-- both of which I already used a lot of in my cooking-- and I guess I will do even more so in the future. Refined coconut oil particularly is a good substitute for canola because it doesn't have the strong coconut flavor which I love in Indian food but might not be great in cakes.
Melina
I'm glad to hear it- I had just read one article before I saw it in your ingredients but hadn't looked further, just thought I'd let you know to make your own decisions. I'll read up more too! I too have been trying coconut oil. I am already using olive oil wherever I can (I live in Greece so it would be a shame not to!). It works well in cakes also, if the cake can handle the flavor. I will try this recipe too! thank you!
Usha
The cake looks so inviting and delicious !!
Vaishali
Thanks, Usha!
Nivedhanams Sowmya
such a moist and delicious cake!!! can we use maple syrup instead of sugar... if yes, then how much can I add? please guide.
Vaishali
Hi Sowmya, yes, you can definitely use maple syrup. I'd just substitute cup for cup, although since maple has a richer taste, you should try substituting the 1 cup of sugar for 3/4 cup maple syrup and 1/4 cup applesauce.
renee
substituted maple syrup for the sugar and it is definitely sweet! next time, I will use 3/4 +1/4 apple sauce or banana. I used regular 100% whole grain whole wheat flour.
renee
Forgot to mention that it is the best whole wheat cake recipe that I've tried so far. 2 granny apples barely made the 2+1/2c so I topped off the apple with some fresh blueberries & raspberries to make the full measurement. AWESOME! Thanks for sharing your recipe!!!
Vaishali Honawar
Hi Renee, a mix of berries and apples sounds delicious! So glad you tried the recipe, and love it. Thanks! 🙂