Published:
Mar 21st 2022
by 
Last updated: Jul 5th 2025
Moist, fluffy, and warmly spiced, this Vegan Apple Cake is everything you love about fall desserts—without the dairy or eggs. Packed with fresh-grated apples, cinnamon, and allspice, this easy one-bowl cake is topped with thinly sliced apples for a naturally beautiful finish. It’s perfect with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or served warm with tea or coffee.
Pro Tip - It’s 100% vegan—no dairy, no eggs, just flavor and texture.
- Grated apples keep the crumb moist and tender.
- It’s easy to prepare and makes a stunning, crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Use Honeycrisp or Gala apples for natural sweetness and texture.
- Line the springform pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy release.
- Slice the apples thinly and evenly for a beautiful, bakery-style topping.
- Serve warm with vegan vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a pretty finish.
- Enjoy as a brunch cake, holiday dessert, or afternoon snack.
- Flour: Use whole wheat pastry flour for extra fiber.
- Milk: Any unsweetened plant-based milk will work.
- Sweetener: Swap white sugar for coconut sugar or maple syrup.
- Texture: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
- Short-Term: Store covered at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.
- Freeze: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 1 month.
- All-Purpose Flour – Base for the structure of the cake.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the cake and helps with browning.
- Baking Powder – Gives the cake lift and fluffiness.
- Cinnamon, Allspice, Nutmeg – Warm spices that pair beautifully with apples.
- Sea Salt – Enhances overall flavor.
- Almond Milk + Lemon Juice – Creates a tangy dairy-free “buttermilk.”
- Coconut Oil (melted) – Adds moisture and richness.
- Grated Apple (for batter) – Infuses the cake with moisture and apple flavor.
- Thinly Sliced Apples (for topping) – Creates a decorative and delicious layer.
Can I use applesauce instead of grated apples?
Grated apples work best for texture, but you can sub in ½ cup unsweetened applesauce if needed.
Is this recipe oil-free?
No, but you can try replacing coconut oil with applesauce for a lower-fat option (results may vary).
What type of apple is best for baking?
Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji are great—avoid Red Delicious as it gets mushy.
How to Make Vegan Apple Cake
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray and line the base with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt.
Add almond milk, melted coconut oil, and lemon juice to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the grated apple to add moisture and subtle sweetness.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out. Arrange thinly sliced apples on top in a fan pattern. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a wire rack. Flip it again so the apple topping faces up, and let it cool completely before serving.
Time & Serves
Ingredients
2 1/3 cups All-Purpose Flour
2/3 cups Granulated Sugar
3 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon Allspice
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
1 cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup melted Coconut Oil
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
1 medium Honey Crisp Apple, grated
3 medium Honey Crisp Apples, peeled, cored, sliced thinly
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 °F.
Spray a 9-inch springform cake pan with nonstick baking spray, then line it with baking paper.
Whisk all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and sea salt in a large bowl.
Add the almond milk, coconut oil, and lemon juice and stir just until combined.
Fold in grated apples.
Pour apple cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer with a spatula.
Place sliced apples on top of the apple cake batter in the shape of a fan.
Bake the apple cake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Let the vegan apple cake rest in the pan for 5 minutes, carefully invert onto a wire rack. Place a plate on top of the apple cake and turn it over, so the apple topping is facing you. Let the apple cake cool completely before serving.
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