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The one thing that sets this vegan spiced apple cake apart from the others? It’s made with an 8-minute apple puree, this puree is also the secret to the super moist texture. This cake is perfect for fall as it’s flavoured with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. The cake is topped with vanilla coffee frosting, making it indulgent and the perfect treat to have alongside coffee or a tall glass of plant milk!
Why you’ll love this vegan spiced apple cake…
easy – this cake recipe can be made by bakers of any skill level.
perfect for fall – this cake is packed with all of our favourite fall spices!
delicious- this cake is soft, fluffy, perfectly spiced and SO GOOD. Even without any frosting, this cake is a crowd-pleaser!
What you’ll need to make this delicious spiced apple cake…
- apples
- self-raising flour
- rolled oats
- light brown sugar
- vegan salted butter
- vanilla extract
- oat milk
- apple cider vinegar
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- ground ginger
- salt
5 Ingredient’s you’ll need for the Vanilla Coffee Frosting..
- vegan salted butter
- vegan cream cheese
- icing sugar
- instant coffee + water
- vanilla extract
- salt
Making homemade apple puree…
Let’s start with the simple homemade apple puree!
Cut the apples into small cubes, they don’t have to be accurate as they well are blended during the last step.
Into a saucepan, add the chopped apples, brown sugar and a little vegan butter. Cook on low for 8-10 minutes or until the apples are easily breakable with a spatula/spoon.
Once done, allow the apples to cool slightly, then transfer into a blender. Blend until smooth – don’t worry if you have a few small chunks!
That’s it! Set aside until needed.
The Spiced Cake Batter…
Start with making vegan buttermilk, by simply combining oat milk with apple cider vinegar. Set aside for 5-10 minutes.
Next, whisk self-raising flour, rolled oats, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger and salt together.
The vegan buttermilk should be ready by now. Add the homemade apple puree and melted vegan butter to it and mix.
Pour the wet over the dry, fold together until just combined – try not to over mix!
Transfer the spiced cake batter into a cake tin, and bake for 40-50 minutes!
All about the Vanilla Coffee Frosting…
To make this fluffy frosting, combine softened butter with cream cheese frosting. Once that’s done, add in the vanilla extract and coffee mixture. Give it a quick mix, then add in the icing sugar a little at a time.
Beat with a handheld whisk or with a wooden spoon until smooth. If you’re using a wooden spoon, I’d say sieve the icing sugar, this will make everything easier for you and your arm!
Once the cake has cooled completely, dollop the frosting over the cake, and with the back of a spoon create swirls.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the apple flavour distinct? Not really, as the spices are more noticeable. If you want a stronger apple flavour, just thinly slice up an apple and top it over the cake batter before baking!
What if I have unsalted vegan butter? You can use it in this recipe, just add a little more salt to the batter!
Do I have to serve with frosting? No! This cake is still delicious without any toppings!
How do I store the cake? In an air-tight container, and in the fridge for 2-3 days!
More vegan recipes you’ll love…
- cinnamon roll twist bread
- s’mores cookies
- self saucing mocha hazelnut pudding
- triple almond cinnamon rolls
Ingredients
Apple Puree
- 1 tsp salted vegan butter
- 1 1/2 cups diced apples (around 1 1/2 apples)
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
Cake Batter
- 300 g self raising flour
- 48 g rolled oats
- 200 g light brown sugar
- 90 g vegan salted butter (melted)
- 240 ml oat milk
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground giner
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking soda
Vanilla Coffee Frosting
- 57 g vegan salted butter
- 90 g vegan cream cheese
- 2 1/2 – 3 cups icing sugar
- 1/2 – 1 tbsp instant coffee + 1/2 tbsp hot water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Apple Puree
- Add all the ingredients into a saucepan, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until apples are soft and easily breakable. Allow to cool slightly, then transfer into a food processor and blend until smooth – it's ok if there are a few small chunks.
Spiced Apple Cake
- Pre-heat oven to 180°C/356°F. Line a 9×9 inch square baking dish/cake tin with parchment paper, with an overhang.
- Make vegan buttermilk by combining oat milk and apple cider vinegar together, set aside for 5-10 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, salt, baking soda.
- Add light brown sugar, apple puree, melted vegan butter into the buttermilk. Mix together, then pour into the dry. Fold together until well-combined. Pour into the lined square baking dish/cake pan. Tap on the counter to release any air bubbles, then bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
- Remove from the oven, allow the cake to cool for 15-30 minutes, then transfer the cake on a wired rack to cool completely.
Vanilla Coffee Frosting
- Beat softened vegan butter with vegan cream cheese. Then add in the vanilla extract and coffee mixture. Slowly add in the icing sugar until light, fluffy and holds its shape.
- Once the cake has cooled, dollop the frosting over the cake and create swirls using the back of a spoon. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 480
