Vegan Apple Cake with Streusel Topping

This simple and delicious vegan apple cake with streusel toppings moist,easyto make, dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free. A perfect sweet treat that fills the house with the smell of cinnamon!

Moist & Satisfying Vegan Apple Cake

The weather is beginning to get chillier here and the leaves are turning into oranges, reds, and yellows.This delicious vegan apple cake makes the perfect treat, snack, or even addition to breakfast or brunch.

When it comes to apple cake you can find at the store, there’s often just a lot of super sugary options, and almost never a vegan alternative. I’m a sucker for desserts with a streusel topping so I’ve found the best option is to make my own at home!

 

Are Apple Cakes Vegan?

Traditionally no. Most apple cakes are made like a classic cake with all-purpose flour, butter, eggs, and often buttermilk. Because they contain dairy, cow-based products along with eggs, they are not vegan. Unless, you make a vegan-specific apple cake using vegan alternatives like non-dairy milk, oil, and flax eggs or egg replacer.

While I am not a vegan, I do have a dairy allergy so often my desserts are naturally vegan as I only consume non-dairy milk, vegan butter, and other dairy-free alternative products. While I do miss a traditional dessert here and there, I promise you the vegan alternatives are almost always just as delicious!

Ingredients in Vegan Apple Cake

To make this tasty vegan apple cake you will only need 10 main ingredients (not including the optional streusel topping) that are all gluten free, dairy free, and vegan. This healthier cake is also made with unrefined sugar for natural sweetness that won’t spike blood sugar levels!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour (If you don’t need your apple cake gluten free, use regular all-purpose flour, or whole wheat flour instead!)
• Apples (I used honey crisp) Any baking apples are the best apples to use.
• Maple syrup
• Ground flaxeed
• Coconut palm sugar (brown sugar works too)
• Olive oil
• Almond milk, unsweetened (any plant milk is fine)
• Apple cider vinegar
• Baking soda & baking powder
• Cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Pure vanilla extract
• Chopped walnuts (optional)

These whole-food-focused ingredients keep this cake healthy, with lots of fibre, vitamins and minerals, and healthy fats. If you are looking for a healthier apple cake option for little ones, this is a great recipe to try as well as it is free of the main allergens (dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, and can be nut free too).

Easy Streusel Topping

To make the optional streusel topping (highly recommended) you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour (If you don’t need GF, use regular all-purpose flour, or whole wheat flour instead!)
• Coconut palm sugar
• Cinnamon
• Vegan butter
• Chopped walnuts (optional)

Apple Streusel Pie

You can use this easy streusel topping over a delicious apple pie filling and crust to make your own Apple Streusel Pie. This could also be a great idea if you find yourself with leftover streusel.

Streusel vs Strudel

While the two sound the same they are actually quite different. For example, streusel is the sugary crumbly topping used on this cake (or on pies, muffins, etc.) whereas a strudel is an actual dessert made of layers of flaky pastry dough and stuffed with an apple filling.

Is Apple Strudel German or Austrian?

While the dessert is often seen as being of German descent it actually originated in Austria in or around the later 1600s.

Should Apple Cake Be Refrigerated?

This cake can be kept well covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5. Make sure to keep it well covered so that it doesn’t dry out or spoil.

How To Make Apple Cake Vegan (without eggs, milk, and butter)

How to make apple pie cake that is still soft, tender, and moist, you can use plant-based alternative ingredients to create the same or similar texture.

• Egg replacement– Swap egg for a flax egg. Combining ground flax seed and water (1 tablespoon flax:3 tablespoons water) and letting it sit until it thickens will create a “flax egg” suitable for substituting one whole egg in an apple cake recipe.
• Instead of cow buttermilk, you can substitute the same amount of plant-based milk like almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or oat milk and stir in 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar.
• Instead of butter, you can use an equal amount of vegan butter (like Earth Balance brand) or coconut oil.

How To Make Vegan Apple Cake Step-by-Step

To make these simple cake you really need just a few bowls, parchment paper, and a cake tin. Oh, and an oven of course!

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and line the bottom of a round baking tin with parchment.

2. Core, peel, and cut the apples into 1cm cubes then drizzle with the maple syrup and set aside.

3. Make the “flax egg” by combining the flax and water in a bowl and set aside to thicken.

4. In another bowl combine the coconut sugar with the oil, almond milk, and vinegar and stir well.

5. Sift in the flour and other dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl then pour in the coconut sugar mixture and the thickened flax egg and stir until a thick batter is achieved.

6. Fold the chopped apples and the chopped walnuts (if using) into the cake batter then spread evenly in the prepared pan.

7. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and cover with tin foil and bake for another 15 minutes.

8. While the vegan cake is baking combine the streusel ingredients in a bowl and using a pastry cutter or a knife, mix until crumbly.

9. Once the cake is done, let cool slightly then remove from the pan and sprinkle evenly with the streusel topping on top of the cake. Cut into 6-8 slices and serve warm slice of vegan apple with your favorite vegan ice cream to top (or vegan whipped cream). It’s absolutely delicious.

Let cool completely before storing any leftovers.

I love getting my 4-year-old daughter involved in the kitchen and baking is a great way to do that. This is a fun recipe and it’s perfect for little helpers. Plus they love to gobble it up at the end too!

 

Store leftover cake in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature. It’s also freezer friendly for up to 3 months.

This is a wonderful recipe for fall or a simple afternoon tea.

 

Thank you so much for reading. Have you ever tried apple cake? Tell me about it in the comments and be sure to pin the photo below the recipe to save this one for later.

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