Apple Cake

Name: Apple Cake (Healthy Recipe)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 14oz / 400g red apples such as fuji or gala - approx 2 medium apples; 2 large eggs; ⅓ cup melted coconut oil; ⅓ cup honey; ¼ cup milk - I’ve used soy milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups rolled oats or oat flour; 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder; 2 teaspoons baking powder; Pinch of salt; ¼ cup walnuts - finely chopped; Small handful of rolled oats; Dusting of icing sugar - optional

JUMP TO RECIPE

This Apple Cake is so delicious and moist you wont believe its healthy! It's cozy, smells and tastes like Fall using up the tasty apples in season. It's also made with wholesome ingredients and healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast or a warm dessert.

This Apple Cake literally smells and tastes like the cozy fall season in every bite! If you’ve been here a while, you'll know I'm not a huge cake person in general but I must admit this apple cake has a new snug spot in my heart…and taste buds. I've always loved apple pie and this is basically a healthy cake version of that. It’s light, cozy, and nutritious enough to eat for breakfast, yep brekkie!

I always love putting healthy spins on classic favorites, so here I've used wholesome ingredients without compromising on the taste. This includes using rolled oats to make oat flour, honey as a natural sweetener, so no sugar or butter - similar to my chocolate banana bread and blueberry loaf cake. Thanks to the beautiful crisp apples, the cake is moist, sweet and absolutely delicious!

Table of Contents

Recipe Highlights
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to make Apple Cake
Tips and Tricks
Storage Instructions
Serving Suggestions
FAQs
More Fall Recipes
More Healthy Cakes
Recipe
Comments

Recipe Highlights

Quick & Easy: Made with pantry staples and one bowl, no electric mixer needed
Nutritious & Healthy: Using wholesome ingredients, including oats, honey, and fresh apples for a naturally sweet and healthy cake
Versatile: Delicious for brunch, an afternoon treat, or a cozy fall dessert

Ingredients and Substitutions

Red apples are lovely and crisp at their prime through Autumn / Fall. You can use your favorite, whether it's gala apples, honey crisp, granny smith apples or pink lady
Eggs bind the batter together and give the cake structure and a rich flavor
Coconut oil is my preferred oil rather than adding melted butter. It adds moisture and a light flavor but you can of course use butter or vegetable oil
Honey naturally sweetens the apple cake and is always my preference as I'm not a huge fan of added sugar. You can substitute light brown sugar if you like but I haven't tested this method for its taste or texture
Milk helps create a smooth runny batter, I always prefer dairy free milk and have used soy milk in this recipe. Regular milk or also almond milk would work too
Vanilla extract adds warm flavoring and lovely aroma
Rolled oats are blended to create oat flour, giving the cake a healthy base of whole grains. Opt for gluten free oats if needed. All purpose flour is typically used and can be substituted, but I haven't tested if the quantity should be the same for this recipe
Cinnamon powder adds a cozy, warm flavor to pair with apples. It does however add a slightly brown color to the cake. Other warm spices like nutmeg or ginger are other options but they can over power the taste
Baking powder helps the cake rise into a soft, fluffy texture, you can also add a mix of baking soda
Garnish, I love adding chopped nuts especially walnuts and a sprinkle of rolled oats for crunch before baking, then serve with a dust of confectioners’ sugar before serving

How to make Apple Cake

Nothing better than a delicious apple cake when apples are in season. This recipe uses wholesome ingredients and comes together in one bowl for an easy bake. Follow my simple steps below (note quantities are listed in the recipe card below)

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel and cut the apples into small cubes

Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs then add coconut oil, honey, milk and vanilla. Whisk to combine

Step 3: Blend rolled oats into a fine flour, shaking the blender halfway through to ensure even texture

Oat flour and cinnamon added to wet ingredients

Step 4: Add cinnamon, oat flour and a pinch of salt. Whisk lightly until no dry flour remains

Apples and baking powder added to the mixing bowl

Step 5: Add baking powder and chopped apples, then gently fold with a spatula until combined

Step 6: Pour the batter into a round cake tin lined with parchment paper (8 inches / 20cm in diameter). Smooth the top and tap on the table lightly a couple of times

Chopped walnuts and oats added on top of batter

Step 7: Sprinkle rolled oats and chopped walnuts on top and bake for 40–45 minutes - check its cooked with a toothpick inserted in the center and it comes out clean

Cake straight out of the oven and resting in the cake tin

Step 8: Rest in the tin for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for 20 minutes before slicing. Dust with icing sugar, slice, and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

Chop apples into small cubes approximately the same size for even cooking
Whisk the wet ingredients in the bowl first before adding the dry for even mixing
Don't over mix the raw batter, once its combined transfer to the prepared pan
Always test with a toothpick as all ovens have different strengths. Insert in the center of the cake - it should come out clean and not wet
Double rest the cake before slicing - once in the tin for 15 mins and the second rest on a cooling rack for at least 20 minutes to ensure the middle has set

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days
Reheat slices in the oven or microwave before serving to warm them up
Freeze individual slices in air tight bags separated with parchment paper. Thaw slices when ready to eat at room temperature and reheat as above

Piece of apple cake coming out and away from the cake

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this fresh apple cake served warm with your morning cup of coffee, afternoon tea as a little treat, or serve as a delicious cozy dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream...yum! I love doing this especially when the cake is nice and warm so it melts the ice cream. Name me a better combo!

To serve this cake as part of a meal, it pairs beautifully after cozy mains such as my creamy mushroom pea risotto, fall-inspired barley soup or spinach ricotta lasagna. It would also be great for brunch alongside zucchini corn fritters or brioche french toast.

FAQs

What kind of apples to use in apple cake?

Feel free to use your favorite apples or even a combination of two for a mix of sweet and tart apples including honey crisp apples, pink lady, or granny smith to name a few

Whats the difference between apple pie and apple cake?

An apple pie generally consists of a warm saucy apple sauce wrapped and baked in pastry whereas an apple cake consists of chopped or sliced apples within a soft moist cake

Why is my apple cake soggy?

This apple cake should be moist, but not soggy. If soggy, it could be because it was undercooked so ensure to test the middle with a tooth pick, it should come out clean. It could also be due to not resting for the recommended time which helps sets the center