This healthy apple cake could also be called APPLE HEAVEN, seriously! With the great balance between soft and moist inside, apple and cinnamon taste, it’s the perfect fall treat if you crave something warm, healthy, and just sweet enough! It tastes best when still warm, and to be honest, it is so good, there won’t be much left to cool down…not joking.
Why the obsession with this healthy apple cake
Gluten-free This apple cake is made of almond flour and gluten-free oat flour, a great combination if you are gluten intolerant, or want to incorporate healthy fats and more fiber in your diet.
Reduced sugar content To make this cake even healthier, it utilizes erythritol as a sweetener. Erythritol is a great option if you prefer low(er) carb desserts and/or want to prevent blood sugar spikes.
Oil-free Apple sauce is everything that makes this cake moist and soft, no oil or butter is needed.
TIP To get more fiber in this apple cake, you can make it with unpeeled apples. It won't change the taste of the cake, only difference will be the apple skin won't be that soft as the rest of the apple meat after baked, but still soft enough to be easily chewed.
Ingredients and substitutions
Almond flour The most used flour in low-carb baking. Goes nicely with apples.
Oat flour To balance the fatty almond flour I like to use oat flour (blended oats) as a healthy wholesome flour substitution. Use gluten-free certified if gluten intolerant.
Erythritol Low-carb, zero-calorie sweetener. I used granulated erythritol to balance the natural sweetness of apples and not add any more sugar to this cake. May be substituted with granulated xylitol.
Spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg) Warm, sweet, and spicy cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg are essential spices of all fall cakes made with apples.
Apples Raw. I don’t use any specific kind of apples in this recipe. Try it with your favorite kind of apples or the ones you have at hand, maybe in your garden.
Apple sauce Natural without added sugar. Store-bought will work fine. Plays an important moisturizing role, as this recipe does not call for any kind of oil or butter.
Eggs Two large eggs.
Vanilla extract Adds a nice warm sweet touch.
Salt A pinch of salt enhances the sweet taste.
How does this healthy apple cake taste
If fall has a taste, this would be IT! Soft and moist on the inside with the perfect thin crust on the outside. Sweet, warm, and rich spicy flavourful taste.
Healthy Apple Cake (gluten-free)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredience
- 1 cup (112g) almond flour
- 1 1/4 cup (125g) gluten-free oat flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) erythritol
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2/3 cup + 2 tbsp (200g) apple sauce
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Add Ins
- 2-2 1/4 cups (250-280g) apples, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Toppings (optional)
- 1-2 tbsp (10-20g) powdered erythritol
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F degrees. Line the 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk all dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl mix together wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with spatula until completely combined.
- Stir in freshly cut apple.
- Transfer the batter to the baking pan. Use spatula to spread the batter evenly in the pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow the cake to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving. Serve warm dusted with powdered erythritol or a scoop of ice cream.