Description
This 1 Bowl Vegan Apple Cake is a moist, flavorful, and easy-to-make dessert that combines fresh diced apples, warming cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts into a single batter. Enhanced with a rich vegan caramel drizzle, this cake is perfect for cozy fall gatherings or anytime you want a comforting treat without eggs or dairy. Its simple preparation and use of wholesome ingredients make it an ideal choice for vegans and anyone seeking a delicious, plant-based dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup canola oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups peeled and diced apples
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Optional Caramel Drizzle
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the canola oil or melted coconut oil, unsweetened applesauce, and pure vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until combined; the batter will be stiff since the moisture will come largely from the fresh apples during baking.
- Incorporate Apples and Nuts: Fold in the peeled and diced apples along with the chopped walnuts carefully. Use your hands if needed to ensure even distribution throughout the batter.
- Transfer and Bake: Press the thick batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the cake turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Caramel Drizzle: While the cake bakes, prepare the optional caramel sauce. In a small pot over medium heat, combine vegan butter, brown sugar, and non-dairy milk. Stir until the butter melts, then bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent overflow. Boil for 2 minutes, continue stirring, then remove from heat.
- Cool and Drizzle: Allow the cake to cool for about 20 minutes after baking. Drizzle the warm caramel sauce evenly over the cake. Let it cool an additional 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can use canola oil or melted coconut oil; alternatively, any neutral-flavored oil like avocado oil works well.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Both walnuts and pecans are suitable nut choices; alternatively, omit nuts if preferred.
- For an extra indulgent experience, serve the cake with vegan whipped cream or vanilla non-dairy ice cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/16 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg