Woman in Real Life

This vegan apple cinnamon cake recipe (no eggs, no dairy) is so easy to make, but looks impressive and tastes delicious! You'll fool your guests into thinking you crafted a complicated dessert. 

A cake that helps you get your seven servings of fruit and vegetables a day? Yes indeed! This recipe for vegan apple cinnamon cake combines two of my favourite foods - cake and fruit - in a very good way. Take a homemade vanilla cake base and swirl in a delicious mix of spicy cinnamon and sweet sugar. Top it with firm, sweet Organic Washington apple slices and bake. 

The result is an incredibly tasty, moist cake that's perfect for afternoon tea or evening dessert. May I suggest having a slice of this easy vegan apple cinnamon cake for breakfast as well? An apple a day and all that.

Organic Washington Apples

For this scrumptious little apple cake, I used Organic Washington Granny Smith apples. Washington State is one of the premier apple-growing areas in the world and the growing conditions make it an ideal region to grow organic apples.

*This post is sponsored by Organic Washington apples. All opinions are authentic and my own. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life.*

Vegan Apple Cinnamon Cake Ingredients

There is nothing complicated about the ingredients or the procedure for making this apple cinnamon cake recipe. The key to making this delicious eggless apple cake is swirling in the cinnamon/sugar mixture and then placing the apple slices artfully along the top. (Don't worry, it's easy to do!) But I'm getting ahead of myself.

First, assemble your ingredients:

• coconut sugar (brown sugar is fine too)
• cinnamon
• organic cane sugar (or alternate sugar of your choice)
• vegan (dairy-free) margarine
• ground flax (combine with water to make flax "eggs")
• vanilla extract
• all-purpose flour (light spelt flour, a gluten free flour blend or whole wheat flour will work too)
• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt
• unflavoured non-dairy milk (such as almond, oat, soy) 
• vinegar (you'll combine it with the milk to make dairy-free "buttermilk")
• 2 Organic Washington apples (such as Granny Smith)

Too Much Cinnamon Topping? Nah

It will seem like you are dumping a lot of cinnamon and sugar mix over the top of this apple cake, but go ahead and do it. It will bake up into a delicious, rich cinnamon-y topping, like the centre of a decadent cinnamon roll. Cinnamon and apple is a classic combination that can't fail. 

Dress This Easy Vegan Apple Cinnamon Cake

After the apple cinnamon cake cools, slice it into squares and serve topped with coconut whipped cream or vegan (dairy-free) ice cream. Or just eat it out of the pan. That's what happens around here. Your friends will be amazed that this cake requires no eggs and no dairy. In fact, this vegan apple cake is moist, fluffy and delicious with no eggs needed. It's ideal for vegans and those with egg or dairy sensitivities and allergies. 

Organic Washington Apples

Washington State grows more than 90% of U.S. certified organic apples. The nutrient-rich soil, arid climate, plentiful water and advanced growing practices provide the right ingredients for producing top-quality fruit. Organic Washington apples are available in every key variety and each apple is picked by hand.

One medium apple (180g) has just 72 calories and 19 carbohydrates, and is a source of fibre and Vitamin C. Canada’s Food Guide recommends 7 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, and a medium apple is a single fruit serving. 

For a quick, healthy snack, we like to slice up apples and dip the slices in almond butter. I also give apple slices to my dog for a non-fatty snack that's good for him.

How to Keep Sliced Apples from Browning

Apples naturally turn brown (oxidize) after they are sliced. They are still safe to eat, but don’t look and taste their freshest. Prevent or slow oxidation by dipping sliced apples into a solution of one part citrus juice and three parts water.

How to Wash Apples

Apples should be washed under cool running tap water. Scrub vigorously with your clean hands, paying special attention to the top near the stem and the bottom near the calyx. Washington apple growers do not recommend washing apples with soap or detergents.  

Questions for you

When is a good time for cake? (I know, that's an easy question. It's always a good time for cake!) What is your favourite sweet dessert made with apples? 

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Easy Vegan Apple Cinnamon Cake Recipe

(1 small cake, 6 to 8 servings)

Ingredients

1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3/4 cup organic cane sugar
1/4 cup vegan margarine
2 tablespoons ground flax mixed with 5 tablespoons water (set aside to gel for 5 minutes or more)
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unflavoured non-dairy milk (such as almond, oat) mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar
2 Organic Washington apples (such as Granny Smith)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line an 8” x 8” baking dish with parchment paper or spray lightly with baking spray.

In a small bowl, mix together coconut sugar and cinnamon and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together cane sugar, margarine, flax “eggs” and vanilla with an electric mixer for about a minute. You can also whip the mixture together with a fork.

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk/vinegar mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir until combined.

Pour batter into the prepared dish. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of the cinnamon/sugar mixture over the top. With a knife, swirl the cinnamon/sugar mixture into the batter slightly.

Slice apples thinly and insert apple slices into the top of the batter, skin side up, pressing down slightly. (Arrange the slices as you like. I alternated rows of two and three slices along the width of the cake.)

Sprinkle remaining cinnamon/sugar mixture on top.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out dry.