Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake is a moist, fragrant dessert perfect for any occasion. Packed with fresh apples and warm cinnamon, it’s naturally sweetened and easy to make for those avoiding gluten.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk (almond milk recommended, at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil (or melted butter)
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 apple (cored and very thinly sliced)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter or melted coconut oil (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and line a 9×9-inch cake pan, either round or square.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Step 3: Add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
4. Step 4: Fold the thinly sliced apples into the batter evenly, then pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter (or coconut oil) for the cinnamon sugar topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter in the pan.
6. Step 6: Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven, allow to cool in the pan briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Step 7: Just before serving, optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with powdered sugar icing for extra sweetness.

Tips & Variations

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor that complements the cinnamon.
• To make it dairy-free, use coconut oil and almond milk as suggested.
• For a more moist cake, try adding 1/4 cup of plain yogurt or sour cream if you are not dairy-free.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices gently in the microwave for a few seconds before serving to enjoy a warm treat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free flour?

Yes, you can substitute with regular all-purpose flour if you don’t need the cake to be gluten-free. The texture will remain similar and still delicious.

How thin should the apple slices be?

The apple slices should be very thin, about 1/8 inch thick or less, to ensure they cook through while baking and distribute well throughout the batter.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 149 reviews

This Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for any occasion. Made with a combination of gluten-free all-purpose flour and almond flour, it features tender apple slices folded into a cinnamon-spiced batter. Topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar blend and baked to perfection, this cake is deliciously dairy-free if you opt for coconut oil and almond milk, making it a versatile treat for various dietary needs.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 servings (1 square inch per serving approx.) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk (almond milk preferred, at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil (or melted butter)
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Additional Ingredients

• 1 apple, cored and very thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (or melted coconut oil)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (175° Celsius). Lightly grease or line a 9×9-inch cake pan—either round or square—to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, maple syrup, unsweetened apple sauce, melted coconut oil or butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon to the wet mixture. Gently fold and mix until just incorporated to avoid overmixing.
4. Fold in Apples: Carefully fold the very thinly sliced apples into the cake batter for even distribution without breaking the slices.
5. Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading evenly for uniform baking.
6. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter or coconut oil until combined. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the cake batter in the pan.
7. Bake the Cake: Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is cooked through.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Just before serving, optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a powdered sugar icing for added sweetness and presentation.

Notes

• For best texture, use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum or add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t contain it.
• Thinly slicing apples helps them cook evenly and blend well within the cake.
• To keep it dairy-free, use coconut oil and almond milk as suggested.
• Powdered sugar icing can be made by mixing powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or water until smooth.
• Ensure eggs and milk are at room temperature to help the batter combine better and result in a lighter cake.

Keywords: gluten-free apple cake, cinnamon sugar cake, gluten-free dessert, dairy-free apple cake, almond flour cake, healthy apple cake