Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe
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.
- 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
Scale
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fold in Apples: Carefully fold the very thinly sliced apples into the cake batter for even distribution without breaking the slices.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading evenly for uniform baking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
