Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe that's Moist, Delicious and Dairy Free

If you’re looking for a healthified treat, move on. But, if you’re seeking a sweet, decadent cake layered with tender cinnamon apples, then stop your journey. You have arrived. This perfectly imperfect cake transitions from light and fluffy to moist and dense in the middle for a delicious experience. It’s fancy enough for gatherings, but has a taste, texture, and unapologetically messy vibe that shouts homemade.

Cinnamon Apple Cake is Fluffy, Moist, and Amazing all in One

This cake has a fairly simple, naturally dairy free, totally butterless recipe, but I do have answers to a few FAQs for this type of cake.

To Grease or Not to Grease? When using a springform pan, it’s best not to grease the sides. This allows the cake to “crawl” up the sides without sliding back down. When you release the nonstick springform, the cake should easily separate from the sides. But you can grease the bottom, or better yet, cut a parchment paper circle to fit the bottom.
Can I Use the Apples I Have on Hand? Google them first! Make sure it’s a baking or pie friendly apple. Many types of apples can turn mushy when baked. And I don’t think you want an applesauce cake. Honeycrisps are the recommended apples, for taste and texture, but many other types hold up well.
Can I Bake this Citrus Free? Yes! The orange juice adds a little zest to the taste, but it isn’t completely needed. You can substitute milk beverage or even water, in a pinch.

For other free-from cinnamon apple cake tips, see the Special Diet Notes below.

Special Diet Notes: Cinnamon Apple Cake

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, and vegetarian. We haven’t tested this recipe without gluten, but it might work well with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. I’ve heard King Arthur works very well.

For an egg-free and vegan apple cake, I recommend making Hannah’s Vegan Rosh Hashanah Cake. It is delicious with the apple filling in the recipe below, and can be baked in a round springform pan.

Dairy-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

50 mins

Total time

1 hour 10 mins

Sweet Honeycrisp apples are made for baking. But if you can't find any, feel free to use another type of sturdy apple, like golden delicious or gala.

Author: Culinary.net

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Serves: 16 servings

Ingredients

3 cups Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored and diced
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 cups + 6 tablespoons sugar, divided
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten
¼ cup orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dairy-free icing (optional; see below)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, stir together the apples, cinnamon, and 5 tablespoons sugar until the apples are evenly coated.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, 2 cups sugar, baking powder, and salt until combined. Form a well in the middle of the dry mix. Add the oil, eggs, orange juice, and vanilla and whisk until combined.
Pour half of the batter into a springform pan. Add the apple mixture evenly atop the batter. Pour the remaining batter over the apple mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar evenly over batter.
Bake the cake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and tester inserted into the cake comes out clean and dry.
Allow the cake to cool completely before releasing the pan.
Serve drizzled with icing, if desired.

Notes

Dairy-Free Icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon dairy-free milk beverage or water, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of additional milk beverage or water to make a drizzly icing.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 slice Calories: 357 Fat: 15g Saturated fat: 2.1g Carbohydrates: 54.1g Sugar: 34g Sodium: 164mg Fiber: 1.9g Protein: 4g