Deliciously Moist Vegan Apple Cake with Salted Caramel & Fresh Apples

Embrace the vibrant flavors of autumn with this incredible Vegan Apple Cake recipe! This easy-to-follow guide will help you create a truly moist, perfectly spiced, and utterly decadent cake, generously topped with luscious vegan salted caramel and beautifully arranged fresh apple slices. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan baker or simply looking for a delightful plant-based dessert, this recipe promises to be a showstopper that will impress everyone.

This recipe was originally published on January 29, 2021, and has been updated with new information, enhanced tips, and improved content on November 3, 2023, to ensure the best possible baking experience for you.

This post is proudly sponsored by Nature’s Charm. All opinions and the recipe text are entirely my own, reflecting my genuine love for their exceptional vegan products.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Vegan Apple Cake

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this vegan apple cake. Firstly, it’s incredibly moist, a quality often sought after but sometimes hard to achieve in vegan baking. The combination of oil, non-dairy milk, and brown sugar ensures a tender crumb that stays fresh for days. Secondly, the blend of warm spices, particularly cinnamon, complements the natural sweetness and slight tartness of the apples beautifully, evoking a comforting, autumnal aroma throughout your kitchen. Finally, the homemade touch of sliced apples and a decadent vegan salted caramel topping transforms this simple cake into a gourmet dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to elegant holiday meals. It’s a delightful treat that caters to all, being dairy-free and egg-free, with a gluten-free option available!

Key Ingredients for Your Vegan Apple Cake

Crafting the perfect vegan apple cake starts with selecting high-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential for achieving the best flavor and texture in this plant-based dessert:

• Flour – You have flexibility here! You can use either standard all-purpose flour for a classic texture or opt for a gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend. If choosing the latter, ensure it already includes xanthan gum, which is crucial for binding and elasticity in gluten-free baking. This makes the cake accessible to those with dietary restrictions without compromising on quality.
• Salt – A small but mighty ingredient, salt plays a vital role in balancing the sweetness of the sugars and caramel, while also enhancing all the other wonderful flavors present in the cake. Don’t skip it!
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder – These are your leavening agents, working in tandem to give the cake its beautiful lift and airy texture. Baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients (like apple cider vinegar) to create carbon dioxide, while baking powder provides a secondary rise, ensuring a light and fluffy crumb.
• Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon is a star player, pairing exquisitely with apples to create that signature cozy, spiced flavor. For an extra layer of warmth, you can easily substitute it with a pre-made apple pie spice blend, which often includes nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
• Olive Oil – I personally love using olive oil for the subtle depth and unique fruity note it imparts, which surprisingly complements the apples beautifully. However, if you prefer a more neutral flavor, feel free to use avocado oil or grapeseed oil as direct substitutes. These oils contribute essential moisture, making the cake wonderfully tender.
• Brown Sugar – More than just a sweetener, brown sugar brings a delightful richness and a hint of toffee-like flavor to the cake. Its natural molasses content also contributes significantly to the cake’s moistness and tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar – This provides a clean, straightforward sweetness that perfectly balances the deeper notes of the brown sugar and caramel. It helps achieve the ideal sweet profile without being overpowering.
• Non-Dairy Milk – The liquid base for our vegan cake! Use a plain, unsweetened variety to avoid altering the flavor profile. My personal favorite is plain almond milk for its neutral taste, but plain soy milk or oat milk are excellent alternatives that work just as well, offering a creamy texture.
• Flax Egg – This ingenious vegan binder is made by combining ground flaxseeds with water. When allowed to sit, it forms a gel-like consistency that mimics the binding properties of a chicken egg, crucial for holding the cake together without any animal products.
• Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla extract (or vanilla paste for a more intense flavor) is essential for enhancing the overall sweetness and complexity of the cake, adding a comforting, aromatic note that rounds out the flavors.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – This acidic ingredient is crucial for activating the baking soda, creating more air bubbles and ensuring a greater lift and a lighter texture in your cake. It’s a common secret weapon in many vegan baking recipes!
• Apples – The star of the show! While you can use your favorite type, I highly recommend choosing an apple variety that holds its shape well during baking and offers a pleasant tartness to cut through the sweetness. Excellent choices include Jonagold, Honeycrisp, or the classic Granny Smith.
• Vegan Salted Caramel – To make this recipe exceptionally easy and utterly delicious, I highly recommend using Nature’s Charm’s vegan salted caramel. It provides a luxurious, rich topping with the perfect balance of sweet and salty notes, making this a true caramel apple upside-down cake experience without the fuss of making caramel from scratch.

How to Prepare Your Irresistible Vegan Apple Cake

Creating this delicious vegan apple cake is a straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfect bake every time:

• Step 1: Prepare the Caramel and Apples. Begin by evenly spreading half a jar of your chosen vegan caramel sauce across the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan. Take your peeled and thinly sliced apples (aim for about ¼ inch thick) and artfully arrange them in a single layer over the caramel. You can create a beautiful pattern or simply layer them, ensuring they cover the surface. This will become the stunning top of your upside-down cake. Set this pan aside while you prepare the cake batter.
• Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the flour (either all-purpose or gluten-free blend), fine sea salt, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Whisking ensures all dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is key for a consistent rise and flavor in your cake.
• Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients. In a separate, medium-sized bowl, combine the olive oil (or your preferred neutral oil), brown sugar, granulated sugar, non-dairy milk, the prepared flax egg, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk these ingredients until they are well combined and the sugars begin to dissolve.
• Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Batters. Pour the wet ingredients mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula or spoon, mix until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to a dense cake. Stop as soon as you no longer see pockets of dry flour. If you are using gluten-free flour, allow the batter to rest for approximately 20-30 minutes. This resting period is vital for the gluten-free flour to properly hydrate, preventing a gritty texture in the final cake.
• Step 5: Preheat Oven. While your cake batter is resting (if using gluten-free flour) or as you finish mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking as soon as the cake is ready to go in.
• Step 6: Bake and Cool. Gently pour the prepared cake batter over the sliced apples in the cake pan. Use a spatula to gently spread and even out the top surface of the batter. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it rest in the pan for at least 10 minutes. This brief cooling period helps the cake set before you invert it. After 10 minutes, carefully place a serving plate or platter over the cake pan and, holding both firmly, flip the cake over. Lift the pan to reveal your beautifully caramelized apple cake. Allow the cake to cool completely on the platter before slicing and serving. This allows the moisture to settle and prevents the cake from drying out prematurely.

Expert Tips for the Best Vegan Apple Cake

Achieving a bakery-quality vegan apple cake is simple with these helpful tips:

• Don’t overmix your batter. This is a golden rule in baking, especially for cakes! Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until there are no visible streaks of dry flour. Overmixing develops gluten (even in gluten-free flour to some extent, leading to gumminess), which can make your cake tough, dense, and less tender. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and often result in a more tender crumb.
• Allow gluten-free batter to rest. If you’re using a gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend, this step is non-negotiable for the best texture. Gluten-free flours require more time to absorb liquids compared to wheat flour. Letting the batter rest for 20-30 minutes allows the starches in the flour to fully hydrate. Skipping this can result in a noticeably gritty, crumbly, or dry cake, which is something we definitely want to avoid for a truly enjoyable experience.
• Cool the cake completely before slicing. We know it’s incredibly tempting to cut into a warm, fragrant cake straight from the oven – the aroma alone is intoxicating! However, patience is key here. Allowing the cake to cool completely helps the internal structure set properly. It also allows the moisture to evenly redistribute throughout the cake, ensuring it remains incredibly moist and prevents it from drying out quickly once sliced. Cutting into a warm cake can sometimes cause it to crumble or lose its structure.
• Choose the right apples. As mentioned in the ingredients, select firm, slightly tart apples that hold their shape when baked. Softer, sweeter varieties might turn mushy. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji are excellent choices that provide a nice contrast to the sweet caramel.
• Grease your pan thoroughly. Even with the caramel at the bottom, lightly grease the sides of your cake pan to ensure an easy release once inverted. You can use vegan butter or a neutral oil.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Proper storage is essential to keep your vegan apple cake fresh and delicious for as long as possible:

• Storage: To maintain its delicious moisture and flavor, store any leftover slices of this vegan apple cake in an airtight container. Keep the container in the fridge, where the cake will remain fresh and delightful for up to 5 days. If you’ve made the gluten-free version, it’s best to consume it within 3 days for optimal texture and taste, as gluten-free baked goods can sometimes dry out a little faster.
• Freezing: This vegan apple cake freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying a slice whenever a craving strikes. For best results, wrap each individual slice tightly with a couple of layers of plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped slices into a freezer bag or another airtight container. This double-layer protection helps prevent freezer burn. You can freeze the cake for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw a slice in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Apple Cake

Can I make this vegan apple cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake is perfect for making a day or two in advance. The flavors often deepen and meld beautifully overnight. Store it at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, as per the storage instructions.

What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is important for activating the baking soda. If you don’t have it, you can substitute it with an equal amount of white vinegar or lemon juice. The goal is to provide an acid that will react with the leavening agent.

Can I add nuts to this cake?

Yes, toasted chopped walnuts or pecans would be a fantastic addition to this vegan apple cake! You can fold about ½ cup of chopped nuts into the batter in Step 4, or sprinkle them over the apple layer before pouring the batter for an added crunch and nutty flavor.

Is this recipe suitable for an 8×8 inch square pan?

While the recipe is designed for an 8-inch round cake pan, you could likely adapt it for an 8×8 inch square pan. The baking time might need slight adjustment (potentially a few minutes more or less), so always rely on the toothpick test for doneness.

More Irresistible Vegan Desserts to Try

If you’ve enjoyed this delightful vegan apple cake, you’ll be thrilled to discover more incredible plant-based dessert options. Here are some of my other favorite dairy-free and egg-free treats:

• My vegan banana cupcakes are surprisingly moist and flavorful, so much so that no one will ever guess they’re vegan!
• If your heart truly belongs to chocolate, then you must try my rich and indulgent vegan chocolate banana cupcakes – a perfect blend of fruit and cocoa.
• For a unique, no-bake, and gluten-free treat, this chocolate haupia pie is a must-make. It features a heavenly layer of chocolate filling atop a creamy coconut filling, all in a delightful pie crust.
• Looking for vegan cookies to satisfy that sweet craving? These chewy chocolate chip chickpea cookies offer an unexpected twist, and my festive gluten-free thumbprint cookies are always a crowd-pleaser!

And for those who also enjoy traditional baking, you might love these non-vegan upside-down cakes: my tropical banana coconut upside-down cake, the unique and vibrant kumquat cake, or the classic gluten-free pineapple upside-down cake. You’d also thoroughly enjoy this comforting apple honey ricotta cake and this rustic gluten-free apple cobbler!

Thank you so much for visiting and exploring this delightful Vegan Apple Cake recipe! I sincerely hope you enjoyed making and tasting it as much as I do. For more mouth-watering dairy-free, gluten-free, and/or vegan dessert inspiration, make sure to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t miss out on my newest content – sign up for my email newsletter to get delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox. I promise, no spam, just sweet treats!