If you're craving an easy and cozy fall dessert, this Gluten Free Apple Crumble Cake is the recipe to make. It features a soft, tender cinnamon cake filled with fresh apples and topped with a golden crumble. Best of all, it's completely gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free, yet tastes like an apple crumb cake you'd find at a bakery.
Unlike many gluten free cakes, this apple crumble cake stays incredibly moist thanks to fresh apples, applesauce, and dairy free yogurt. You can elevate any basic dessert into something a little more special by adding a crumble topping, so that's exactly what I did with this gluten free apple cake. Every bite is packed with warm cinnamon flavor, sweet apples, and a crunchy crumb topping, making it equally perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee or as a comforting dessert with a scoop of ice cream.
If you don't know, I love a crumble topping and add it to basically every recipe I can. Whether it's my Gluten Free Berry Crumble Cake, Gluten Free Cinnamon Crumble Scones, Gluten Free Walnut Crumble Banana Bread, or Paleo Coffee Cake.
Why You'll Love This Apple Crumble Cake Recipe
- Allergy friendly: this easy apple crumble cake is gluten free, dairy free, corn free, soy free, nut free, and refined sugar free, making it a great option for sharing with family and friends who have multiple food sensitivities
- Naturally sweetened: not only is this healthy apple cake refined sugar free, it contains a fraction of the sugar that crumb cakes generally have.
- Moist without excess fat: we use heart healthy olive oil and applesauce for half the fat. The applesauce provides a light, moist texture while also contributing to the apple flavor.
- Crumb topping: the gluten free crumb topping takes a boring apple cake and makes it addictive! If you love apple desserts and coffee cake, this cinnamon apple crumb cake is basically a combination of the two.
- Easy to make: this recipe is basically a quick bread recipe baked in a cake pan so it comes together quickly with simple ingredients and only has a few basic steps. It's a very easy recipe!
- Perfect fall breakfast or dessert: since it's lower sugar, this recipe is delicious as a breakfast apple cake or a healthy apple crumble cake for dessert.
Gluten Free Apple Crumble Cake Ingredients
- Apples: you'll need 1 large apple of your favorite variety for this recipe.
- Gluten free flour: be sure to use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum.
- Tigernut flour or almond flour: tigernut flour is a nut free alternative to almond flour, but either will work. This goes into the crumble topping, but I provide an alternative below if you only want to use one flour in the whole recipe.
- Coconut sugar: the unrefined sweetener used in the cake base.
- Olive oil: this heart healthy oil helps keep the cake texture light and moist.
- Applesauce: this replaces half the fat in the recipe for a healthier alternative, adding moisture and fluff to the cake.
- Eggs: 2 large eggs help us get a good rise!
- Yogurt: I use dairy free coconut yogurt, but you can use regular yogurt (try Greek yogurt for a protein boost). This helps keep this gluten-free apple cake moist with a tender crumb.
- Milk: dairy free or regular milk will work.
- Maple syrup: the unrefined sweetener used in the crumble topping.
- Baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla extract: be sure to use an aluminum free baking powder like one I have linked (which is also corn free!).
How to Make Gluten Free Apple Crumble Cake
- Mix all ingredients for the crumb topping together in a small bowl until you have a crumble texture that holds together when pinched. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8x8inch baking dish with parchment paper. You can also use an 8-inch round cake pan.
- Whisk together all of the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a stand mixer or using an electric mixer, beat together the oil and sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth. Add the remaining wet ingredients and beat to combine.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined (use the paddle attachment if using a stand mixer).
- Toss the chopped apple with flour and cinnamon to coat, this helps them from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking. Use a rubber spatula to fold apples into the cake batter.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top of the batter. Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the top of the cake.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake and the top is golden brown.
- Let the cake cool and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Coconut sugar: you can use light brown sugar, but this will not be refined sugar free.
- Olive oil: melted coconut oil or melted (dairy free) butter will also work. I find olive oil provides the lightest texture for best results.
- Applesauce: if you don't have applesauce, you can replace it with more olive oil.
- Yogurt: I have not tested an alternative for the yogurt. Applesauce or olive oil might work.
- Apples: not a huge apple fan? Try pears instead!
- Crumb topping: if you only have gluten free flour on hand, you can skip the tigernut or almond flour. Use 2 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 2-4 tablespoon of maple syrup then add an extra 2 tablespoon of coconut sugar.
- Variations: add extra cinnamon or apple pie spice to the cake base. Make this more of an apple coffee cake by adding a layer of a cinnamon-sugar in the middle of the cake or swirling it in before adding the crumb topping. You can also add walnuts or pecans to the cake base or crumble topping.
- Glaze option: you can also add a glaze to the top of this cake before serving. Try the one I use on my Coffee Cake Cookies.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade gluten-free apple cake tastes best at room temperature. It's delicious with a cup of coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, or with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.
Serving suggestions:
- Vanilla ice cream or cinnamon ice cream
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving
- Homemade icing, as mentioned in the substitutions and variations section above.
- Drizzle with a homemade caramel sauce
- Coconut whipped cream
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5. Just let a slice come to room temp before serving! You can also wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, but keep in mind this will alter the crumb topping texture (it will still taste great).
Tips for Making the Best Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Cake
- Chop apples well: dice the apples into ¼ inch pieces to keep them evenly distributed throughout the cake instead of sinking.
- Measure ingredients properly: for dry ingredients, scoop the flour into your measuring cup then level it off.
- Don't over mix the batter: for best results with gluten free baking, you never want to over mix batter. Mix until just combined and in this case, until there are a few flour streaks remaining. The flour will get fully incorporated when you fold in the apples.
- Make sure the crumble sticks: gently press the crumble into the top of the cake so it holds together and doesn't just fall off when serving.
- Don't over bake the cake: gluten free baked goods dry out fast, so for a moist crumb, pull the cake out right before you think it's done. When you insert a toothpick into the center of the cake, it should come out with a few crumbs on it and when you press on the center of the cake it should feel bouncy. It will continue to cook a little as it cools. This goes for most gluten free recipes.
Best Apples for Apple Crumble Cake
The kind of apples you use is based on personal preference. If you love tart flavors, opt for Granny Smith Apples. If you love sweet, use Fuji or Gala apples. If you like super sweet, try Pink Lady or Honeycrisp. I like to use a mix of tart and sweet, using half Granny Smith and half Honeycrisp.
FAQ
Yes, it is gluten free as written! Just be sure to check ingredient labels.
Yes, it is also dairy free as written.
I have not tested an egg-free apple cake. You could always try using something like Bob's Red Mill egg replacer or flax eggs, but I can't guarantee the outcome. If you try it, leave a comment letting me know how it went.
Yes, it can be made entirely nut free by using tigernut flour instead of almond flour. Tigernuts are actually a root vegetable, not a tree nut, so they're safe for most nut allergies.
Yes, you can certainly make an apple streusel loaf! Make the batter the same way, but add it to a lined loaf pan instead. You will probably need to adjust the baking time and bake it closer to 45+ minutes.
The kind of apples you use is based on personal preference. If you love tart flavors, opt for Granny Smith Apples. If you love sweet, use Fuji or Gala apples. I like to use a mix of tart and sweet.
No, you don't want to use apple pie filling as it contains more liquid and additives that will make the batter too wet and result in a gummy cake. This recipe is designed for fresh apples.
This can happen if ingredients weren't measured properly or due to over-mixing the batter (see my Tips section above).
Honestly, this is personal preference. I write in the recipe to peel the apples as most people don't like the texture of apple peels in their desserts. Apple peels contain a lot of nutrients though, so I often skip this step.
Yes, you can make it the day before serving for the best texture and flavor.
More Fall Apple Desserts
Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Bread
Easy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Caramel Apple Crisp Cheesecake
Gluten Free Apple Pie Cheesecake Cookies
Ninja Creami Apple Crisp Ice Cream (Vegan)
If you try this recipe, please let me know if you enjoyed it by leaving a rating and review below!
Gluten Free Apple Crumble Cake (Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)
Ingredients
Crumble Topping
- ½ cup tigernut flour or almond flour*
- ½ cup 1:1 gluten free flour
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2-4 tablespoon melted coconut oil or butter
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
Cake
- 1 cup peeled and diced apples tossed in 1 tablespoon flour and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon**
- 2 cupS 1:1 gluten free flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup yogurt of choice***
- ¼ cup milk of choice***
- 2 eggs room temp
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix the flours together for the crumb topping.
- Add the oil and maple syrup and mix together until you get a crumb texture that holds together when pinched. Set aside.
- Whisk the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Beat together oil and sugar with a paddle attachment until smooth.
- Add in remaining wet ingredients and beat to combine.
- Add in the dry ingredients to the wet and mix on low until just combined and you have a few flour streaks remaining.
- Toss diced apples with the flour and cinnamon to coat. Fold apples into the batter.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Crumble topping evenly over the cake.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the center and top is golden.
- Let cool and enjoy!
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