Made with fresh apples, a soft cake, and a delicious crumble, this Gluten Free Apple Cake with a Crumb Topping is the perfect easy fall dessert. Spiced just right and full of apple flavor, this recipe is a fall spin on a classic crumb cake.
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 Crumble Cake. This gluten free cake is perfect for easy weekend baking after apple picking in the fall, but it's also elegant enough to make for a dinner party or bring to a fall get together.
If you don't know, I love a crumble topping and add it to basically every recipe I can. Like 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 cake is gluten free, dairy free, corn free, nut free, and refined sugar free. Free of some of the most common allergens, this recipe is a fall dessert you can feel safe sharing with others.
- Healthy apple cake: not only is this cake refined sugar free, it contains a fraction of the sugar that crumb cakes generally have. This recipe calls for heart healthy olive oil and we also use applesauce for half the fat. The applesauce provides a light, moist texture without the added fat and also contributes to the apple flavor. Fresh chopped apples add fiber and micronutrients.
- 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!
Gluten Free Apple Cake Ingredients
- Apples: you'll need about 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. 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 for more olive oil.
- Yogurt: I have not tested an alternative for the yogurt. Applesauce or olive oil might work.
- 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
Serving and Storage
This homemade gluten-free apple cake tastes best at room temperature. It's delicious with cup of coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. You can sprinkle the top with powdered sugar before serving or even make a homemade icing, like the one I use on my Coffee Cake Cookies.
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 wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, but keep in this mind this will alter the crumb topping texture (it will still taste great!).
Tips for Making the Best Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Cake
- 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.
- 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.
FAQ
Yes! 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 45-60 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.
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.
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
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 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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