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Vegan Applesauce Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 110 reviews

This vegan applesauce cake is a moist and flavorful dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Made without eggs or dairy, it uses unsweetened applesauce to keep the cake tender and naturally sweet. The cake is spiced with warm cinnamon, ginger, and allspice, then topped with a creamy vegan buttercream frosting, optionally adorned with caramelized apples for an extra gooey texture. Easy to make and utterly delicious, this cake is both dairy-free and vegan, offering a delightful treat for all palates.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups (405g) all-purpose plain flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice (or ground nutmeg)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (510g) unsweetened applesauce (room temperature)
  • 3/4 cup (170g) dairy-free milk (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup (110g) neutral flavored oil
  • 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice, optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

  • 1 cup (225g) vegan block butter (room temperature)
  • 3–4 cups (300-400g) powdered sugar / icing sugar (to taste or as needed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons (15-30g) dairy-free milk (or as needed)

Additional

  • 1 batch caramelized apples (for extra gooey version, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease or line a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and non-stick baking.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and salt until very well combined with no lumps.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the applesauce, dairy-free milk, neutral-flavored oil, vinegar (or lemon juice), and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; it’s important not to overmix to keep the cake light and tender. A few small lumps are okay as long as there is no dry flour visible.
  4. Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula or spoon.
  5. Bake the Cake: Bake for 32 to 38 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Typically, 35 minutes is ideal for a moist texture.
  6. Cool Down: Remove the cake from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Allow the cake to cool completely, which helps the frosting stick better.
  7. Prepare Buttercream Frosting: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the vegan butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting or dairy-free milk for a softer spreadable texture.
  8. Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the buttercream evenly all over the top of the cake. For an extra indulgent touch, swirl in caramel from caramelized apples into the frosting and dot the top with the apples.
  9. Serve and Store: Slice the cake into squares and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day, refrigerated for up to three days, or freeze for up to one month.

Notes

  • The all-purpose flour should be spooned into the measuring cup and leveled off for accurate measurement to ensure proper cake texture.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to help batter mix smoothly and avoid clumping.
  • Caramelized apples add an extra gooey, flavorful topping that complements the spices in the cake perfectly—consider making an extra batch for garnish.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender; small lumps are normal.
  • Storage instructions ensure freshness and maintain texture when keeping leftovers.

Keywords: vegan applesauce cake, dairy-free cake, vegan dessert, applesauce cake recipe, vegan frosting, spiced cake, moist apple cake

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/vegan-applesauce-cake-recipe/