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Vegan Apple Coffee Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 75 reviews
  • Author: anna
  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This Vegan Apple Coffee Cake is a moist and flavorful treat layered with cinnamon-spiced apple filling, a crunchy crumb topping, and a soft, thick cake base. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or an afternoon snack, this plant-based cake uses everyday pantry ingredients and delivers classic apple and cinnamon aromas without any dairy or eggs.

Ingredients

Scale

Crumb Topping:

  • 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose plain flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 3 tablespoons (40g) granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons (35g) packed light brown sugar (or more granulated sugar)
  • 4 1/2 tablespoons (65g) melted vegan butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Apple Filling:

  • 2 x (~275g) peeled and chopped small apples (weighed after peeling)
  • 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose plain flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Sugar Layer (optional):

  • 1/4 cup (65g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cake Batter:

  • 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose plain flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup (130g) unsweetened applesauce (or unsweetened dairy-free yogurt, room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup (110g) neutral flavored oil
  • 5 tablespoons (70g) dairy-free milk (room temperature)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice, optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (355°F). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking tin with parchment paper, allowing some paper to overhang for easy cake removal.
  2. Make the Crumb Topping: In a small bowl, combine all the crumb topping ingredients—flour, sugars, melted vegan butter, and cinnamon. Mix until combined into a crumbly texture. Refrigerate until needed to keep firm.
  3. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, add peeled and chopped apples, granulated sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Toss together until the apples are evenly coated and set aside.
  4. Make the Cinnamon Sugar Layer (Optional): Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set it aside for layering within the cake.
  5. Make the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the wet ingredients: applesauce, neutral oil, dairy-free milk, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract. Mix gently until just combined into a thick batter.
  6. Assemble the Cake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface carefully. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar layer on top. Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar and smooth the surface gently without disturbing the cinnamon sugar layer.
  7. Add Apple Filling and Crumble: Scatter the prepared apple filling over the top of the batter—they should rest on the surface without pressing down. Then sprinkle the chilled crumb topping evenly over the apples.
  8. Bake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour 3 minutes to 1 hour 8 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean without wet batter.
  9. Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Then carefully use the parchment paper overhang to transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Serve: Slice the cake using a serrated knife. Enjoy it as is or with a scoop of your favorite vegan ice cream. Best eaten the day it’s baked, leftovers can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days, refrigerated up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month, though the crumble topping will soften over time.

Notes

  • The applesauce can be substituted with unsweetened dairy-free yogurt at room temperature for a slightly tangier flavor.
  • Neutral flavored oil like canola or sunflower oil works best to keep the flavors balanced.
  • The cinnamon sugar layer between the batter is optional but adds a lovely sweet-spicy surprise inside the cake.
  • For a simple icing, you can mix powdered sugar with a little dairy-free milk and vanilla extract to drizzle on top once cooled.
  • Ensure apples are peeled and chopped small to bake evenly and distribute flavor throughout the cake.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: vegan apple coffee cake, apple cinnamon cake, vegan dessert, plant-based coffee cake, apple crumble cake, vegan baking

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Find it online: https://recipiana.com/vegan-apple-coffee-cake-recipe/