Vegan Old-Fashioned Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting
A moist, tender apple cake filled with fresh apple pieces, warm spices, and lemon zest, topped with a silky brown sugar frosting that sets into a caramel-like glaze. An allergy-friendly twist on a nostalgic classic.
Ingredients
- For the cake: 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup neutral oil (canola, sunflower, or avocado)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup dairy-free milk (oat or soy recommended)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (about 2 medium)
- For the frosting: 1/2 cup vegan butter substitute
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup dairy-free milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- 1Mix and bake the cake
Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease and line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.
- 2Combine wet and dry
In a large bowl, whisk oil, applesauce, brown sugar, granulated sugar, dairy-free milk, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth. Stir dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Fold in chopped apples.
- 3Bake the cake
Spread evenly in the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- 4Make the frosting
In a saucepan, melt vegan butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and cook for 2 minutes, until dissolved. Add dairy-free milk and bring just to a boil. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
- 5Frost and serve
Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth and glossy. Pour frosting over the cooled cake and let set before slicing.
