Description
A wholesome and moist Healthy Apple Cake bursting with natural sweetness from fresh apples and natural sweeteners. Featuring whole wheat flour, warm spices, and nourishing ingredients, this cake is easy to make, versatile, and adaptable for gluten-free, vegan, and diet-friendly variations. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a nourishing snack.
Ingredients
																
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			Fruits
- 2 cups fresh tart apples, peeled, cored, and diced
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan version)
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (or coconut/almond yogurt for vegan option; or applesauce as alternative)
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans) or seeds (pumpkin seeds) for nut-free version
Instructions
- Prepare Your Apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Toss them lightly with a pinch of cinnamon to enhance their flavor before folding into the batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs or flax eggs, then add Greek yogurt (or alternative), honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate Wet and Dry: Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir gently with a spatula just until combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
- Fold in Apples and Nuts: Gently fold the prepared apple chunks and optional chopped nuts or seeds into the batter, ensuring even distribution without crushing the fruit.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined cake pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best balance of sweetness and flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter to maintain a tender texture.
- Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg provide stronger flavor than pre-ground.
- Let the cake rest before serving to allow flavors to develop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of cake)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: healthy apple cake, gluten-free apple cake, vegan apple cake, whole wheat apple cake, natural sweetener cake, moist apple cake, wholesome dessert
