Gluten-Free Apple Tea Cake (Moist & Tender!)

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My apple tea cake recipe is the perfect addition to a brunch spread or dessert. It’s topped with a cinnamon oat crumble, and packed with warm spices and sweet apples. It’s the perfect treat for anyone who loves a cozy fall dessert that’s a little healthier than a traditional cake. This gluten-free apple cake is a crowd pleaser and so easy to make!

Apple crumble cakes are one of my favorite desserts! The sweet apple flavor works so well with the spiced warmth of the cinnamon and the crisp oat topping is so satisfying.

It’s a great holiday dessert option or treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or tea. At just 236 calories and only 4 grams of added sugar per serving, I can enjoy a slice guilt-free!

Healthy desserts are always a win-win! I like that they can easily play the role of a great sweet treat after dinner or as a welcomed member of the brunch table. My gluten-free vegan oat flour cake recipe, coffee cake, and vegan olive oil cake are all slightly healthier cakes that taste just like the traditional version!

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🥘 Ingredients

My cinnamon apple tea cake calls for basic ingredients easily found at most grocery stores! See the recipe card below for detailed instructions and nutrition information.

Apples: I use honey crisp, Fuji apples, Granny Smith apples, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples for this gluten-free spiced apple cake. 

Flour: For the best texture, I use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum, like Bob’s Red Mill. If I don’t need to make it gluten-free, I’ll switch to whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour. I’ve also tried oat flour, but it can make the cake a bit denser.

Baking Powder: This ingredient is essential for giving lift to the cake. I always make sure to include it to get the right rise and fluffiness.

Coconut Sugar: I use coconut sugar because it’s less processed than cane or brown sugar. However, if I prefer a deeper flavor with richer molasses notes, I can use brown sugar instead. Granulated sugar will also work if you don’t have coconut or brown sugar.

Eggs: Eggs are crucial for creating a fluffy texture and making the cake moist. Vegan egg substitutes can also be used.

Almond Milk: I use unsweetened almond milk for its neutral taste and its ability to add moisture and creaminess. You can use your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk as an alternative.

Vanilla Extract: High-quality vanilla extract is important to me for adding warm vanilla notes that blend beautifully with the apples.

Lemon Juice: I always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor in this cake. It really enhances the taste.

Raisins: Adding raisins provides extra sweetness and texture that pairs wonderfully with the apples.

Cinnamon & Nutmeg: I use these spices to give the cake its classic apple pie taste. If I want a different twist, I use apple pie or pumpkin pie spice instead.

Melted Butter: Unsalted butter is key for adding richness to the apples as they cook and helps the cake batter achieve a smooth texture that melts in my mouth. Vegan butter can also be used.

Coconut Sugar & Cinnamon: I use these for sweetness and a warm spice flavor. They also give the cake a beautiful rich caramel color.

Gluten-Free Oats: I add gluten-free oats for a crumbly topping that complements this easy recipe perfectly.

👩🏽‍🍳 How To Make A Gluten-Free Apple Tea Cake

Learn how to make my warm and comforting apple cinnamon tea cake with these simple steps.

Preheat And Peel: I preheat the oven to 356 degrees F (180 C). Then, I peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices and set them aside in a large mixing bowl.

Whisk Egg Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, 4 tablespoons of coconut sugar, eggs, almond milk, and vanilla extract.

Cook The Apples: I heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the apple slices, lemon juice, raisins, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ¼ cup of coconut sugar, and butter. I stir until the butter and sugar melt and start to bubble, then continue to cook and stir for another 3 minutes before removing from the heat.

Prep The Baking Dish: I spray a 10-inch x 7-inch baking dish, cake pan, or springform pan with cooking spray. I then add the apple mixture to the prepared pan and spread it evenly over the base. I top it with the egg mixture to create the cake batter.

Make Streusel Topping: In a separate large bowl, I mix all the streusel topping ingredients and evenly sprinkle it over the top of the cake.

Bake The Cake: I bake the gluten-free apple cider cake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until it is cooked through. Once it’s done, I remove it from the oven and let it cool before serving. I enjoy it warm or at room temperature with additional toppings if desired.

📖 Variations

This recipe is delicious as is, but sometimes when I’m looking to switch up this apple tea cake, here are a few of my favorite things to try:

Lower Sugar: For an even lower-sugar cake, I cut the amount of coconut sugar and raisins used in half. This adjustment helps me create a cake that’s lighter on sugar while still delicious.

Vanilla Almond: To make a vanilla almond apple cake, I add ½ teaspoon of almond extract to the cake batter and mix ½ cup of slivered almonds into the cinnamon sugar topping mixture. This gives the cake a lovely almond flavor and a delightful crunch.

Chocolate Apple Cake: While this apple chunk cake is still warm, I sprinkle the top with ½ cup of mini chocolate chips, shreds of my favorite white chocolate bar, or drizzle it with warm vegan Nutella. This adds a rich, chocolatey twist to the cake. Feel free to add some chopped walnuts or pecans into it too!

Dairy-Free Or Vegan: For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter instead of regular butter. For a vegan cake, you’ll want to use vegan egg replacement and vegan butter.

Nut-Free: To make this recipe nut-free, substitute the almond milk with soy milk, low-fat, or whole milk.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

My gluten-free apple spiced cake is great served plain but is also delicious topped with unsweetened whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce or maple syrup. Here are some other pairings I enjoy:

Hot Beverages: I love serving gf apple cake with a small glass of hot apple cider or a cup of coffee or tea, especially during cooler weather. For a fancier spread, I’ll serve it with my honey latte!

Desserts: This is also the perfect sweet treat for warmer months when paired with frozen yogurt, my caramel ice cream, or a dollop of tofu ice cream.

🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating

When it comes to storing my apple cake, I find it’s best to let it cool completely before wrapping it in plastic wrap.

Fridge: Leftover apple cake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezer: To freeze for longer, I just slice the cake, wrap each slice individually, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. This way, I can easily pull out a slice whenever I’m craving a piece of apple cake!

Reheating: To enjoy from frozen, I thaw in the fridge overnight, then heat in the microwave or the oven at 350 degrees until warmed through.

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