If you love apple cake, this easy Gluten-Free German Apple Cake is a delicious dessert recipe to try. Each bite is full of tender sweet apples. Double the recipe if you are feeding a crowd! I include a video below to show you how easy this German apple cake is to make.
This gluten free version of our family’s German apple cake recipe is just as good as the real thing! Crisp fresh apples and lots of cinnamon give this cake so much flavor. This homemade gluten-free German apple cake recipe is one of my husband’s family favorites. It is one of many German dessert recipes I can’t wait to share with you. This cake is really easy to make in just a few easy steps.
This cake has lots of easy substitutions depending on any other food allergies you may have. If you love apples as much as we do, check out these delicious gluten free apple recipes. I have over 100 delicious gluten free cake recipes to try. I hope you can check them out.
Allergen Information:
This easy apple cake recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and nut-free. I am happy to say this recipe is also refined sugar-free as well!
This is one of my favorite gluten-free flour blends for cookies, cakes, pie crust, biscuits, and muffins! (Do not use this flour blend for yeast recipes.)
Ingredient Notes:
I modified this recipe from my husband’s family because we are trying to reduce our processed sugar intake. You can use cane sugar if you prefer. Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and still sweetens baking nicely.
- Apples – I used Pink Lady apples. I prefer tart apples, but any variety will taste great.
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 flour blends. Other blends should work, but note you may need to add more or less liquid depending on how starchy your blend is.
- Baking Powder – Use aluminum-free.
- Coconut Sugar – I used golden coconut sugar, which will make your cake darker. You can use regular sugar or brown sugar in this cake recipe.
- Coconut Oil – Be sure to melt the oil before mixing it into the wet ingredients.
- Eggs – Use size large.
- Vanilla Extract – I recommend using pure vanilla extract.
- Brown Sugar – This is for coating the apples.
Substitutions:
- Coconut sugar swap: Feel free to use regular organic sugar for this recipe if you would like. Either way, this cake is perfectly sweet.
- Coconut oil swap: You can use any mild flavored oil or butter in this recipe.
Step-By-Step Directions:
Step 1: In a large
Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a smaller bowl. If your coconut oil is solid, melt it for 20 seconds in the microwave oven.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Mix the wet and dry ingredients into a cake batter similar to mine. As shown in this picture, your cake batter will be thick.
🔑 Sandi says: HINT: Do not overmix the cake batter. Mix it in a bowl by hand, and don’t use a standing mixer. Overmixing this batter will make your cake dense!
Step 5: In a separate bowl, add the blond coconut sugar and cinnamon to the peeled and cut-up apple slices. Although you do not have to peel your apples, I recommend doing so for this recipe.
Step 4: Pour the cake batter into a greased 8×8 baking pan. Top with the apple mixture. Press the apples down a bit so they set into the cake.
Step 5: Bake at 350º F for 40 minutes until the cake is done. The apples will look soft, and the cake will be firm to the touch.
Step 6: Allow the German apple cake to cool. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cake must be baked longer.
Slice the cake into nine slices and serve. You can eat it plain or top it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
If you love German desserts, try this easy Gluten Free Peach Kuchen recipe too!
Recipe FAQ:
Although you can leave the peels on, I prefer to make this cake with peeled apples.
Many apple types will work in this easy German apple cake recipe. Here are some of my favorites: Gravenstein, Granny Smith, Gala, Pippin, and Pink Lady.
This cake will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 4 months in the freezer.
Reader Adaptations:
Iza mixed her apples throughout the cake and dusted the top with powdered sugar.
More Gluten-Free Cake Recipes:
- Gluten-Free French Apple Cake
- Creamy Fool Proof Gluten-Free Apple Cake
- Gluten-Free Raspberry Bundt Cake
- Gluten-Free Orange Almond Flour Cake
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Include which flour blend you used. This helps others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Gluten Free German Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free flour blend * see note
- ¾ cup coconut sugar * see note
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder aluminum-free
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Apple Mixture
- 2 apples (peel removed and sliced)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. Set the oven rack to the middle of the oven.
- Peel and slice apples into thin slices. (Peeling is optional.)
- In a large mixing bowl, add dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
- In a smaller mixing bowl add the wet ingredients and mix well.
- In a third bowl, add apples, ¼ cup coconut sugar and cinnamon. Toss to coat.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Spray an 8×8 pan with coconut oil. Add the batter and spread it out.
- Add the apple slices on top of the batter and press gently into the cake batter.Â
- Bake the cake for 40 minutes until done.
Video
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- You can use regular sugar instead of coconut sugar in the cake for a light colored cake.Â
- This cake will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
Really easy to make. Came out moist and delicious. My husband couldnt tell it wasnt made with flour or refined sugar. Thank you
I am so glad you likee it Sara!
Hello! Any tips on making this ahead, or doubling the recipe and using a 9×13 dish?
Hi Pam, I haven’t made this cake ahead, I think it is possible, but I haven’t tried it. I assume it would be fine in an 9×13 dish, but I am not sure how deep the batter would go.
Hi,
I just made this and used 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup coconut cream milk substitute (thick consistency) and 1/4 c coconut oil. My batter was very thin. Any suggestions? I hope that it will bake ok. Thanks!
Hi Anne, it most likely depends on what gluten free flour blend you used. Some have higher starch content, which absorb more liquids. If you tell me what you used, we can troubleshoot it.
Hi Sandi,
I apologize, I didn’t see your reply. The cake baked beautifully with the thin batter and the cake was delicious. I used Laila’s gluten free mix from Sweden, where we live. It’s a wheat (gluten free) and potato starch mix. I have already baked this several times using different milk free products and either coconut oil or rapeseed and they all provided great results. The coconut oil provides a nice flavor, and the brown sugar caramelizes nicely. Thanks for sharing such a versatile recipe! This is one that we will enjoy forever! I’ve already shared it with my friends. All the best! Anne
I am so glad it worked out and thank you so much for coming back to let us know 🙂
Loved this recipe. I made it twice, first time I used a gluten free flour I had on hand, added xanthum gum. Also I used xylitol instead of coconut sugar, because xylitol is low glycemic.
It was really good, but I thought maybe to add lemon zest to batter.
So my second attempt, I powdered the xylitol that went into the batter mix; I used s heaping tsp of baking powder & the zest of a whole lemon into the batter; and I increased the vanilla by 1/2 tsp.
Also, because I placed the apple slices a bit closer than the last time, I had an empty space, so I placed sour cherries on top. (sour cherries in a jar from Hungary),
Well it was absolutely delicious & yes I used Cup4Cup flour & the end result – Delicious! Thx for this recipe 🙂
OOoh, I am so glad to know this worked with xylitol. I often have readers ask about sugar-free. Thank you so much for sharing your modifications!
Looks awesome! I should add 1/2 cup melted or solid coconut oil?? ?
I highly suggest melting the coconut oil so that it can blend in well.
Mmmm, I love German apple cake! I definitely need to try this GF version too as we have several GF eaters in our family.
This cake is super moist, hope your family loves it as much as we do.
Love that you made this gluten-free. Your apple cake seems easier made this way too. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much Ginny. Have a great weekend :-).
I would love to buy your GF all purpose version of flour. Let me know where are they available. Love to try making this cake with your homemade flour. Thanks a lot!
Hi Irenesky, I use Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend in this recipe. You can get it in most grocery stores, and on Amazon. Thank you so much for your note.
Love it, perfect for fall time!
Thank you so much Eden 🙂
this looks delicious! I love coconut sugar for baking!!
So do we! Coconut sugar keeps out the sugar buzz.
Gluten free, refined sugar free and easy? Yes please! Well done, this sounds amazing!
Thank you so much Sarah!
We made this cake today and it was fantastic! Easy to make and so tasty ! Thanks for the recepie
I am so glad you liked it Shiva 🙂
I love German apple cake such a classic. My mom was used to bake it for us. Nice to see you have revamped it to be more modern.
Thank you so much Adriana. I bet your mom’s version is so good 🙂
Apple cake is always a favourite in these parts, this looks and sounds delicious!
Thank you so much Brian 🙂
Yum!! I don’t think I’ve ever had apple cake! This sounds like a really tasty dessert!
Enjoy Liz 🙂
This sounds so good. My Dad loves apples in anything. Will have to try it.
I hope he likes this German apple cake recipe Julie 🙂
This looks so good and I love it that we have gluten free flours available to us! Thanks for the great recipe, Grandma!
Anytime 🙂