This Gluten free apple cake is an incredibly creamy cake full of apple flavor! And a bonus, the recipe is completely fool proof, anyone can make it...yet it has the taste of a fancy bakery cake! If you have been looking for that show stopper cake, look no further than this delicious gluten free cake recipe
Learning how to eat gluten free so you can enjoy gluten free dessert recipes like apple cake is easy! And, if you love apples as much as we do, I have lots of delicious gluten free apple desserts just waiting to be made!!
When my husband saw this moist apple cake recipe in an article in the Wall Street Journal, he cut out the page from the newspaper and taped the recipe to my computer. Hmmm, he asked if I could make this wheat-free and Celiac safe, this is a big hint that he definitely wants me to make this.
(And if you love caramel and apples together, give this gluten free caramel apple cake recipe or this gluten free French apple cake recipe a try!) Mr. Fearless Dining is the master of subtlety.
The author had adapted a recipe by Aleksandra Crapanzano from "The Arrows Cookbook" by Clark and Frasier and Mark Gaier. (After tasting this cake, I plan to buy this cookbook. This cake is moist and creamy, but has a slight crispiness to the top and edges that makes it hard to resist.)
You know I am always up for a challenge, so I set out to make a gluten free version of this simple apple cake."
How to convert this apple cake recipe to gluten free
Converting recipes to gluten free can be a challenge. Each gluten free flour blend behaves differently when combined with certain ingredients. It is truly like a chemistry experiment!
Luckily, I found this apple cake recipe really easy to convert to gluten-free. I used this gluten free flour blend for this recipe. This brand of gluten free flour by Bob's Red Mill worked out perfectly. I have also made this recipe with Authentic Foods MultiBlend Gluten Free Flour mix.
This easy wheat-free apple dessert will definitely become one of your favorites."
This recipe has been one of the most popular dessert recipes on my blog, and once you make it, you will easily understand why. I have updated it slightly to include a few new apple recipes up on the blog. If you love fresh fruit in cakes, you may want to try this Gluten Free Plum Upside-Down Cake recipe too!
Are you ready to get started?
Instructions:
The gluten free cake batter for this cake is very creamy, and that is before adding the cream on top before it goes into the oven.
What is the best gluten free flour for cake?
I have made this cake with King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour. If your gluten free flour blend doesn't contain Xanthan Gum, please do add 1 teaspoon to hold your cake together.
You will find that this recipe for gluten free moist apple cake is completely foolproof."
What is the best cake pan to use?
You have several cake pan options when you make this cake. I used a regular single layer cake pan, but you can also use a sheet cake pan (for a rectangular-shaped cake), or a springform pan. (If you use a springform pan, you definitely want a pan underneath in case it leaks!)
Pour the cake batter into the cake pan you choose, add the sliced apples in a pretty pattern, then top with cream. I will note next time I make this recipe, I will make it in a greased springform pan.
Although the cake didn't spill over the top of my pan, there were a few moments I was really worried. (And I HATE cleaning my oven!!)
Top Tip:
Make sure to put a pan or aluminum foil under the springform pan. One reader noted that the cake batter can leak out of the springform pan.
What are the best apples for baking?
I love to use a more tart apple for this gluten free apple cake recipe. Here are my favorite apple varieties:
- Granny Smith
- Jonagold
- Braeburn
- Gala
- Gravenstein
These are by far the most flavorful apples for baking and all of my apple cake recipes with fresh apples use one of these apple varieties.
How many chopped apples make a cup?
If you are using medium-sized apples, one apple with the peel removed, de-cored, and chopped should equal 1 cup of apple. If you are using a small apple, the small apple should equal 1/2 cup of chopped apple.
How long will this apple cake last?
This apple cake will last 2-3 days in your refrigerator...if your family doesn't eat it sooner!
Can you add chopped nuts?
This gluten free apple cake is naturally nut-free, but if you want to add chopped nuts, I recommend using pecans or walnuts.
Can you make this cake dairy-free?
I have not made this cake dairy-free and I am not sure if it would work out using coconut milk and vegan butter. If you try it, please comment and let us know if it worked.
More Delicious Gluten Free Cakes with Fruit:
- Want more apple cake? This Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cake adds thick and creamy caramel!
- This Gluten Free Orange Almond Flour Cake is perfect for dessert.
- Need a fancy cake? This Gluten Free Raspberry Vanilla Bundt Cake is a pretty dessert to serve. Nobody will know it is gluten free.
- This British dessert, Gluten Free Strawberry Lemon Bakewell, is fun to make.
- Click here to see all of the gluten free cakes on this blog.
Reader adaptations:
Sandra G wrote that she used President's Choice All Purpose Gluten Free Flour and broiled the top of the cake for 2 minutes to brown the top and caramelize the sugars on top.
Tools:
- Cake pan: This cake pan is deep enough to make this delicious apple cake the perfect size for guests.
- Apple slicer: An easy cheat. I use this and it cores and slices my apples. To make the apple slices a little thinner in this recipe, I halved the slices again.
If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave me a rating and a comment. I LOVE hearing from you!! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest to see even more delicious recipes!
Gluten Free Creamy Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend (*Note, my flour blend has xanthan gum included. If yours doesn't, add 1 teaspoon.)
- 1 1/2 cup cups sugar reserve 1/4 cup to sprinkle on top of the cake before baking
- 8 tablespoons butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 medium apples peels removed and sliced thinly
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 10 inch cake pan with coconut oil.
- Line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add sugar, vanilla, and butter and mix 3-5 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time.
- Sift together the flours, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the bowl, mixing on low, alternating between milk and flours.
- Pour the batter into the cake pan.
- Add the sliced apples on top.
- Pour the cream on top of the apples.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup sugar on top of the cake.
- Place the springform pan on a baking sheet, or wrap the bottom in tin foil just in case there is a leak in your springform pan! Bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack.
Nutrition
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(*This post was updated from an older Sept 2018 post.)
Alizon
I'm really feeling your recipes girl! Can't wait for orchard season. I'm going to pick some fresh Johnnies and whip up this mouth watering specimen.
Sandi Gaertner
I love you can go get apples fresh like that!!
DebS
Can this be made ahead? I'm thinking this would be lovely as a Christmas dessert. Could I make it the day before?
Sandi Gaertner
You can make it the day before, but I wouldn't make it any earlier given the creaminess.
Leigh
I literally threw this together this afternoon, made a mistake in my rush and mixed the cream/all the sugar into the batter. This is the best flippin dessert ive eaten since my GF journey started!!! I think next time ill chop apples into small bits and mix them in there too and see what happens. Bless you dear soul for sharing this recipe!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you liked it Leigh...I love the idea of chopping the apples in.
Leigh
Just made this again with the apples chopped/mixed in and changed the milk to almond milk for less dairy. It was just as delish this time as it was the first time. Your my dessert hero!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you like it. I will have to try it with the apples chopped up inside, sounds really good!!
Leigh
Can you freeze this?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Leigh, to be honest, I am not sure. I would assume you can but I haven't tried it. If you do freeze it, please come back and let us know how it turned out.