This sweet and delicious gluten free Passover apple cake is exactly what you need to bake for Passover! Whenever you combine apples and cake, it is obviously going to be scrumptious. There isn’t going to be a crumb after you try it because it is so good.
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If you want a treat to enjoy while celebrating Passover, this easy gluten-free apple cake recipe will surely be a hit. My family looks forward to me making this recipe every year, and I am sure you will want to do the same. I am not even kidding when I tell you that you are going to want to eat the entire cake!
This matzo apple cake makes a delicious cake, and nobody will know it is gluten-free. It is full of cinnamon apple flavor and so easy to make! Sticking true to the Jewish tradition, this cake is made with gluten-free matzo meal.
If you love to use apples in your baking, don’t forget to check out my very best Gluten-Free Apple Recipes! Many also love to make Gluten-Free Matzo Bark for Passover dessert. I have a lot of wonderful gluten-free recipes for the Jewish holidays.
Ingredients in the Gluten-Free Apple Cake for Passover:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten-Free Matzo Meal – Many ask if matzo meal is gluten-free. Unfortunately, matzo meal is not gluten-free unless you buy specially made gluten free matzo meal. There are a couple of brands of gluten free matzo meals you can use. I have used both Yehuda and Manischewitz brands in this recipe.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend – Any brand should work. I tested this recipe using King Arthur Measure for Measure.
- Sugar – Use brown sugar.
- Eggs – Use large eggs.
- Apples – I love to use more tart apples in this recipe, like Granny Smith and Pink Lady. Any variety will taste delicious.
- Coconut Oil – You can use another light oil if you choose; I do not recommend strong-flavored oils.
- Non-Dairy Milk – Feel free to use non-dairy milk like almond milk to keep this recipe dairy-free.
A Note From My Kitchen
I am skipping over the history of Passover, but for those who wonder why this cake is made with matzo meal it is because Jewish people do not eat leavened bread over this holiday. Baked goods are made with crushed matzo, and over the years, a lot of creative dessert recipes have been created with it.
This gluten-free apple cake recipe for Passover is made with mostly matzo meal, but after a lot of testing, I found the recipe works and tastes better when I include a little gluten-free flour as well. I was only able to test Manischewitz gluten-free matzo meal because I couldn’t find the Yehuda version. The batter in this cake benefits from a rest. Letting the batter rest really helps soften the matzo meal and avoid grittiness.”
How to Make a Gluten-Free Passover Apple Cake (Step-By-Step)
Move the oven rack to the middle of the oven and preheat your oven to 350º F.
Step 1: Wash your apples and remove any price stickers. Slice the apples thinly and add them to a medium-sized
Step 2: Mix the ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon juice with the sliced apples. You want to ensure all the apples are coated with the brown sugar mixture.
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Step 3: Add wet ingredients to a standing mixer or large
Mix the Matzo meal and gluten-free flour into the bowl at low speed. Gradually increase the speed for 30 seconds. Note that there is a matzo cake meal that is ground finer and is perfect for making this cake!
Step 4: Rest the batter for 15 minutes. Spray a 9-inch cake pan with baking oil and line the bottom with parchment paper. This will make it much easier to remove the cake from the pan!
Step 5: Use a wooden spoon to pour half of the gluten-free apple cake batter into the cake pan. Top the batter with the brown sugar apple mixture.
Step 6: Pour the remaining cake batter on top of the apples. Use a rubber spatula to spread the batter around the cake pan to cover all the apples.
Step 7: Bake the cake at 350º F for 35 to 40 minutes until done. The top should be lightly golden and set in the center. If the edges start browning too quickly, loosely cover the cake with foil.
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.
Step 8: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a wire cooling rack. You can cut the cake after it has cooled.
Serving Suggestions:
This apple cake is a wonderful finish to your Seder meal. We love serving it after brisket or roasted chicken with a side of charoset or Gluten-Free Kugel.
Try adding some of these mix-ins:
Have some fun with texture by trying some of these mix-ins. This gluten-free apple cake is delicious as is, but if you want to add in some extra flavors, here are a few ideas:
- Raisins or dried cranberries
- Walnuts, Almonds, or Pecans
Storage and Freezing Tips:
- This cake will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or for up to 4 months in the freezer.
- To freeze this gluten-free matzo apple cake, wrap it in plastic wrap tightly, then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container.
- To thaw the texture and flavor are best if you thaw in the fridge. After the cake has defrosted, toss it in the microwave to warm it up before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Traditionally, there is gluten in matzo. It is an unleavened bread, meaning it was a dough that didn’t rise. The texture and crunch are similar to crackers. It is made with flour and water, so it is not gluten free. To keep this apple cake gluten-free, use gluten-free matzo meal that has been certified kosher.
Yes, you can turn this Passover apple cake recipe into muffins. Follow the instructions as written and pour the batter into a lined or sprayed muffin tin. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes until a toothpick can be inserted and removed and comes out clean.
The muffins are just as scrumptious as the full-sized cake; only you can grab them and go!
If you are serving this at your Passover Seder, you will want to try my easy Gluten-Free Matzo recipe to serve.
More Gluten-Free Apple Recipes:
- One bite of this irresistible Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Cake, and you will be hooked!
- Nobody will know this mouthwatering Gluten-Free French Apple Cake is gluten free!
- Mr. Fearless Dining’s favorite easy Gluten-Free German Apple Cake
- This Gluten-Free Apple Tart With Vanilla Caramel Custard is perfect for a party!
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This helps others know that this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Delicious Gluten-Free Passover Apple Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Cake:
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup non-dairy milk * see note
- ½ cup oil coconut or light oil like avocado
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup cane sugar
- 1 ½ cups gluten free matzo meal * see note
- 2 tablespoons gluten free flour blend or gluten free flour blend
Apple Filling
- 4 apples peeling optional
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Add 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup non-dairy milk, 1/2 cup oil, and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (partially melted) to a stand mixer and mix on low speed, increasing the speed to medium. Mix for 1 minute.
- Turn off the power and add 1 1/2 cups gluten free matzo meal, 1/2 cup cane sugar, and 2 tablespoons gluten free flour blend. Mix on low speed until blended. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes so the matzo meal can absorb the liquid.
- Slice 4 apples very thinly, I left the peels on. You can remove the peels if you like. Place them in a mixing bowl and mix them with 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
- Spray a cake pan with coconut oil, and place a piece of parchment paper cut to the size of the pan on the bottom.
- Pour half of the cake batter into the pan and spread it around to cover the bottom.
- Add the apple mixture on top of the batter.
- Pour the remaining batter on top and spread to cover the apples.
- Bake for 40 minutes until done. The top should be golden in color. 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 needs to bake longer.
- Move the cake to a wire cooling rack. Slice when the cake is fully cooled. Dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Normal matzo meal is not gluten-free. There are two brands of gluten free matzo meal. They are made by Yehuda and Manischewitz companies, and both will work well in this recipe. I only tested Manischewitz because that is the only gluten-free matzo meal brand I could find.
- You can make this cake with milk as directed, or use non-dairy milk to make this recipe dairy-free.
- This cake will keep fresh 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, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
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.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
Should the coconut oil be melted?
Hi Hallie, if your coconut oil is hard, please melt it. Just be careful not to make it too hot or it can cook the eggs.
What is the point in marking a recipe gluten free when you then say that gluten free matzo meal doesn’t exist! You then go on to say that the matzo meals (not gluten free) work well in this recipe WHICH THEN IS CLEARLY NOT GLUTEN FREE!!!
Hi Marilyn, you will have to point me to what you see, because I do not see it. I would encourage you to read the post where I clearly talk about gluten free matzo, the brands available, etc. I also talk about gluten-free matzoh meal in the recipe notes. It is clear you didn’t really read my recipe or post.
What size cake pan?
Hi Heather, I used a 9-inch cake pan. I know several readers have said they use a springform pan to remove the cake easier.
Hi Sandi,
How much melted butter goes in this recipe? I don’t see a measurement anywhere, but I definitely might have missed it. Thank you!
Hi Jenny, in this recipe add two tablespoons melted butter with the wet ingredients.
I would love to make this cake. Can a sugar alternative (1-1) be substituted for the sugars?
Hi Shari, I have no experience baking with alternative sugars, so I am not sure how to advise you.
Thank you,
I’ll let you know how it comes out if I make it.
Have a good weekend!
Looks like a great recipe. Have I missed the cake pan size? Would a 10″ springform pan be a good choice?
A ten-inch springform pan should work. I used a 9 inch cake pan.
Hi
Can I substitute matzo meal for matzo flour?
Cheers
Helen
Hi Helen, I haven’t tested matzo flour. I haven’t seen it in stores here. I would assume it should be fine to substitute it, but keep an eye on the moisture level. You may need to add more liquid since matzo flour is much finer.
I have gluten free matzo meal so I will definitely make this! Thank you! I cannot believe that it’s almost Passover again!
Time seems to be going by so fast. I hope you love the cake as much as we do :-).
I don’t have GF Matzo meal, but I do have GF Panko. would that be a workable substitute?
Hi Lisa, I am not sure as I haven’t tried this recipe with panko. If you don’t need this cake to be kosher for Passover, I recommend making the Gluten Free Creamy Apple Cake recipe on my blog. Just put apple cake into the search bar.