This gluten free apple cake is the perfect fall snack cake! It is light, fluffy and sweet. Slathered with vanilla frosting and bursting with cozy spiced flavors, this cake is sure to make your home smell amazing. The best part about this cake is that you get a sweet crunch of apple in every bite! Not only is this apple cake gluten free, but it is also easily adapted to be dairy free and egg free, if needed. I also used a box mix for this, which makes this cake so easy to whip up. You can throw it together in under 10 minutes and pop it in the oven. I know you’re going to love it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It uses a box mix so that it’s super quick to throw together!This cake is bursting with fall flavors of apple and cinnamon.
It’s slathered with frosting. Who doesn’t love frosting?
It’s kid-friendly!
It is giving all of the cozy vibes.
This cake is gluten free and can easily be made dairy free and egg free also.
You get a taste of fresh apples in every bite!
This cake is perfect for dessert or a sweet snack.
Equipment Needed
All you need for this recipe is an 8×8 baking dish, mixing bowl and small bowl to mix the apple filling.
Ingredients Needed
Vanilla Cake Mix: I used Simple Mills Vanilla Cake Mix for this because it is gluten free, dairy free and can be made egg free. Feel free to use any vanilla cake mix that works with your dietary needs. Using a cake mix cuts down on so much time and makes this a super easy treat to throw together!
Fresh Apples: I love using honey crisp apples in my fall recipes! Any variety of apples would work here. Feel free to experiment with granny smith, gala, red delicious and more. You could even try a mix of different kinds of apples!
Oil: I used olive oil for this recipe. I love using olive oil in my baking! If you prefer to use a different oil, avocado oil and coconut oil are my favorite cleaner options.
Sugar: I used coconut sugar in this recipe because it has a lower glycemic index and I love the flavor of it. You can also just use regular sugar as well!
Binder: I followed the instructions on the box, which calls for 3 eggs. I am egg free, so I used applesauce instead of eggs. If you want to use eggs, I would recommend using 2 eggs and 1/4 cup applesauce, so that you get more of an apple flavor throughout the cake. If you are egg free, you are going to want to use 3/4 cup of applesauce (1 egg= 1/4 cup of applesauce).
Vanilla Extract: I love the flavor that vanilla extract adds into baked goods. If you have issues with histamine, I would recommend finding vanilla extract that is non-alcoholic.
Frosting: I used a store bought vanilla frosting here to make this recipe quick and easy! Feel free to make your own though if you desire.
Spice: Feel free to use cinnamon here! I used cardamom because it is lower in histamine than cinnamon and I follow a lower histamine diet.
Water: I like to use filtered water in my baked goods!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 325ºF.
Step 2: Combine water, 1 tbsp vanilla, oil and binder (eggs, applesauce or eggs and applesauce) in a bowl.
Step 3: Add in cake mix.
Step 4: Make the apple filling by mixing apples, coconut sugar, cinnamon and 1 tbsp vanilla.
Step 5: Pour half of the cake batter into the greased 8×8 baking dish. You can grease the baking dish with oil or butter. Alternatively, for easy clean up you can line it with parchment paper.
Step 6: Add the apple mixture on top.
Step 7: Add the remaining batter on top of the apples and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean when you stick it in the center of the cake.
Step 8: Wait until the cake is completely cooled and then frost with vanilla frosting.
Step 9: Cut into squares and enjoy!
Storage
Feel free to store this gluten free apple cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it! The best way to freeze this cake is putting pieces of parchment paper in between each slice.
Recipe FAQ
How do you make sure your gluten free cake isn’t dry?
I love this gluten free apple cake because it is moist! The eggs and/or applesauce along with the apples provide plenty of moisture. I also love using cake mix here because it is a great way to know that it will turn out well!
Which gluten free cake mix is best for this cake?
I love using Simple Mills Vanilla Cake Mix. It has great texture and flavor and always turns out perfectly! Feel free to use any vanilla cake mix you have on hand or find at the store though!
How small should the apples be chopped?
I like to chop the apples into 1/4 inch cubes.
Do I need to peel the apples?
You do not need to peel the apples! Once the peel is removed you will lose a lot of the apple’s nutritional value. However, if you would like to peel them feel free to do so!
Can I freeze this apple cake?
The best way to freeze this cake is putting pieces of parchment paper in between each slice.
Can I make this cake nut free?
Yes, you can make this cake nut free by using a nut free cake mix.
Related Recipes
Be sure to try these gluten free dessert recipes next:
If you make this harvest bowl recipe, I would really appreciate a review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or Tik Tok.
Gluten Free Apple Cake
Equipment
- 1 baking dish (8×8 baking dish)
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 small bowl
- 1 spoon or fork
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (I used Simple Mill's Vanilla Cake Mix.)
- 1/3 cup oil (I used olive oil. Feel free to use any oil here!)
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tbsp vanilla
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 2 apples (I love using honey crisp!)
- 1/2 cup sugar (I used coconut sugar but feel free to use any kind of sugar!)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon (I used cardamom for a lower histamine option!)
- 1 container vanilla frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ºF.
- Combine water, 1 tbsp vanilla, oil and binder (eggs, applesauce or eggs and applesauce) in a bowl.
- Add in cake mix.
- Make the apple filling by mixing apples, coconut sugar, cinnamon and 1 tbsp vanilla.
- Pour half of the cake batter into the greased 8×8 baking dish. You can grease the baking dish with oil or butter. Alternatively, for easy clean up you can line it with parchment paper.
- Add the apple mixture on top.
- Add the remaining batter on top of the apples and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean when you stick it in the center of the cake.
- Wait until the cake is completely cooled and then frost with vanilla frosting.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
These are so delicious!!