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    Home » Popular » Baking

    October 24, 2018 Baking

    Teresa’s Vegan Apple Cake

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Teresa's Vegan Apple Cake-A super soft apple cake infused with cinnamon and ginger flavors. A healthier cake perfect for afternoon tea or for the upcoming holidays.

    When the temperatures drop I only dream of apple desserts. And sometimes pumpkin desserts. But mostly apple desserts. Like this Teresa's Vegan Apple Cake. You may be wondering how I could dream of something that is vegan. It's one of my favorite cakes!!

    overhead image of teresa's vegan apple cake on a white and yellow plate

    My mother-in-law Teresa’s apple cake is amazing! I used to make it often because we all love it. It’s FULL of butter and lots of eggs. I lightened it up by veganizing it.

    I am not sure Teresa would be thrilled with this version and certainly would ask me why I’m baking without butter. Luckily, she doesn’t read my blog.

    Teresa's Vegan Apple Cake is a moist cake full of chunks of apples soaked in limoncello, cinnamon, and ginger…this cake is is a keeper!

    overhead image of vegan apple cake

    I make an apple cake at least once a week when it is apple season.

    How do you make a super soft apple cake?

    • I like to soak the apples in the spices and the lemon juice (or Limoncello).
    • Cooking the apples in this spice mixture for a few minutes really softens up the apples.
    • I find that using coconut milk really makes the cake more moist and soft.
    • I used Granny Smith apples for this Vegan Apple Cake, but you could also use Cortlands, Empire, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp. Pink Lady apples will also work fine but will add extra tartness to the cake

    overhead image of slice of teresas vegan apple cake

    original story (and the last 2 photos) from my post on 10/1/11

    Photographing food has been more challenging than I imagined it would be. I feel I’ve made some progress this past year; especially considering the occasional obstacles I sometimes have to 

    You know, it’s not easy “posing” a warm cake that just popped out of the oven. The temptation to just stick a fork in it and eat the whole thing is something fierce! It’s especially awful when you are trying to photograph said cake on an empty stomach. I take deep breaths and remind myself to just do the job. Take the photo. Quickly!

    overhead image of a slice of cake

    The quicker I can get a decent shot, the quicker I can have that first bite. But you see, the problem isn’t actually holding myself back from attacking the cake. It’s my kids. And my son has sneaky little hands.

    For example, just yesterday I took my gorgeous little apple cake outside to photograph on a cloudy day. He followed me with some of his cars on the pretense of playing outside in the fresh air. Me, “Baby, get away from the cake. Take a step back. I MEAN it!” My son, “Ok mommy. I will just sit in the chair and watch you with my cars.”

    He’s good. He’s really good! When I turn around to grab something for the photo, he’s already jumped up from the chair and messed with my cake.

    I can’t blame him.

    He grabbed a piece of apple from the slice and then told me to take pictures of his cars.
    Flustered and totally distracted, I have to photograph him and his cars and suddenly the apple cake photos are just not as important any more.

    overhead image of a slice of apple cake

    I can’t say no to his little smile.

    Vegan apple cake variations

    • Feel free to change the coconut milk to your own favorite dairy free milk
    • Use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil
    • If you don't have Limoncello, use fresh squeezed lemon juice or orange juice
    • You could replace the eggs with your favorite egg replacer instead of using flax eggs

    Some other apple desserts to enjoy:

    • Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
    • Sourdough Discard Apple Cake
    • Salted Caramel Apple Cake
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Teresa's Vegan Apple Cake

    My mother-in-law Teresa’s apple cake is amazing!I made a vegan version of her typical Italian apple cake. A moist cake full of chunks of apples soaked in limoncello, cinnamon, and ginger…this cake is a keeper! Perfect for breakfast, snack time or as a special dessert.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time50 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Dessert
    Keyword: apple, cake, vegan
    Servings: 1 9-Inch Round Springform Pan
    Author: Lora

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and, and cut into chunks
    • 1 Tablespoon of Limoncello or fresh lemon juice
    • juice and rind of one large lemon use organic if you can
    • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons ginger
    • 5 tablespoons light brown sugar
    • 2 cups sifted flour
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 6 teaspoons Ener-G egg replacer plus 8 tablespoons warm water to equal 4 eggs
    • 1 cup oil
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup coconut milk
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round spring form pan (or a tube pan). Place the apple chunks in a large bowl. Add the Limoncello (or just lemon juice), cinnamon, ginger, brown sugar, juice and rind of lemon; stir together. (* I used a spoonful of Teresa’s ground Calabrese lemons from her limoncello production. It’s a magical little jar of ground lemons rinds soaked in vodka.)
    • Sauté’ the apples in a skillet on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes. The apples will start to get tender. The spices and sugar will melt around the apples and it will be hard not to eat that mixture right out of the pan! Set the pan aside and let it cool for a few minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
    • In a small bowl, add the coconut milk and apple cider vinegar. Mix together and let sit while you prep the other ingredients. In another large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt. In a small bowl, mix together the Ener-g egg replacer and the warm water.
    • Add the Ener-g egg replacer (or eggs), the oil, sugar, and vanilla to the coconut milk/apple cider mixture and stir together until all combined.
    • Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients a little at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix well after you add each portion of the dry ingredients.
    • Pour half of the batter into your prepared tube pan. Spread 1/2 of the apple chunks evenly around the batter. Spread on top of the apples the rest of the cake batter and then spread on top of the batter the rest of the apple chunks.
    • Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Depending on the size of your tube pan and your oven, check the cake after 30 minutes.
    • When the cake cools, carefully invert it onto your serving plate. Serve warm with powdered sugar sprinkled on top or a scoop of your favorite ice-cream.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!
    « Rosemary and Caramelized Onion Focaccia (Vegan)
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Deanna - Teaspoon of Spice says

      October 01, 2011 at 3:25 pm

      Ahhh, nothing like a good apple cake in the fall. And I love your little man in the photos (the cars are a nice prop 🙂

      Reply
    2. The Vanilla Bean Baker says

      October 01, 2011 at 4:15 pm

      That cake is gorgeous! I actually love the candid shots of Luca, our families are really the reason we love to bake and cook isn't it 😉

      Reply
    3. Nisrine says

      October 01, 2011 at 5:59 pm

      Such a pretty cake. I'm loving all the apple goodness. Such a wonderful dessert for fall.

      Reply
    4. Christine's Pantry says

      October 01, 2011 at 8:56 pm

      This cake is beautiful. Love your photos.

      Reply
    5. Cher says

      October 01, 2011 at 9:18 pm

      It is hard to say no to the "little people" when it comes to food...
      Stunning cake - love the vegan touch.

      Reply
    6. Junia says

      October 01, 2011 at 10:14 pm

      whoohoo for vegan baking!!! i LOVE this cake recipe, since it doesn't have butter or eggs! i want to try making this gluten free! 😀 welcome to the #applelove bloghop party as a hostess :). haha and i agree, photographing is NOT easy when you are hungry. i usually have my puppy lingering by...watching my food. haha. have a great day Lora.

      Reply
    7. Happy When Not Hungry says

      October 01, 2011 at 10:30 pm

      How beautiful! This is perfect for the fall. Yum!

      Reply
    8. Becky says

      October 02, 2011 at 1:20 am

      Your apple cake is gorgeous, amd I love the apples in the lemoncello:) Luca is so cute!

      Reply
    9. Reeni says

      October 02, 2011 at 1:23 am

      Your apple cake looks so incredibly scrumptious Lora! You're getting so good at vegan baking. And your son is so cute - I don't blame him one bit for sneaking a nibble! xoxo

      Reply
    10. Courtney says

      October 02, 2011 at 1:26 am

      Oh how I love apples and cake - perfect for this fall weather 🙂

      Reply
    11. Angie's Recipes says

      October 02, 2011 at 4:29 am

      What a beautiful apple cake! Perfect for the season.

      Reply
    12. Baker Street says

      October 02, 2011 at 10:02 am

      Lovely Lora! Cake looks gorgeous! Perfect for fall. If I could I would have come over right now for my share!

      Reply
    13. Beth Michelle says

      October 02, 2011 at 1:14 pm

      Your apple cake looks amazing and I cant blame Luca for trying to sneak a piece!

      Reply
    14. Vibey @ Yumbo McGillicutty says

      October 02, 2011 at 1:25 pm

      Vegan or no - that looks absolutely divine.

      Reply
    15. Foodiva says

      October 02, 2011 at 1:55 pm

      Teresa's cake still looks really, really good, even without the butter. I love the warm spices in there, such a perfect dessert for fall. And that Luca of yours is so adorable, I'd forget about any cake too if he was anywhere around me!

      Reply
    16. EA-The Spicy RD says

      October 02, 2011 at 3:47 pm

      Mmmm....this cake sounds so yummy! Love the photo with the car in it, and your little taster looks pretty cute too! I took my apple crisp outside to take pictures, and got one photo with my dogs snout in it :-). #applelove desserts are hard to resist!

      Reply
    17. kita says

      October 03, 2011 at 3:17 am

      What an awesome adaptation - and you are lucky she doesn't read this, lol! I always have to watch what I say - Handsomes sister, father AND uncle read mine! (No pressure!!!). This apple cake totally looks sneak a bite worthy - and really, its rather adorable of your little man to do just so!

      Reply
    18. Anonymous says

      October 03, 2011 at 3:25 am

      What a sweet story Lora, your son is a little stinker, as we would say in my family. 🙂 The cake looks fabulous; nice and light and moist. Yum!

      Reply
    19. Jamie says

      October 03, 2011 at 9:38 am

      Adorable and I love the pics! Love them! Especially the one with Luca peeking in. And love this cake. Wowee! We love apple cakes and apple desserts so I just have to try this yummy one!

      Reply
    20. SMITH BITES says

      October 03, 2011 at 1:02 pm

      Lora, i just LOVE this . . . yes, Teresa's cake is absolutely FABULOUS . . . but you are correct . . . one smile, one little car . . . one little hand . . . and suddenly the cake isn't important anymore . . .

      Reply
    21. Champa says

      October 03, 2011 at 9:49 pm

      I can so relate to you with kids and food photography. My younger one takes the props and moves them and plays with them. But she is my helper too. The moment I start putting plate on the table, she gets me the tripod, bouncing foam boxes. But 'are you done?' can I eat it now? kills me sometimes. Very nice cake.

      Reply
    22. Mari says

      October 03, 2011 at 9:50 pm

      I can't blame Luca either, this cake looks so delicious, it is irresistible. I wish I could taste it right this moment. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Hugs

      Reply
    23. Lizzy says

      October 04, 2011 at 12:21 am

      Your MIL has the BEST recipes. You can't blame Luca for sneaking an apple (I do that, too)...he has such a sweet face 🙂 I baked pumpkin muffins today, but I'll link up as soon as I make something with apples~

      Have a great week, Lora! xo

      Reply
    24. Richa says

      October 04, 2011 at 3:04 am

      wow.. very nicely baked cake! i have to worry about my small props with a dog in the house.. i mean imagine him eating up a chili or a small spoon:)

      Richa @ Hobby And More Food Blog

      Reply
    25. Salome says

      October 04, 2011 at 1:43 pm

      It looks gorgeous and yummy, what a sweet bloghop this month! Besos

      Reply
    26. Emily Malloy says

      October 04, 2011 at 2:24 pm

      yummmm!!!

      Reply
    27. Elizabeth @Mango_Queen says

      October 04, 2011 at 7:33 pm

      Oh my this Apple Cake is so tempting! I love the topping! Gorgeous pics! Glad to bake along with you on this BlogHop!

      Reply
    28. Cookin' Canuck says

      October 05, 2011 at 5:16 pm

      This apple bloghop is such a fun idea! And that cake - not that just screams "autumn". I know what you mean about getting the perfect shot while the family is hungrily waiting for a bite - it's definitely a challenge.

      Reply
    29. Bestfoodies says

      October 05, 2011 at 7:34 pm

      Love all the apple recipes. I am making Taffy Apple Salad today, tastes just like a caramel apple. I linked an apple cake to your site, but has the wrong link..its going to my homepage instead of the apple cake 🙁 I don't know how to redirect it...I am sorry

      Reply
    30. Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagel says

      October 09, 2011 at 2:39 pm

      Apple cakes are my favorite! I would gladly eat this entire cake for you. Love the idea of an apple bloghop, how fun! 🙂

      Reply
      • Jen says

        November 12, 2022 at 11:11 am

        5 stars
        This was, by far, the best apple cake I have ever had/made.

      • Lora says

        November 13, 2022 at 7:47 am

        Hi Jen-Thank you for taking the time to let me know how much you loved the apple cake! Happy Baking! XX

    31. Still Served Warm says

      February 23, 2012 at 4:57 pm

      It really looks delicious.... or I should say mouthwatering!

      Reply
    32. mundo says

      September 15, 2012 at 11:06 pm

      I see 2 lbs of apples listed twice in this recipe. Is it 2 lbs or 4 lbs? Excited to try the recipe out! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Savoring Italy says

        September 18, 2012 at 12:12 am

        Hi -it's 2lbs and it's now adjusted. Happy you're trying this yummy vegan cake;)Thank you:)

    33. Anonymous says

      September 19, 2012 at 2:19 am

      Making this tonight!! Looks amazing! 🙂 Just one little question-- the ingredients say baking powder, but the instructions say baking soda. Which one is it, really? lol Going with powder and hope it's the one! :p

      Reply
      • Savoring Italy says

        September 20, 2012 at 12:21 am

        Yes-it's powder and I changed that:)happy baking!

      • Anonymous says

        September 22, 2012 at 6:35 pm

        Thank you! It was FABULOUS, by the way. Even my husband (who isn't really into "apple" anything) said it was amazing. 🙂

    34. montana1 says

      September 27, 2012 at 7:42 pm

      When you say coconut milk, are you talking about regular or light coconut milk in a can or something like So Delicious coconut milk?

      Reply

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    Welcome to our Italian kitchen! We are Lora and Gabriella, the mother-daughter team behind Savoring Italy. With more than 30+ years of experience in the kitchen, Lora has had a great advantage – receiving guidance from both her husband who is an executive chef/restaurant owner and her mother who is a renowned private chef. 

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