A perfect cake to celebrate with everyone! This cake is easily altered to become a vegan treat. With the use of coconut flour, pumpkin and apples, there is flavor bursting from every corner of the pan!
The dessert is not only delicious; it is also healthy- packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Keep the skin on the apples, this will provide more fiber!
Instead of buying a simple can of apple pie filling, make your own. Depending on the time of year, use fresh or canned pumpkin. Keep the recipe fresh, and delicious. 
Gluten Free Apple Pumpkin Cake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
Description
A gluten free dessert that can easily become a vegan treat. This dessert is packed full of flavor, and a healthier option when reaching for a sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples diced
- 3/4 cup (180g) unsalted butter (use Earth Balance for vegan version)
- 1 cup (180g) brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 tsp (2.5mL) cardamom
- 1 tsp (4.9mL) cinnamon
- 2 tbsp (15g) cornstarch (use 2-3 tsp xanthum gum for vegan version)
- 2 cups (240g) gluten free flour (I used - 1 cup coconut flour, 1/2 cup arrowroot flour, 1/2 tapioca flour)
- 1 cup (200g) sugar
- 1 tsp (4.9mL) baking powder
- 1 tsp (4.9mL) baking soda
- 1/2 (2.5mL) tsp salt
- 1 cup (240g) pumpkin
- 3/4 cup (180mL) canola oil
- For icing
- 3 cups (300g) powdered sugar
- 8 tbsp (120mL) almond milk
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 1 tbsp (15mL) pumpkin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 9 x 13 pan with butter, and lightly flour.
- In sauce pan, on medium heat, cook apples, butter, brown sugar together until softened. Add cardamom, and cinnamon. In small bowl mix together cornstarch and 2 tbsp water, add into cooked apples. Turn sauce pan down to simmer, let sauce thicken.
- In medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In large bowl, mix together sugar, pumpkin, and oil. Add in cooked apples and mix well.
- Mix together wet ingredients with dry ingredients.
- Spread out evenly in greased pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes depending on oven. Let cake cool.
- In small bowl, mix together powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, almond milk, and pumpkin. Spread out over cake.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- When using a gluten free flour, use 3-4 different flours in the dessert.
- Vanilla sugar is a packet of vanilla flavored sugar in the baking isle.
- Any apple will work in the recipe, but granny smith would be the best option for flavor.
- Instead of cardamom you can use nutmeg.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make this cake vegan?
The article notes the cake is easily altered for vegans: replace the 3/4 cup (180 g) of unsalted butter with Earth Balance, and swap the 2 tbsp of cornstarch for 2–3 tsp of xanthan gum to bind the batter. All other ingredients are already plant-based.
Why does this recipe use a blend of three gluten-free flours?
The notes explain that when using gluten-free flour you should use 3–4 different flours together. This recipe combines 1 cup coconut flour, 1/2 cup arrowroot flour, and 1/2 cup tapioca flour — each contributes different binding and texture properties that together approximate the structure wheat flour provides.
Should I peel the apples?
The article specifically says to keep the skin on the apples to add more fiber to the dessert. The notes also recommend Granny Smith apples for the best flavor, though the recipe states any apple will work.
What is vanilla sugar and where do I find it?
The notes describe vanilla sugar as a packet of vanilla-flavored sugar found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. It is used in the icing alongside 3 cups of powdered sugar, 8 tbsp of almond milk, and 1 tbsp of pumpkin.
Thank you for posting this recipe hope in the. Future you will have many more t
Thanks. Bernie