This healthy applesauce cake is naturally sweet and has a perfectly fluffy texture. It makes an easy breakfast or after-school snack!
This applesauce snack cake is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. It’s not super-sweet, so it’s an easy option to grab on the go. Top it with frosting, or enjoy it straight from the pan!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This healthy cake recipe uses oat flour instead of all-purpose flour. (Oat flour is simply oats that have been ground into flour; you can make oat flour at home with a blender.) This keeps it gluten-free without using refined flour.
It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup, but honey can also work as a swap. Eggs add protein and moisture, and give this cake its fluffy texture.
Detoxinista Tip
I initially tested this recipe with two eggs and didn’t get the fluffy texture I wanted. Adding an extra egg did the trick! Using only two eggs will still “work,” but the texture will be better if you follow the recipe as written.
Paired with ground cinnamon, it has a warm spice that’s perfect for the Fall and Winter months. You can fold in any extras you love, such as diced apple, walnuts, or raisins.
I use avocado oil here, but olive or any other neutral oil will work. (For the best texture, don’t use melted coconut oil or butter; they will cause the cake to firm up when cool.) If you keep canola or vegetable oil in your pantry, those options will also work.
How to Make Applesauce Cake
Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. To hold the parchment paper in place, lightly spritz the pan with cooking spray first. (A thin layer of oil will make the parchment paper stick!)
Pro Tip: Use a metal pan for the most even cooking results. (Glass or ceramic pans may require an additional few minutes of baking time.)
In a large bowl, combine:
- 1 1/4 cups oat flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Whisk the dry ingredients until no clumps are visible.
Next, add the wet ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Stir until well mixed.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Add a few chopped walnuts or a chopped apple on top, if you like. (This is optional!)
Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes or until the center of the cake has risen and feels firm to a light touch. You can also test it with a toothpick to make sure it comes out clean after being inserted in the center of the cake.
Let the cake cool for at least 1 hour in the pan. Then, it’s ready to slice and serve. Serve as an easy breakfast or snack, or top it with cream cheese frosting for more of a dessert.
Storage Tip
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Looking for more healthy cake recipes? Try Chocolate Almond Flour Cake, Healthy Birthday Cake, or Banana Mug Cake for more ideas.
- 1 ¼ cups oat flour (see notes)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional topping)
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Preheat the oven to 350ºF and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Press a piece of parchment paper into the bottom of the pan for easier clean up. (Tip: A metal pan will give you better baking results than a glass or ceramic pan.)
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In a large bowl, combine the oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk well to break up any clumps. Add in the applesauce, eggs, maple syrup, avocado oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk again until smooth.
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Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the top, if you like. (Chopped apple would also be nice!) Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes, or until the center feels firm to the touch.
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Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Then slice it into 16 squares and serve. Top with cream cheese frosting, if desired. (Recipe in notes) Leftover cake can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. The top of the cake may become sticky if you leave it out at room temperature for a while. (This is normal!)
Gluten-Free Note: Oats are naturally gluten-free but they can be contaminated during processing. Buy a package that says “certified gluten free” if needed. To make your own oat flour, blend rolled oats in a dry blender until they have a flourlike texture. (You could also blend the batter in the blender!)
Cream Cheese Frosting: Make a healthier cream cheese frosting by combining 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of greek yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of honey. You can also add a 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, if you like. Mix with an electric
Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 132mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
If you try this applesauce cake recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
