Are you ready for the ultimate fall treat? If you love the sweet, warm aroma of cinnamon and apples filling your kitchen, then this Apple Streusel Snacking Cake is about to become your new favorite recipe! It’s gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and loaded with all the delicious fall flavors you crave. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack with tea or coffee, this cake is not only tasty but also easy to make. Plus, it freezes wonderfully, so you can enjoy it anytime you want a comforting bite.
Method
First, preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper. This will ensure the cake doesn’t stick to the pan and is easy to remove once baked. Set the pan aside as you prepare the ingredients.
Next, in a small bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil. Make sure the coconut oil has cooled before adding it to the mix to prevent cooking the eggs. Once these are well combined, set the bowl aside.
In a larger bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir them together thoroughly so that the baking soda and spices are evenly distributed throughout the almond flour.
Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix everything together well, making sure there are no dry spots left in the batter. Once it’s fully combined, gently fold in the chopped apple pieces. I used Honeycrisp apples because they provide a sweet-tart flavor that works wonderfully in this cake, but Gala apples are also a great choice if you prefer something sweeter.
After the batter is ready, transfer it into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly so that it covers the bottom of the pan.
For the streusel topping, take a small bowl and mix the almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans. Add the melted butter or coconut oil and stir until it forms a crumbly, cohesive topping. Sprinkle this streusel mixture evenly over the cake batter in the baking dish. The topping will create a deliciously crunchy, caramelized layer as it bakes.
Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes to allow the cake to cook through. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil and bake for another 10-12 minutes without it, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. This will ensure that the cake is fully baked and the streusel is golden brown.
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely. It’s important to let the cake cool down to room temperature before serving, as it will make it easier to cut into squares.
If you decide to make the optional icing, simply whisk together the powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Once the cake is fully cooled, drizzle the icing over the top of the cake. This adds an extra touch of sweetness and flavor that perfectly complements the spiced apples and streusel.
Finally, cut the cake into 12 equal squares, serve, and enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- 8×8 baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls (small and large)
- Whisk
- Spoon or spatula for mixing
- Toothpick (for testing doneness)
- Small bowl for icing (optional)
Apple Streusel Snacking Cake: A Fall Favorite!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings15
minutes42
minutes57
minutesIngredients
Cake:
2 eggs
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled (or avocado oil)
2 cups almond flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 large apple, chopped into small pieces (I used Honeycrisp, but Gala works great too – about 1 cup)
Streusel Topping:
3/4 cup almond flour
1/2 cup coconut sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter or coconut oil
Optional Icing:
3/4 cup monkfruit powdered sugar (I used @lakanto, but regular powdered sugar works too)
2-3 tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (eggs, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and coconut oil). In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and sea salt).
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well until fully combined. - Gently fold in the chopped apple pieces.
Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
For the streusel topping, mix together almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans in a small bowl. Add melted butter or coconut oil and stir to combine.
Evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter in the baking dish. - Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely.
If you’re making the optional icing, whisk together powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Drizzle it over the cooled cake.
Cut the cake into 12 squares, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure your coconut oil is melted and cooled before adding it to the batter. If it’s too hot, it could cook the eggs and affect the texture of your cake.
- When adding the streusel topping, be sure to evenly distribute it so every bite has that delicious, crunchy finish.
- If you’re using the optional icing, be sure to wait until the cake has cooled completely before drizzling it on, so it doesn’t melt.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy a slice of this Apple Streusel Snacking Cake with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a cozy fall breakfast.
- Serve it as a delicious dessert after dinner.
- Perfect for a mid-afternoon snack when you need a little something sweet and satisfying.
- You can even freeze the slices and thaw them whenever you’re in the mood for a sweet treat!
Fun Fact
Did you know that the Honeycrisp apple, which I used in this recipe, was developed in Minnesota in the 1980s? It’s known for its super crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor, making it perfect for baking!
Conclusion
This Apple Streusel Snacking Cake is the epitome of fall in a bite—soft, spiced, and sweet with that irresistible streusel topping. Whether you’re having it as a snack, dessert, or breakfast, it’s sure to bring cozy vibes to your kitchen. Plus, with its gluten-free and refined sugar-free ingredients, you can indulge without any guilt. Bake it, enjoy it, and share it with those you love!
