This easy vegan apple spice cake is soft, moist, and filled with fresh apples and cozy cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Finished with a smooth dairy-free cream cheese frosting, it is a delicious dessert for fall gatherings, holiday dinners, birthdays, or an everyday sweet treat.
You do not need eggs, dairy milk, or traditional butter to make a flavorful apple cake. Applesauce helps keep the crumb tender, while fresh apple pieces add natural sweetness and a pleasant texture. The simple plant-based frosting provides a creamy, slightly tangy finish that complements the warm spices.
Why You Will Love This Vegan Apple Spice Cake
- Moist and tender: Applesauce, plant-based milk, and oil help create a soft cake without eggs or dairy.
- Full of warm spices: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a touch of cloves give every slice a comforting flavor.
- Easy to prepare: You can mix the batter with basic kitchen equipment and everyday ingredients.
- Completely vegan: The cake and frosting use plant-based ingredients.
- Perfect for sharing: This single-layer cake is easy to slice and serve at family gatherings or holiday celebrations.
Ingredients You Will Need
For the Apple Spice Cake
- 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (150 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 g) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened plant-based milk, such as almond or soy milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) neutral vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) peeled or unpeeled apples, cored and diced into small pieces
For the Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces (226 g) dairy-free cream cheese, softened but still cool
- 1/4 cup (56 g) vegan butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
Optional Decoration
- A light sprinkle of ground cinnamon
- Finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts
- Thin apple slices for serving
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Apples: Choose firm apples that hold their shape during baking, such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith. A combination of sweet and tart apples creates a balanced flavor.
Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce when possible. It adds moisture and apple flavor without making the cake excessively sweet.
Plant-based milk: Unsweetened almond or soy milk works well. Check the packaging to make sure the product is vegan.
Apple cider vinegar: Mixing vinegar with plant milk creates a simple vegan buttermilk-style mixture. It also helps the baking soda react.
Vegan cream cheese: Use a dairy-free product. Regular cream cheese would make the frosting non-vegan.
Flour: All-purpose flour provides a reliable texture. If you need a gluten-free version, use a suitable gluten-free baking blend designed to replace all-purpose flour. The texture may vary.
How to Make Vegan Apple Spice Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper if desired. This makes the cake easier to remove after cooling.
Step 2: Mix the Plant-Based Buttermilk
Combine the plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Let the mixture stand for about 5 minutes while you prepare the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps distribute the leavening agents and spices evenly throughout the cake.
Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and prepared plant-based milk mixture until well combined.
Step 5: Make the Cake Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until no large patches of dry flour remain. Avoid overmixing, because excessive mixing can make the cake dense.
Fold in the diced apples until they are distributed throughout the batter.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for approximately 35–42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Ovens vary, so begin checking the cake near the lower end of the baking time. If the top browns too quickly before the center is done, loosely cover it with foil.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack if practical. Allow it to cool completely before adding the frosting. Frosting a warm cake can cause the topping to melt and slide off.
How to Make Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
- Place the dairy-free cream cheese and softened vegan butter in a mixing bowl.
- Beat until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the vanilla extract and optional lemon juice.
- Gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- If the frosting feels too soft, refrigerate it for 15–30 minutes before using it.
Spread the frosting over the completely cooled cake. Finish with a light dusting of cinnamon or chopped nuts if desired.
Tips for the Best Vegan Apple Spice Cake
- Measure flour carefully: Too much flour can make the cake dry. For the most consistent result, weigh it with a kitchen scale.
- Cut apples into small pieces: Small, evenly sized pieces distribute better and cook more consistently.
- Do not overmix: Stir only until the ingredients are combined.
- Check the center: The edges may finish baking before the middle. Use a toothpick to check doneness.
- Cool before frosting: This helps the dairy-free frosting maintain its texture.
- Choose a suitable vegan cream cheese: Some brands are softer than others, so chill the frosting if necessary.
Easy Variations
Vegan Apple Walnut Cake
Fold 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for a little crunch. Check that your guests can eat nuts before serving.
Extra Cinnamon Apple Cake
Add another 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon if you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor. Keep the other spice quantities balanced so that the cloves and nutmeg do not overpower the apples.
Vegan Apple Spice Cupcakes
Divide the batter among lined muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Begin checking for doneness after approximately 18–24 minutes, adjusting the time to your oven and cupcake size.
Gluten-Free Version
Use a gluten-free all-purpose baking blend that is intended as a one-to-one replacement. The cake may need a slightly different baking time, so check the center carefully before removing it from the oven.
How to Store Vegan Apple Spice Cake
Because the cake has a cream cheese-style frosting, store leftovers covered in the refrigerator. For best quality, enjoy within 3–4 days, following the storage instructions on your dairy-free cream cheese packaging.
For serving, let a slice sit at room temperature briefly so the cake softens slightly. Do not leave the frosted cake at room temperature for extended periods.
To freeze the unfrosted cake, let it cool completely, wrap it well, and freeze for up to 2 months for best quality. Thaw it in the refrigerator or at room temperature while still wrapped, then prepare and add the frosting before serving.
What to Serve with Vegan Apple Spice Cake
- A cup of hot coffee or black tea
- Chai tea with warming spices
- Unsweetened almond milk or oat milk
- A small drizzle of vegan caramel sauce
- Fresh apple slices or toasted pecans on the side
Frequently Asked Questions
Is apple spice cake vegan?
This recipe is vegan when you use plant-based milk, dairy-free cream cheese, vegan butter, and other ingredients without animal-derived additives. Check product labels when needed.
Can I make this vegan apple cake without applesauce?
Applesauce contributes moisture and helps bind the batter. Replacing it may change the texture, so use a tested alternative rather than simply leaving it out.
What are the best apples for apple spice cake?
Firm apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith are good options. Sweet apples give a mellow flavor, while tart apples add contrast to the brown sugar and frosting.
Why did my vegan apple cake turn out dense?
Common reasons include measuring too much flour, overmixing the batter, using old baking soda or baking powder, or removing the cake before the center is fully baked. Measure carefully and check that your leavening agents are fresh.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the cake a day ahead, cool it completely, and store it covered. Prepare the frosting and decorate the cake closer to serving time, or refrigerate the frosted cake in a covered container.
Does vegan cream cheese frosting need refrigeration?
Yes. Treat the frosting as a perishable food and refrigerate the frosted cake. Follow the storage guidance provided by the manufacturer of your dairy-free cream cheese.
Can I use regular cream cheese?
You can, but the cake would no longer be fully vegan. For a vegan recipe, use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
Final Thoughts
This easy vegan apple spice cake combines tender cake, fresh apple pieces, and warming spices with a creamy dairy-free frosting. It is a lovely choice for fall baking, holiday desserts, or whenever you want a homemade treat without eggs or dairy.
Serve each slice with coffee or tea, and add a little cinnamon or chopped pecans for a simple finishing touch. If you make this recipe, share how it turned out and which apples you used.
