Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (2024)

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This gluten free apple cake is an incredibly creamy cake full of apple flavor! If you have been looking for a show-stopper cake with bakery-quality flavors, look no further than this delicious gluten free apple kuchen.

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (1)

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When my husband saw an exciting recipe for an apple cake in the Wall Street Journal, he cut out the page from the newspaper and taped the recipe to my computer. He knows I love a challenge, so he asked if I could make this wheat-free and celiac-safe.

The author had adapted a recipe by Aleksandra Crapanzano from “The Arrows Cookbook” by Clark and Frasier and Mark Gaier. The cookbook isn’t gluten free, but some of the recipes look like they could convert to gluten free.

This recipe has been one of my blog’s most popular dessert recipes, and once you make it, you will quickly understand why. This cake is made with the flavor and texture of a German Apfelkuchen, aka a kuchen cake. I also have a delicious Gluten Free Peach Kuchen recipe if you love a custard-style cake.

And, if you love apples as much as we do, I have lots of delicious gluten free apple desserts just waiting to be made!!

Reader Rave

I am not a good cook. I expected this recipe to be way beyond my capabilities. To my amazement and joy, this beautiful apple cake turned out perfect. It looks great…I even took pics to send to my sister, and the taste is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and perfect, easy-to-follow instructions.” Paula P., Blog comment

Allergen Information:

This cake is gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. I have not tested any dairy-free alternatives in this recipe.

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Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (2)

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Flour, 22-ounce 4 pack

This is a great gluten-free flour blend for making cookies, muffins, and biscuits. For best results, be sure to let the batter sit for 15-20 minutes before baking. Do not use this blend for yeast recipes.

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Ingredient Notes:

  • Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe with two gluten-free flour blends. This recipe works well with Authentic Foods Multiblend GF Flour and Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 GF Flour.
  • Xanthan Gum – If your flour blend does NOT have xanthan or guar gum added, add ¾ teaspoon to your dry ingredients.
  • Sugar – I used cane sugar.
  • Baking Powder – Use aluminum-free baking powder.
  • Eggs – Size large.
  • Vanilla Extract – I recommend using pure vanilla extract.
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Milk – Note I have not tested dairy-free alternatives.
  • Heavy Cream – Do not use half and half.
  • Butter – Unsalted butter.

Click here to see my gluten free cake recipes on this blog. I have so many fun cake recipes to try!

Tips For Sucess

1. I have tested a couple of types of apples in this apple cake recipe. One sweeter and one more tart. I really liked the tart apple as it gave some flavor depth to this cake.
2. I made this recipe in a cake pan, but I highly encourage using a 10″ springform pan. Because of the liquids in this cake, it can boil over a cake pan.

Are you ready to get started? You may also love this gluten free caramel apple cake recipe or this gluten free French apple cake recipe a try!

How To Make A Gluten Free Apple Kuchen:

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (3)

Step 1: Add the dry ingredients and whisk to blend them in a large mixing bowl.

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (4)

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a smaller bowl and mix well.

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Step 3: Slice up your apples into thin slices. It is optional if you prefer to remove the peels.

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Step 4: Pour your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until it is just barely mixed.

📢 Sandi says: Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. The brand of gluten-free flour you use will affect the moisture of the batter. If your cake batter is too runny, add more flour, and if it is too thick, add more liquids.
Read Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary to learn more about this.

The gluten free cake batter for this cake is very creamy, and that is before adding the cream on top before it goes into the oven.

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Step 5: Put the cake batter into a greased cake pan. Arrange the apples over the top and pour on the cream. I arranged my apples in a decorative circular pattern. Sprinkle the remaining sugar over the top.

Step 6: Bake the cake at 350º F for 45-50 minutes. The actual baking time may vary depending on the size and depth of the baking pan you use.

If you use a springform pan, make sure to put a pan or aluminum foil under the springform pan. One reader noted that the cake batter could leak from the springform pan.

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (8)

If you love fresh fruit in cakes, you may want to try this Gluten Free Plum Upside-Down Cake recipe too! If you love bakery-style cakes like this, try my Gluten Free Angel Food Cake recipe.

What are the best apples for baking?

I love to use a more tart apple for this gluten free apple cake recipe. Here are my favorite apple varieties:

  • Granny Smith
  • Jonagold
  • Braeburn
  • Gala
  • Gravenstein

These are by far the most flavorful apples for baking, and all of my apple cake recipes with fresh apples use one of these apple varieties.

Recipe FAQ:

How many chopped apples make a cup?

If you are using medium-sized apples, one apple with the peel removed, decored and chopped should equal 1 cup of apple. If you are using a small apple, the small apple should equal ½ cup of chopped apple.

Can you add chopped nuts?

This gluten free apple cake is naturally nut-free, but if you want to add chopped nuts, I recommend using pecans or walnuts.

How do you store this gluten free apple cake?

This apple cake will last 2-3 days in your refrigerator. If your family doesn’t eat it sooner, store it in an airtight container!

Reader Adaptations:

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (9)

Sandra G wrote that she used President’s Choice All Purpose Gluten Free Flour and broiled the top of the cake for 2 minutes to brown the top and caramelize the sugars on top.

More Delicious Gluten Free Cake Recipes:

  • Want more apple cake? This Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cake adds thick and creamy caramel!
  • This Gluten Free Orange Almond Flour Cake is perfect for dessert.
  • Need a fancy cake? This Gluten Free Raspberry Vanilla Bundt Cake is a pretty dessert to serve. Nobody will know it is gluten free.
  • This British dessert, Gluten Free Strawberry Lemon Bakewell, is fun to make.
  • Many also love this simple Gluten Free Apple Cider Cake.

Love This Recipe?

If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This helps others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (10)

Gluten Free Creamy Apple Cake

Sandi Gaertner

This delicious Gluten Free Creamy Apple Cake tastes like it was made in a professional bakery! If you love kuchen, a German cake, this cake is made in a very similar way.

4.87 from 72 votes

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (11)

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (12)

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (13)

Print Pin it

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Gluten Free Cake Recipes, Gluten Free Dessert Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 14 slices

Calories 285 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see note
  • 1 ½ cup cane sugar reserve ¼ cup to sprinkle on top of the cake before baking
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder Use aluminum-free.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup whole milk * see note
  • 3 large eggs
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 apples medium size, peels removed and sliced thinly

Top of the Cake Before Baking:

  • ¾ cup heavy cream

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.

  • Spray a 10 inch cake pan with coconut oil. Wash and slice your apples in thin slices. Peeling the apples is optional.

  • If you are using a cake pan, line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper. I recommend using a springform pan. Be sure to wrap the outside bottom in foil to prevent leaks in the oven.

  • In a large bowl, add sugar, vanilla, and butter and mix 3-5 minutes.

  • Beat in the eggs one at a time.

  • Sift together the flours, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.

  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until the cake batter is just barely mixed.

  • Pour the batter into the cake pan.

  • Add the sliced apples on top. I arranged my apple slices in a circular pattern.

  • Pour the cream on top of the apples.

  • Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup sugar on top of the cake.

  • Place the springform pan on a baking sheet, or wrap the bottom in tin foil just in case there is a leak in your springform pan! Bake for 45-50 minutes. The actual baking time can vary depending on the size of pan you use.

  • Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack.

Notes

  1. I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work; I just have not tested other flours.
  2. Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add ¾ teaspoon.
  3. I used milk, but other dairy-free kinds of milk may work. I do not recommend canned coconut milk. I have not tested this recipe with dairy-free ingredients.
  4. This cake will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 103mgPotassium: 143mgFiber: 3gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 481IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 1mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

This post was updated from an older Sept 2018 post with more recipe details.

Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe - Fearless Dining (2024)

FAQs

Are apples a gluten free food? ›

Unless it is mixed with a gluten containing ingredient or contaminated in some other way, fruit is naturally gluten free. Here is a list of fruit you can safely eat on a gluten free diet: Apples and pears. Bananas.

How long do you bake a cake? ›

Baking Times for Different Sized Cake Pans
Cake Pan SizeApproximate Baking Times
Two 8 x 8 x 2 or 9 x 9 x 2 inch baking pans25 to 35 minutes
12 cup Bundt Cake or Angel Food cake pan35 to one hour
10-inch cheesecake made in spring form pan35 to one hour
13- x 9- x 2-inch - 1/4 sheet cake30 to 35 minutes
5 more rows
Feb 13, 2024

How long to bake a 13x9 cake? ›

For a 9×13 inch sheet cake, bake for 36-40 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. With either size, make sure you rotate the cake pan once or twice during bake time. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan placed on a wire rack.

Does Cool Whip have gluten in it? ›

YES, Cool Whip is gluten-free!

Although it does not carry a gluten-free certification on the label, Cool Whip doesn't contain any sources of gluten. In addition, Kraft Heinz states that cross-contamination with gluten has not occurred during the manufacturing of Cool Whip products.

What foods do you avoid if you are gluten-free? ›

In general, avoid the following foods if you have celiac disease: Cereals, breads, or other grain products that include wheat, rye, barley, or oats. This includes white or whole-wheat flour (including cookies, crackers, cakes, and most other baked goods), semolina, couscous, bread crumbs, most pastas, and malt.

What is depression cake made of? ›

Depression cake
A modern chocolate depression-style cake.
Alternative namesMilkless Eggless Butterless Cake, Boiled Raisin Cake, War Cake
TypeCake
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredientsFlour, apples or pears, raisins or prunes, spices (cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg), nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)

Why is my apple cake dry? ›

If you have too much flour in a recipe and not enough fat, like butter or oil, your cake is going to be dry and hard.

What is the best apple to use in a cake? ›

Bon Appetit says the best apples for baking are Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Mutsu, Winesap, Pink Lady (Cripps Pink) but they also use Granny Smith often. They've listed several apples that have already been mentioned that are crisp and either sweet or tart. What is this?

Do you bake a cake at 350 or 375? ›

The general rule of thumb when baking is “the bigger the pan, the lower the temperature”. You bake a 9” round chocolate cake for about 30-35 minutes at 350° F (175° C).

What temperature is best for baking cakes? ›

Most typical cake recipes call for an oven temperature of 350 degrees. Dense cakes (like pound cakes, bundt cakes, etc) do better at 325 degrees with a longer bake time.

Why bake a cake at 325 instead of 350? ›

Baking at 325 degrees can help prevent the edges of baked goods from becoming too dry or overdone while allowing the center to fully cook. This can result in a more evenly textured and moist final product.

How many boxes of cake mix for a 9x13 pan? ›

One box of cake mix typically yields enough batter for 2 layers in a standard 8-inch round cake pan or 1 layer in a 9x13 inch sheet cake pan.

Can I use 2 round pans instead of 9x13? ›

An 8” square pan and 9” round pan can be used interchangeably for cake and bar recipes. A recipe written for a 9” x 13” pan can also be made in two 9” round pans; one 9” round and one 8” round, or two 8” round pans. Baking times may vary due to slightly different depths of batter in the various pan combinations.

How many cups of batter do I need for a 9x13 cake? ›

9×13 inch pan holds 14-16 cups of batter, essentially the same as 2 9×2-inch round pans.

Which fruits are not gluten-free? ›

Fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free. However, keep in mind that certain products, such as battered vegetables and candy-coated fruit, may contain gluten. The following are some options: apples.

Are any fruits not gluten-free? ›

Produce. Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free. However, it is important to read labels on any processed fruits and veggies, as well as dried fruit and pre-prepared smoothies.

How much gluten is in an apple? ›

Foods that are naturally gluten-free include: Fruits: apples, bananas, berries, grapes, kiwi, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, watermelon, etc.

Does peanut butter contain gluten? ›

It's important to know that peanuts, peanut butter, peanut flour and peanut oil are considered naturally gluten-free foods. Gluten is a form of protein found in wheat, barley and rye (2).

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