Chai Spice Apple Cake (Gluten Free and Grain Free)
This is so perfect for fall, while still being a healthier cake than many. I love all the spices and flavor from the apples cooking with some of the spice. Dust this with powdered sugar or glaze, or serve it plain for a processed sugar free cake.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour, gf
- ½ cup coconut flour, gf
- ½ cup modified tapioca starch, gf
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder, gf
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, gf
- 1 teaspoon allspice, gf
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, gf
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves, gf
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, gf
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or plain yogurt Sub dairy free yogurt for a dairy free version
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil or avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla, gf
For the Apples
- 2 cups peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples , or another tart and crisp apple
- 3 ½ tbsp butter or dairy free butter substitute check for a GF butter substitute like Earth Balance Vegan and Gluten Free Dairy Free Butter
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 2 tbsp rum optional, or use 2 additional tablespoons of water
- 1 cinnamon stick, gf
- 2-3 star anise, gf
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom, gf
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla, gf
Spice Glaze (omit for the lower sugar version)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ tbsp milk or dairy free milk substitute for a dairy free option
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla, gf
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, gf
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, gf
Instructions
For the Apples:
- In a skillet, heat the 3 1/2 T butter over medium low heat until melted, swirling the pan several times. Add the chopped apples, the 2 T honey or maple syrup, rum, cinnamon stick, star anise, cardamom, water, and vanilla.
- Simmer and cook for 12- 15 minutes. Once the apples are cooking, proceed to make the cake batter, stirring them occasionally.
For the Cake Batter:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 8×8 pan with parchment and grease with a spray oil.
- In a large bowl, sift the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Add the eggs, oil, yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla. Stir together until thoroughly combined. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Smooth across the top evenly, making an X from the center to the corners.
- Spoon the cooked apples on top and gently press down a little. Bake for 38-45 minutes.
Spice Glaze:
- Add the ingredients to a bowl and stir until smooth. Drizzle over the warm cake and sprinkle nuts over. Serve with maple whipped cream if desired.** Maple Whipped Cream Recipe below in the notes.
Notes
This cake is delicious with a dollop of whipped cream. I like to sweeten mine with maple syrup and add a small amount of cinnamon and nutmeg, and/or cloves.
Maple Whipped Cream:
1 cup heavy full fat cream
3/4 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla, gf
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, gf
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, gf
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, gf
Whip the cream until it's beginning to thicken. Add the maple syrup, vanilla and spices and continue whipping until a nice pillowy soft texture. Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.