Apple crumble fans will absolutely adore this vegan apple crumble cake as in many ways, it is very similar to an actual apple crumble. It's filled with super sweet Granny Smith apples and topped with a super toasty streusel topping.
Another great thing about this cake recipe is that it takes less than 30 minutes to make. That's a very short amount of time, considering how tasty this cake is. I think you'll really enjoy it!
I sometimes like to serve this apple cake while it is still warm with dairy-free custard. This increases those delicious apple crumble vibes. Dairy-free ice cream is another mouth-watering option. Otherwise, you can eat the cake on its own which is my favorite way.
Be sure to also see my vegan apple cinnamon cake, vegan apple oatmeal cake and vegan apple cinnamon muffins which are three classic apple recipes that I have made. I also love to add apples to my vegan ginger cake from time to time to spice it up a little.
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Why You Will Love This Cake
- Amazing Texture - These loaf cakes have three main textures which all compliment each other fantastically. Firstly there is the cake itself is so soft and fluffy. Secondly there is the baked, juicy apples into the center. Finally, there is the crumbly streusel which takes inspiration from my vegan blueberry lemon cake and vegan orange almond cake. It sits elegantly on top of the cakes.
- So Many Flavors - The flavors in this apple walnut cake recipe taste even better during the fall time! The cinnamon is quite strong but when combined with those sweet baking apples, it works so well and adds a whole new dimension.
- Easy to Make - Making these cakes is so simple. Make the streusel and chop the apples first and set aside, then make the batter by folding the dry cake ingredients into the wet ingredients. Fold the apples into the cake batter, then pour it into the tins. Sprinkle the streusel on top and bake.
- Allergy Friendly & Plant Based - This vegan apple walnut crumble cake recipe is entirely vegan and dairy free.
Ingredient Notes
- Brown sugar - Demerara sugar plays a big part in the outcome of the cakes as it is used in both the cake batter and the streusel. What I love about this kind of sugar is the fact that it contains molasses, whereas ordinary granulated sugar doesn't. This gives the cakes a gorgeous sweetness.
- Salted vegan butter - Using a vegan butter spread such as, Vitalite will work perfectly this recipe. Dairy-free butter blocks will work too if they have been softened at room temperature. If it isn't soft, it will be difficult to bind the streusel ingredients together.
- Ground cinnamon - This beautiful spice, as well as the nutmeg really enhance this recipe and take it to a new levels. As plenty of cinnamon is added, this cake always feels autumnal and cozy.
- Walnuts - Apples and walnuts are great together. In fact, they're one of my favorite combinations. It's almost like they were made for each other!
- Large Granny Smith cooking apple - These are some of the best types of apples that you can use for baking. If you love apples which are very sweet and tart, these will be your new favorites.
- Apple cider vinegar - You need to stir the vinegar into the soy milk to create your vegan buttermilk. This mixture is very important as it reacts with the leavening agents to create a wonderful, light texture.
- Canola oil - This is the same thing as rapeseed oil. This oil is named different things in different English-speaking countries and can sometimes cause a little bit of confusion. Like you'll see in other cakes such as, my vegan chocolate orange cake and eggless red velvet cake loaf, this oil gives them such a soft and delightful texture.
See recipe card for full information on individual ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- If Granny Smith apples aren't your usual go-to choice for making apple desserts, you can totally use a different kind of apple. Some other tasty options include Braeburn apples and Pink Lady apples which both make excellent substitutions. They both stay firm after being in the oven which is most important thing.
- Use a different dairy-free milk if you wish. I love using soy milk for most of my bakes like my vegan banana chocolate chip muffins and vegan sticky toffee pudding, as it contains natural binding agents such as soy lecithin, but other plant milks like almond milk and oat milk also have great effects on the cakes.
How To Make An Apple Walnut Crumble Cake
For the full method, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
1: Grease two rectangular cake tins with vegan butter.
2: Make the vegan buttermilk and let it curdle.
3: Add all the crumble ingredients to a small bowl.
4: Make the streusel. It should be crumbly like this.
5: Remove the core from the Granny Smith apple.
6: Remove the skin and then chop into cubes.
7: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the dry cake ingredients.
8: Mix in the buttermilk and the other wet ingredients until smooth.
9: Fold the apples into the cake batter.
10: Pour the batter into the cake tins.
11: Sprinkle on the walnut crumble mixture and bake.
12: Let the cakes cool and serve.
Expert Tips
Use good baking apples - As I briefly mentioned previously, the apples that you choose to use for this recipe is a crucial step. Many apples are better suited to being baked at high temperatures than others. Baking-specific apples are the ones that you need. There are many types so choose you favorites.
Place the crumble inside the fridge - Make the streusel crumble before you make the cake batter then place it into the fridge until you need it later on. This way, it will be nice and firm when you sprinkle it onto the cake batter.
Recipe FAQs
I love to use Granny Smith apples for this cake as I love their texture and flavor when cooked. Braeburn apples also work very well.
I often like to dust mine in a little flour before I add them to the batter. This can help this problem.
Store your cakes either at room temperature or in the fridge for up to three days, inside an airtight container.
More Vegan Cake Recipes
If you tried this Vegan Apple Walnut Crumble Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Best Ever Vegan Apple Walnut Crumble Cake
Ingredients
For the walnut crumble:
- 30 g all-purpose flour
- 25 g brown sugar demerara
- 1.5 Tablespoons salted vegan butter softened
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 30 g walnuts chopped
For the cake batter:
- 1 large Granny Smith cooking apple
- 200 ml soy milk
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 190 g all-purpose flour sifted
- 150 g brown sugar demerara
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 50 ml canola oil rapeseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 177 Celsius (350F).
- Grease two 20cm x 10cm cake tins with vegan butter. Set aside until later.
Make the streusel:
- In a small bowl, mix together all the crumble ingredients. Use your hands to combine it together until the texture is crumbly.
- Cover the crumble topping and place it into the fridge until you need it.
Make the cake:
- Remove the core and skin from the Granny Smith apple then chops into 1cm cubes. Set aside.
- Next, make your vegan buttermilk mixture by mixing your apple cider vinegar with the soy milk. Let it curdle for 8 minutes. You can measure out the other cake ingredients while you wait.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir together.
- Pour in the curdled soy milk, canola oil, vanilla extract and maple syrup. Fold your cake batter until the flour is completely combined.
- Finally, fold the chopped apple cubes into the mixture.
- Pour the apple cake batter into the prepared loaf cake tins. Sprinkle the walnut streusel equally onto the top of the two cakes. Bake your loaf cakes in center of the oven for 20 minutes. A skewer will come out of them clean when they’re ready.
- Let the apple walnut cakes cool in their tins for 15 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack.
Video
Notes
- The apples that you choose to use for this recipe is a crucial step. Many apples are better suited to being baked at high temperatures than others. Baking-specific apples are the ones that you need. There are many types so choose you favorites.
- Make the streusel crumble before you make the cake batter then place it into the fridge until you need it later on. This way, it will be nice and firm when you sprinkle it onto the cake batter.
Janet says
Hi, just to note that rapeseed oil is not healthy for human consumption. Thanks. Janet
DJ says
Thanks for your insightful comment, Janet.
Sue says
One of the yummiest cakes I’ve ever tried! 😍