Spelt Apple Cake

Spelt Apple Cake

I love moist apple cakes, and I discovered this recipe for healthy apple cake when I was travelling through Europe. I have adapted and played around with the ingredients and quantities over the years. I have made this recipe semi-healthy by using spelt flour and make without butter or milk so it is dairy-free and good for anyone looking for a lactose-free cake recipe.

Spelt flour is a good source of fibre and the texture is light and airy like wheat flour and can be substituted in baking cakes, cookies, pancakes and bread for a healthier alternative to wheat flour.

I have also baked this with coconut oil, melted butter and vegetable oil depending on who I am baking this for. I have also made a gluten-free version using buckwheat flour. It turns out delicious every time and it is always a favourite amongst my friends. Either baked in a loaf tin or a square tin - it works fine in both. Granny Smith apples are the best but it will also work with other apple types. I suggest buying what apples are in season.

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs (vegan-friendly flax egg x 2)*
  • 180ml vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 150g sugar (option - dark brown sugar)
  • 250g Spelt flour/Buckwheat or half buckwheat and half spelt (or plain flour)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or less if you prefer (leave out if you've used salted butter)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 500g cored, peeled and diced apple (weighed after peeled & cored) approx 4 medium apples any variety

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 170˚C fan, 190˚C.
  2. Lightly grease and flour a loaf cake tin or 23 x 23cm square or line with scrunched baking paper.
  3. Beat vegetable oil (or butter) and eggs until foamy.
  4. Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda, salt and vanilla; mix well.
  5. Stir in the diced apples.
  6. Spoon mixture into prepared tin (it will be very thick).
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
  8. Cool cake in tin for 10 minutes before removing.

Sue Maree P Baking Tips

  • VEGAN – *flax egg recipe = 1 egg
    1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds (powder) mix with 3 tablespoons of water, then set to rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Then mix into your batter when the eggs needed
  • BUTTER – use non-dairy butter or oil
  • APPLES – granny smiths really great for cooking, but I have also used red or whatever is in season
  • SPICES – feel free to mix and match spice. Swap out ginger and cinnamon for mixed spice
  • BAKING – don't over mix or over cook.