As the crisp autumn air arrives and leaves begin to turn vibrant shades, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked apple cake filling your home. This Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience—a celebration of fall flavors and cozy spices. Crafted to be moist, incredibly flavorful, and naturally sweetened, this recipe stands out as a healthy apple cake that’s not only vegan-friendly but also a perfect choice for special occasions like Rosh Hashanah or simply enjoying a delightful breakfast or snack.
This comprehensive guide to baking the perfect Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake has been meticulously updated from its original publication on September 5, 2018, to bring you even more value and deliciousness.
Why This Healthy Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake is a Must-Try
Finding a healthy apple cake recipe that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture can be a challenge. Many traditional recipes call for refined sugars and oils, which can detract from the natural goodness of apples and cinnamon. Our rendition, however, thoughtfully replaces these with wholesome alternatives, ensuring every bite is guilt-free and utterly satisfying.
This moist honey cake (or maple syrup cake for a truly vegan option) is a testament to how simple, natural ingredients can create culinary magic. By utilizing fresh apples, unsweetened applesauce, and honey (or maple syrup), we’ve eliminated the need for refined vegetable oils and added white or brown sugar. The result is a wonderfully moist, perfectly spiced cake that’s wholesome enough to enjoy as a nutritious breakfast alongside your morning coffee or tea, or as a delightful afternoon snack.
Beyond its everyday appeal, this moist apple cake holds special significance for the high holy days. The tradition of eating apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah symbolizes a sweet new year, and what better way to honor this custom than by incorporating these beloved ingredients into a spectacular cake? It’s a symbolic and delicious way to usher in a sweet and prosperous new year.
Carefully Chosen Ingredients and Smart Substitutions
Inspired by a traditional honey cake, I embarked on a journey to transform it into a healthier, equally delectable apple honey cake. The secret lies in a few intelligent ingredient swaps that enhance both flavor and nutritional value. Unsweetened applesauce performs double duty, acting as a natural sweetener and replacing refined oil, while fresh chopped apples contribute to the cake’s exceptional moisture without the need for additional fats. I also boosted the spice blend, and honestly, I believe this healthy apple honey cake is even more delicious than the original!
- FLOUR: For a more robust flavor and added nutrients, opt for whole grain flour. I personally use whole wheat flour, but an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend can also yield fantastic results. Feel free to experiment with a flour mixture; I often combine whole wheat and spelt flour for a unique taste and texture profile.
- OATS: Old-fashioned, rolled oats are ideal for this recipe. When selecting your oats, prioritize non-GMO and glyphosate-free options. Brands like Thrive Market Organic Oats or One Degree Organic Sprouted Oats are excellent choices. While steel-cut oats won’t work due to their texture, quick-cooking oats can be a suitable substitute. For more information on glyphosate toxicity, consult resources like the Environmental Working Group.
- UNSWEETENED APPLESAUCE: This is our secret weapon for a naturally moist and flavorful cake, completely free of added sugars or oils. Many grocery stores offer convenient ½-cup containers of unsweetened applesauce, or you can easily make your own with my 5-minute applesauce recipe.
- HONEY: Honey contributes to both the moistness and sweetness of this cake. For a vegan alternative, or simply a different flavor profile, you can substitute an equal quantity of maple syrup. Both options will provide excellent texture and sweetness.
- GROUND FLAX: Beyond adding a delightful nutty flavor, ground flaxseed is a powerhouse of omega-3 fatty acids and acts as a fantastic binding agent, holding the cake together beautifully.
- VANILLA EXTRACT: A touch of vanilla extract perfectly complements the warm autumn spices, enhancing the overall flavor of this apple cake.
- CHOPPED APPLES: The star of the show! Choose firm apples without any mushy spots. Baking apples such as Empire, Cortland, or McIntosh will soften slightly during baking, creating a lovely melt-in-your-mouth texture. Snacking apples like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Gala will retain more of their shape. If you’re aiming to reduce sugar, a tart apple like Granny Smith can provide a wonderful balance. There’s no need to peel the apples; simply remove the core and chop them into a small dice. Ultimately, the best apple is the one you have readily available!
- SPICES: Cinnamon, allspice, and cloves create an intoxicating aroma and rich, cozy flavor. For an extra layer of warmth, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom.
Discover the Delight: Why You Will Love This Apple Bundt Cake
This Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary joy that brings warmth and flavor to any occasion. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- Unforgettably Deliciously Moist and Flavorful: Prepare for a cake that’s incredibly moist, bursting with the sweet-tart essence of apples and the comforting embrace of fall spices. It’s truly the perfect autumn treat.
- Effortlessly Easy Preparation: Say goodbye to complicated baking processes! This recipe is designed for simplicity. Just toss all your ingredients (except the chopped apples) into your food processor or blender, and let it do the work. The quick clean-up is an added bonus!
- Give Your Bundt Pan a Purpose: Is that beautiful bundt pan gathering dust? Now’s the time to pull it out and create a show-stopping dessert that’s as impressive as it is easy.
- A Sweet Way to Break the Fast: For those observing Yom Kippur, this cake offers a gentle and sweet treat to conclude the fast, embodying warmth and comfort.
- Chocolate Sauce Makes Everything Better: Anything enhanced with a rich, luscious chocolate sauce is an instant winner in my book! This cake is no exception.
- Convenient Make-Ahead and Freeze Options: Planning ahead is a breeze. Bake the cake, freeze it unfrosted, and simply glaze it right before serving for fresh-baked perfection anytime.
- Yes, Cake for Breakfast!: With its wholesome ingredients and natural sweetness, this isn’t just a dessert—it’s a perfectly acceptable and delicious way to start your day. Enjoy a slice knowing you’re nourishing your body with good-for-you ingredients.
Crafting Your Healthy Apple Cake: A Simple Guide
Baking this healthy apple cake is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these steps to create a masterpiece that will impress and delight.
- Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, prepare your bundt cake pan. You can grease and flour it thoroughly, use a non-stick cooking spray, or, if you have a tube pan with a removable bottom, line the bottom with parchment paper for easy release. Don’t have a bundt pan? No problem! A 9-inch round cake pan, a springform pan, or even a square baking dish will work beautifully. Refer to the recipe card for specific bake times if using an alternative pan.
- Combine the Cake Base: In the bowl of a food processor, add all ingredients EXCEPT the chopped apples. This includes both your wet and dry ingredients. There’s no need to combine them separately; the food processor makes quick work of blending everything together.
- Process to Perfection: Process the mixture until all ingredients are fully blended into a smooth, creamy batter. The batter will be notably thick, which is perfectly normal for this recipe. Continue blending until everything is thoroughly incorporated and uniform.
- Fold in the Apples: Once your batter is smooth, gently mix in the diced (or grated) apples by hand using a spatula. Whether you use small dice or grated apples, both work wonderfully in this recipe, allowing the apples to release moisture as the cake bakes. Don’t be concerned if the batter seems a bit pasty at this stage; the apples will work their magic during baking.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Use a rubber spatula to scoop the thick batter evenly into your prepared bundt pan. Bake in the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for approximately 40 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: The cake is ready when a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Depending on your oven, this might take an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Cooling Process: Allow the cake to cool in the baking pan for about 20 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack. This initial cooling in the pan helps it set and prevents breakage. Let it cool completely on the wire rack before storing or drizzling with the luscious chocolate sauce.
The Irresistible Date-Sweetened Chocolate Drizzle
While technically optional, I strongly encourage you not to skip the date-sweetened chocolate drizzle for this healthy honey apple cake. In fact, I often suggest making a double batch, because… well, chocolate! This isn’t just any chocolate sauce; it’s packed with goodness.
Raw cacao, the base of our drizzle, is a natural source of antioxidants and trace minerals. It’s known for its potential to protect nerve cells, improve circulation, and boost energy. And let’s be honest, chocolate is simply delicious! You won’t miss the refined sugar because the Medjool dates provide ample natural sweetness, along with a healthy dose of fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients. Imagine all the wonderful things you’ll want to dip into this wholesome and flavorful sauce!
Making the Chocolate Sauce: Simply combine the pitted dates, almond milk, and raw cacao powder in a food processor or blender. Process until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, achieving a thick yet pourable consistency. This magical drizzle is ready in minutes!
Drizzling Your Cake: Once your apple bundt cake has cooled completely, artfully drizzle the chocolate glaze over the top, allowing it to gracefully drip down the sides and into the center. If you opted for a regular baking pan, spread a thin, even layer of the chocolate sauce over the entire cake for a beautiful finish.
Meal Prep and Storage Strategies
This Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile when it comes to meal prep and storage, ensuring you can enjoy its comforting flavors whenever you desire.
- Serving Temperature: For optimal flavor and texture, this cake tastes best when served at room temperature.
- Preparing Ahead: If you’re planning for an event or simply want to get a head start, you can bake the cake in advance. Once baked, allow it to cool completely, then carefully wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Drizzle with the chocolate glaze just before serving to maintain its pristine appearance. The chocolate sauce itself can also be prepared up to 5 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Storing Glazed Cake: A cake that has already been glazed can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Ensure it is well-covered or store individual slices in an airtight container to keep it fresh and moist.
- Freezing for Later Enjoyment: The unglazed apple honey cake freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. To freeze, ensure the cake is completely cooled. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection against freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw at room temperature and glaze before serving.
Expert Baking Tips for Success
Achieving a perfectly moist and flavorful apple bundt cake is easier than you think with these professional insights:
- Choose the Right Pan: For effortless cake removal, consider using a bundt pan with a removable bottom or one known for its easy-release properties. This small detail can save you a lot of frustration!
- Patience is Key for Glazing: Always allow your cake to cool completely before drizzling it with the chocolate glaze. Glazing a warm cake will cause the glaze to melt and soak into the cake, rather than beautifully coating the surface.
- Maintain a Clean Presentation: To keep your serving plate or cake stand spotless after glazing, line it with unbleached parchment or wax paper before you start drizzling. Once the glaze has set slightly, simply pull out the paper for a perfectly clean presentation.
- Pre-Bake for Convenience: This cake is perfect for making in advance. Bake it, let it cool entirely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Apply the glaze right before you plan to serve it to maintain its freshness and beautiful finish.
- Dice Apples Small: While there’s no need to peel the apples, cutting them into SMALL dice will yield the best results. Smaller pieces integrate more evenly into the batter and provide a more consistent texture throughout the cake.
- Seasonal Fruit Swap: During the vibrant summer stone fruit season, feel free to substitute the apples with ripe peaches, nectarines, or plums for an equally DELICIOUS twist!
- Flour Flexibility: The best flour to use is the one you are most comfortable with or have on hand. Any all-purpose flour, including a gluten-free blend, will work well in this recipe.
- Perfect Dates for Drizzle: For the chocolate sauce, always use soft Medjool dates. If your dates are a bit firm, soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes, then drain thoroughly before blending. For maximum moisture, buy dates with the pits still in and remove them just before use.
- Alternative Baking Pan: If a bundt pan isn’t available, you can bake this recipe in a 9×13-inch rectangular baking pan lined with unbleached parchment paper. This will give you brownie-style squares of cake. Check for doneness around 30 minutes, as baking time will be shorter.
- Enjoy Anytime: This truly is a versatile and wonderful recipe. Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, as a healthy snack, or a delightful dessert, it’s perfect for any time of day!
Explore More Healthy Apple Recipes
If you’re anything like me, the love for apples extends far beyond just cake! Their versatility makes them a star in countless healthy and delicious dishes. Here are a few more apple-inspired recipes you might enjoy:
- Fall Harvest Salad with Apple Vinaigrette
- Gluten-free Apple Galette Recipe
- Healthy Dairy-free Baked Apples
- Dairy-free Apple Noodle Kugel Recipe
For those who celebrate, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a sweet new year, filled with good health, prosperity, abundant time with loved ones, and countless revealed blessings for all. Should you need more healthy recipes for your holiday table, be sure to explore my dedicated Rosh Hashanah Recipes Post.
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🍎 Recipe: Healthy Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake
Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake
Author: Debra Klein
This Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake is wonderfully moist and delicious, packed with cozy spices, and serves as the perfect healthy apple cake for Rosh Hashanah and fall celebrations.
Equipment
- Bundt Pan
- Food Processor
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons ground flax
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 ½ cups diced apples
Chocolate Date Drizzle
- 6 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 cup almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
- 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
Instructions
For the Apple Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Liberally grease and flour your bundt pan*.
- Place all ingredients for the cake, except the diced apples, into a food processor. Process until thoroughly blended into a smooth and creamy batter. If the batter is not smooth, continue processing for a bit longer.
- Core and dice the apples into small cubes (no need to peel). Gently stir the diced apples into the cake batter by hand using a spatula.
- Pour the cake mixture evenly into the prepared bundt pan.
- Bake for 40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Depending on your oven, it may require an additional 2-3 minutes. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before running a knife along the edges to loosen it. Carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- If preparing the cake in advance, ensure it is completely cool before wrapping tightly with plastic wrap. For freezing, add an additional layer of aluminum foil over the plastic wrap.
For the Chocolate Drizzle
- Remove pits from the Medjool dates. If your dates are firm or dry, soak them in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain completely before proceeding.
- Combine the pitted dates, almond milk, and raw cacao powder in a blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, achieving a thick yet drippy consistency suitable for drizzling.
To Decorate the Cake
- Once the apple cake has completely cooled, carefully place it on your desired serving plate or cake pedestal.
- Using a small spoon, artfully drizzle the chocolate sauce over the top of the cake, allowing it to naturally drip down the sides and into the center hole of the bundt cake.
Notes
- Bundt Pan Tip: If you’re using a tube pan with a removable bottom, lining the bottom with unbleached parchment paper will ensure easier cake removal. For a standard bundt pan, be sure to grease and flour it very generously or use a good quality baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Alternative Baking Pan: This cake can also be baked in a 9×13-inch baking pan. If using this size, bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, checking for doneness at the 30-minute mark. Spread a thin layer of chocolate sauce over the entire cake before cutting into squares to serve.
- Flour Choice: Any all-purpose flour, including a gluten-free blend, will work well in this recipe.
- Milk Preference: I used almond milk for the drizzle. Feel free to use your favorite plant-based milk.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 189 kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 32IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
Note: The nutrition calculations were estimated using online tools. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information for any given recipe, it is recommended to calculate it with the actual ingredients you use. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete, and useful.