Low Sugar Apple Cake

Total time1 hr 20 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time45 min

Tender chunks of apple fold through a cinnamon-spiced batter here, giving every square little pockets of soft, juicy fruit against a moist, tight crumb. Unsweetened applesauce does double duty, keeping the cake rich and moist while playing well off the warm nutmeg and cinnamon running through the base. A flax-and-water gel binds everything together in place of eggs, so the batter stays simple and mixes up in two bowls before it all comes together with a fold of a rubber spatula. Chopped walnuts are a welcome optional addition for anyone who wants a little crunch against that soft apple filling. Baked until deep golden at the edges and set clean through the center, this is the kind of humble snacking cake that's just as good with coffee in the morning as it is after dinner, and it's a solid pick for anyone watching added sugar in their day-to-day baking.

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Ingredients

9 servings

For the flax egg

For the cake

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup granulated sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Baking behavior varies by blend: some brown faster or stay softer, while others brown less. Follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Brown-sugar replacements vary in moisture, spread, and browning, so follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
⅓ cup neutral oil (such as canola oil or vegetable oil)
⅓ cup whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch chunks (about 2 cups)
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

For the topping

1 tbsp granulated sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Baking behavior varies by blend: some brown faster or stay softer, while others brown less. Follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2
In a small bowl, stir together the ground flaxseed and 3 tbsp water until combined. Set aside for 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens to a gel.

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