1 Bowl Apple Gingerbread Cake

Did you ever think a cake made with whole wheat flour, flax seed and grated apples could taste so amazing you’d want three slices? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening here. Let’s do this!

This recipe was made in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill using their whole wheat flour, which provides a rustic, hearty texture that I adore.

Whole wheat flour also packs more nutrition that your average cake made with all purpose, and complements the rolled oats, molasses and brown sugar perfectly.

This recipe requires just 1 bowl, simple ingredients and comes together in about 1 hour. A cake in one bowl in one hour? Yes, dreams do come true.

Speaking of dreams coming true, check out this vegan cream cheese frosting! Just 4 ingredients and you have a luxurious, creamy frosting that takes this cake to the next level.

This cake is my new fall and winter favorite. It’s:

Hearty
Rustic
Gingerbread-infused
Perfectly sweet
Moist
Tender
Subtly spiced
Simple
Shareable
And altogether perfect

Might I suggest this cake for holiday gatherings? Your friends will love you forever.

Because of its healthier ingredients, I would even argue it could be an acceptable brunch item (yes, I went there). Or, if you’re like John and me, enjoy a slice in the afternoon with hot tea.

If you make this cake, please let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We love seeing our recipes come to life in your kitchens.

Cheers, friends!

5.0 from 6 reviews
1 Bowl Apple Gingerbread Cake
Print
Prep time 25 mins
Cook time 35 mins
Total time 1 hour
A hearty, 1-bowl vegan apple cake infused with gingerbread flavors and rolled oats. A healthier cake perfect for holiday gatherings and cozy afternoons alongside tea.
Author: Minimalist Baker Recipe type: Dessert Cuisine: Vegan Serves: 10
Ingredients CAKE

• 2 flax eggs (2 Tbsp flaxseed meal 5 Tbsp water)
• 1/4 cup organic cane sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp molasses
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup grape seed oil (or sub canola, olive or melted coconut with varied results)
• 1 1/4 cup grated apple, loosely packed (~3 apples, a mix of sweet tart)
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (sub up to 1/2 cup with water)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• 1/2 cup vegan cream cheese, softened (such as Tofutti or Trader Joe’s brand)
• 1/3 cup vegan butter, softened (such as Earth Balance | butter sticks are best, not the spreadable tub)
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup flour (this is optional for thickening | alternatively sub more powdered sugar)
• 1 cup chopped pecans for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and butter two round cake pans, or an 8x8 baking dish. Add flour to coat, then shake out excess and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, prepare flax eggs by mixing flaxseed and water and let rest.
3. Core apples (no need to peel) and grate. I recommend a mix of finely grated, and coarsely grated. Place grated apple on a clean dish towel and gently squeeze to remove about half of the juice. Set aside. (P.S. you should totally drink that apple juice.)
4. To the flax egg, add sugars, molasses, oil, vanilla, almond milk, grated apples, and whisk.
5. Set a sifter over something to catch fall out and add dry ingredients in this order: 1 cup whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, remaining 1/2 cup whole wheat flour. Stir gently with a spoon, then sift over wet ingredients and stir to combine, being careful not to over mix).
6. Lastly, add oats and stir again to combine, being careful not to over mix. The batter should be thick but pourable. If it appears too thick, add a bit more almond milk to thin and stir.
7. Pour batter into prepared cake pan(s). If you're dividing between two pans, it may look like there’s not enough batter but there is! Spread it in an even layer and it will rise while baking.
8. Bake for about 30-35 minutes if using 2 round cake pans, or about 40-50 minutes for an 8x8. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean and the edges should be visibly browned. Remove from oven and set out on counter to cool completely.
9. While the cake is cooling, prepare frosting. To the same mixing bowl (rinsed clean), add softened cream cheese, softened butter and beat or whisk vigorously to combine. Then add powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments until thick and spreadable.
10. Add flour at the end to thicken (optional - or just more powdered sugar). You want this frosting to be pretty thick so it won’t slide off the cake, so keep adding flour and/or powdered sugar until it reaches the right consistency.
11. Once the cake is completely cooled, add 1/3 of the frosting to the top of the bottom layer and spread into an even layer. Then add the top layer of cake and frost generously with remaining frosting, coating sides last. Add crushed pecans on the edges (optional), slice and serve.
12. The cake should be stored covered in the fridge for optimal freshness, and should keep for 3-4 days. Move to the freezer after that, and thaw at room temp before serving.

Notes *Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 10 slices with a generous amount of frosting and pecans.
* Recipe adapted from my Vegan Gluten Free Apple Muffins
* Frosting recipe from my Gluten Free Zucchini Cake
Nutrition Information Serving size: 1 slice of 10 Calories: 485 Fat: 19g Saturated fat: 4.9g Carbohydrates: 74g Sugar: 46g Sodium: 450mg Fiber: 4g Protein: 5.3g
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This post was sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Minimalist Baker.