This easy caramel apple cake is perfectly spiced, moist, and loaded with chunks of apples, this caramel apple cake is the perfect centrepiece for any Fall celebration.
The apple cake sponge is moist and held together with a decadent vanilla frosting and topped with sweet apple sauce and drizzle of homemade caramel.

In this apple cake uk recipe I will be going through how to make this apple cake easy and answering your FAQs such as ‘can you make apple cake using eating apples’ ‘can you make apple cake without butter’ ‘how long does apple cake last’ and so much more.
A really great thing about this cinnamon and apple cake is how versatile it is. Which is what makes this apple cake recipe best. For example, you can make this into an almond and apple cake for a slightly less sweeter alternative or perhaps you might prefer swapping out the apple chunks for chopped walnuts or pecans instead!
I’ll also be sharing some more flavor variations and mix in’s below. And would highly recommend you check that part of this post out!

This recipe for easy apple cake requires just one bowl to come together and is relatively quick to make from start to finish!
If you’re looking for more gluten free recipes to add to your baking list check out my Pumpkin Cookies and Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Expert Baking Tips on how to make this fresh apple cake with glaze
Although this apple cake gluten free recipe is super simple to make, here are just a few expert tips I'd recommend:
- If you're making your own apple puree make sure they’re are a few chunks of apple in the puree to add some texture.
- Make sure to divide the batter evenly between the 2 tins, you can use a measuring scale for more precision.
- To make the apple cake with caramel glaze follow my recipe here
Master the art of baking GF, DF & Vegan
Baking Free From 101
How make apple cake
Apple cake ingredients
- Cassava Flour – This grain free flour helps make this cake moist. [I used Otto’s Naturals]
- Butter spread – If you wanted to make this apple cake without butter you can use dairy free butter instead.
- Caster sugar – I like to use caster sugar in my cakes which is just very refined sugar. So if you can’t find caster sugar I’d recommend using very refined granulated sugar.
- Light Brown sugar - This helps create a chewy cookie by preventing retaining some of the cookies moisture and spreading too much.
- Apple Sauce - You can make this at home by blending 2 apples until smooth - with some chunks for texture or you can buy it from you local grocery store.
How do you make apple cake
Caramel apple cake recipe from scratch
Apple cake recipe easy - Step by step instructions
- First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then grease and flour your cake tins and set aside.
- Begin by creaming together your cinnamon, butter and brown sugar.
- Once combined cream into the rest of the butter and sugar. Then add your eggs and mix well.
- Pour in your flour and baking powder and mix in. Once fully incorporated pour in the milk and apple sauce.
- Divide the batter equally between 2 8inch cake tins and bake for 30-45 mins. Or until slightly golden and a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre.
- As the cakes cool begin by making the frosting. For this simply beat together the butter and sugar for 5-7 mins using an electric whisk until pale and fluffy.
Assembling
- Spread 2tbsp of the buttercream onto one of the sponges using a knife or spatula. Then create a dip in the centre of the buttercream to create a dam.
- Fill the dam with a tablespoon or 2 of apple sauce and caramel. (The dam of buttercream will prevent the filling from oozing out of the sides of the cake).
- Place the second layer face down for a more neat levelled frosting. Spread the remaining frosting across the top and sides of the cake.
- Next at the top of the cake again create a dam and fill with apple sauce and caramel.
- Finally slice and enjoy!

Flavour Variations and Mixins- Recipes for Gluten Free Cake
Almond and Apple Cake
For a slightly less sweeter alternative of the caramel apple cake, why not opt for amore nutier alternative - almond apple cake. Substituting the caramel with chopped almonds as well as almond flour in it’s sponge for a lighter texture.
Gluten Free Vegan Apple Cake
If you’d prefer to make this apple cake vegan, simply remove the eggs and add 240 ml of plant based milk in its place alongside dairy free butter.
Let me know in the comments if you try these variations or if you came up with your own!

FAQs - Recipe Apple Cake
Can you make apple cake using eating apples ?
Crissp, Gala, Honeycrisp and Granny smith apples are said to be the best apples for baking. However, yes, you may use regular eating apples such as Bramely apples in your cake.
Can you make this apple cake with plain flour ?
Yes, you may opt to use plain flour in place of cassava flour, but if you still plain to make the cake gluten free without using cassava flour. Please ensure you use plain flour in place of regular flour with a teaspoon of xanthan gum if it’s not already included.
Storing and freezing
How long apple cake last ?
The cake will stay good at room-temperature for up to 2 days, in the fridge for up to a week, and in the freezer for up to 2 months if stored in an airtight container.
Make sure to tag me@whiskmefree on Instagram and leave a review below if you followed this easy caramel apple cake recipe. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
Easy caramel apple cake recipe

Equipment
- 8 inch Cake tin
Ingredients
- 200 g Caster sugar
- 225 g Butter spread
- 45 g Light Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 4 Eggs
- 310 g Cassava Flour
- 2 teaspoon Cassava Baking Powder
- 340 ml Milk of choice
- 140 g Apple Sauce with chunks
Frosting
- 150 g Butter
- 280 g Icing Sugar
- 140 g Apple Sauce with chunks
- 200 g Caramel Sauce
Instructions
- First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then grease and flour your cake tins and set aside.
- Begin by creaming together your cinnamon, butter and brown sugar.
- Once combined cream into the rest of the butter and sugar. Then add your eggs and mix well.
- Pour in your flour and baking powder and mix in. Once fully incorporated pour in the milk and apple sauce.
- Divide the batter equally between 2 8inch cake tins and bake for 30-45 mins. Or until slightly golden and a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre.
- As the cakes cool begin by making the frosting. For this simply beat together the butter and sugar for 5-7 mins using an electric whisk until pale and fluffy.
Assembling
- Spread 2tbsp of the buttercream onto one of the sponges using a knife or spatula. Then create a dip in the centre of the buttercream to create a dam.
- Fill the dam with a tablespoon or 2 of apple sauce and caramel. (The dam of buttercream will prevent the filling from oozing out of the sides of the cake).
- Place the second layer face down for a more neat levelled frosting. Spread the remaining frosting across the top and sides of the cake.
- Next at the top of the cake again create a dam and fill with apple sauce and caramel.
- Finally slice and enjoy!
*This blog post may contain affiliate links. Product mentions do not imply endorsement. Please read my disclaimer on my privacy policy page for more information.
© Leena. All images & content are copyright protected. Do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words and credit me, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Leave a Comment