Cozy up with this vegan apple crumble cake — a moist, cinnamon-spiced cake topped with tender apples and a buttery crumble. Perfect for fall or anytime comfort baking.
Apple crumble and cake are two of my all-time favorite desserts, so I decided to combine them into one irresistible treat — this vegan apple crumble cake. It’s soft, comforting, and full of warm cinnamon flavor, with a sweet apple layer and a golden, buttery crumble on top. Plus, it’s completely egg-free and dairy-free, but you’d never guess!
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Apple Crumble Cake
- Two desserts in one – Combines the cozy flavors of apple crumble and the soft texture of cake in every bite.
- Fully vegan & dairy-free – Made without eggs or butter, yet still rich, moist, and delicious.
- Perfectly spiced – Warm cinnamon and brown sugar make it ideal for fall or any time you crave comfort.
- Easy to make – Simple ingredients and no fancy equipment needed; just mix, layer, and bake.
- Crowd-pleaser – Great for brunch, potlucks, or dessert – everyone will ask for the recipe.
Ingredients
The cake base:
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 100 g brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 240 ml unsweetened soy or almond milk
- 80 ml neutral oil (like sunflower or canola)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
The apple layer:
- 2 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
The crumble topping:
- 100 g all-purpose flour
- 50 g brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 70 g vegan butter (cold and cut into small cubes)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 20 cm (8-inch) round or square baking pan.
- Prepare the crumble topping:
In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add cold vegan butter and use your fingers or a fork to rub it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Chill in the fridge while you prep the rest. - Make the cake batter:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
In another bowl, mix plant milk, oil, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar. Pour wet into dry and mix just until combined (don’t overmix). - Prepare the apple layer:
Toss sliced apples with cinnamon and brown sugar. - Assemble the cake:
Pour the batter into the pan and smooth it out. Arrange the apple slices evenly on top. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over everything. - Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the crumble browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through.
- Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Optional Serving Suggestions
- A scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream
- A drizzle of maple syrup or vegan custard
Recipe Tips
Use firm, sweet-tart apples – Varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady hold their shape well and balance the sweetness of the cake.
Chill the crumble topping – Keeping the crumble cold before baking helps it stay crisp and buttery, not soggy.
Don’t overmix the batter – Stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cake soft and tender.
Use cold vegan butter – For the crumble, cold butter creates the perfect crumbly texture. Avoid melting it.
Slice apples thinly and evenly – Thin slices cook through properly and layer nicely into the cake for even texture and flavor.
Vegan Apple Crumble Cake
Ingredients
For the cake base
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 100 g brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 240 ml unsweetened soy or almond milk
- 80 ml neutral oil like avocado oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
For the apple layer
- 2 medium apples peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
For the crumble topping
- 100 g all-purpose flour
- 50 g brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 70 g vegan butter cold and cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 20 cm (8-inch) round or square baking pan.
- Prepare the crumble topping: In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add cold vegan butter and use your fingers or a fork to rub it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Chill in the fridge while you prep the rest.
- Make the cake batter:In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.In another bowl, mix plant milk, oil, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar. Pour wet into dry and mix just until combined (don’t overmix).
- Prepare the apple layer:Toss sliced apples with cinnamon and brown sugar.
- Assemble the cake:Pour the batter into the pan and smooth it out. Arrange the apple slices evenly on top. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over everything.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the crumble browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through.
- Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
I hope you love this vegan apple crumble cake as much as I do — it’s the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or enjoying a slice with a cup of tea, it’s pure comfort in every bite. Let me know if you try it!