This Apple Loaf Cake is soft, fluffy, sweet with a light spice. It has a soft apple flavor and is loaded with cinnamon. Topped with our 2 ingredient apple glaze, this recipe is perfection! It is moist and naturally eggless thanks to the use of applesauce and is so easy to make; no mixer is needed! It's the perfect cozy fall breakfast or snack! If that wasn’t enough, this apple cinnamon loaf cake is gluten free, nut free, egg free and easily can be made vegan!
This Apple Loaf Cake is the perfect combination of apple and cinnamon. My daughter is not a fan of chunks of apples, hence I like to make my apple recipes with applesauce! It makes for a smoother texture that remains light and fluffy yet still has apple flavor! What's great about this loaf cake is that the applesauce acts as an egg replacer, so no cornstarch slurry is needed!
For more apple recipes, try my Baked Apple Cider Donuts, my Apple Pie Cookies, my Apple Tea Cake, my Applesauce Crumb Cake or my Applesauce Cookies!
Reasons to Love This Apple Loaf Cake
- Allergy Friendly- This apple cake is gluten free, nut free, egg free and can easily be dairy free (vegan)!
- Light and Airy- This apple bread is so light! Not an overly dense work out for your jaw!
- No Egg Replacer- Since we're using applesauce, no other egg replacer is needed!
- Easy To Make- The batter mixes up with a whisk and spatula...no mixer is needed and the glaze is two ingredients!
Ingredient Notes
- Gluten Free Flour- If you also have nut allergies, make sure to use a brand that’s made in a nut free facility. I really love to use Cup4Cup Multipurpose Flour because it’s free of the top 9 allergens. It also contains xanthan gum which really helps give baked goods their bounce and prevents them from falling apart. Since all multipurpose gf flours are not the same, if you use a different gluten free flour, please understand the results will most likely be different.
- Granulated Sugar- We use mostly granulated sugar in this recipe to keep the loaf light and airy.
- Kosher Salt- Helps draw out all the flavors.
- Cinnamon- Gives the apple bread that cozy woodsy flavor that reminds us of fall!
- Vegetable Oil- This is an apple cinnamon recipe with oil instead of butter/vegan baking stick to help the loaf stay moist.
- Applesauce- We use store-bought to make this a super quick recipe. If you want to use homemade, check out my Slow Cooker Applesauce but keep in mind it takes 4 hours to make!
- Light Brown Sugar- We use this in combination with the granulated sugar!
- Milk- If there are no dairy allergies or if you’re not vegan, you can use regular whole milk. For non dairy, use a non dairy milk of your choosing.
- Pure Vanilla Extract- Make sure the vanilla you use is pure and gluten free. Using a vanilla that isn't pure will give the loaf a chemical-like flavor.
- Kosher Salt- Helps draw out all the flavors.
- Confectioners' Sugar- Used for the glaze.
- Apple Juice/Cider- We use 1 tablespoon of apple juice or cider to make the apple glaze!
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
How to Make this into a Vegan Loaf Cake
- Use a gluten free flour that’s free from dairy.
- Make sure the brand of sugar you use is vegan.
- Only use a non-dairy milk of choice.
Make this Recipe with All Purpose Flour
- Use 1 ¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons packed cups of AP flour (294 grams plus 2 tablespoons).
- Only use 1 cup of milk.
This recipe has not been tested with some of these substitutions and/or variations due to celiac disease and food allergies. If you change any of the ingredients, please let us know how the recipe turned out in the comments below!
How to Make Apple Loaf Cake
Here are the step by step instructions to make this apple cinnamon loaf!
Step 1: Whisk the Together the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl whisk together the gluten free flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Whisk together the Wet Ingredients and Brown Sugar
In another large bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, applesauce, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla until fully emulsified and combined.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients to the Dry
Using a whisk, slowly mix the liquid ingredients into the dry until just combined. If it gets too thick, switch to a spatula.
Step 4: Add Batter to Pan
Add the batter into a parchment lined 9 x 5 loaf pan; smooth the top with a butter knife.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes until the loaf is risen and springy.
Let cool for 15 minutes in the pan before moving to a cooling rack.
Step 6: Make The Apple Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and apple cider/juice until combined and smooth.
Step 7: Pour the Apple Glaze on the Apple Loaf
Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cool loaf and wait for it to harden before serving. Enjoy!
Expert Baking Tips
- Use Packed Cups of Flour- Normally in baking we do not use packed cups however, when working with gluten free, I've found using packed cups works best to help the baked goods keep their shape. Or read the gram measurement.
- Smooth the Batter- When the batter is in the loaf pan, gently smooth the top with a butter knife prior to baking.
- Leave a Parchment Overhang- When lining the loaf pan with parchment paper, make sure to leave about a one inch overhang on either side of the loaf pan. This way, when the loaf has cooled a bit after coming out of the oven, you can just lift the entire loaf out using the parchment overhang. In addition, this prevents you from having to grease the loaf pan. I find that greasing the pan can make the cake soggy on the bottom.
- Making The Glaze- If the glaze appears too watery, add more confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. If it appears too thick, add more cider/juice ¼ teaspoon at a time. You want the glaze thin enough to drizzle, but thick enough to solidify on the loaf.
- Let the Glaze Harden- If you do not let the glaze harden, it has a very strong sugar taste. Once hard, it has a lovely mild apple sweetness.
Recipe FAQs
It is best made the same day, but you can make it the night before.
If making the night before, do not add the glaze. Store the loaf in foil or in an airtight container at room temperature and then add the glaze before serving.
Yes! You can...I do! If so, make sure it does not have added cinnamon. Also, make sure it is gluten free.
Storing: Once the loaf cake has been sliced, cut the entire loaf into slices, wrap each slice in foil and store in a zip top bag in the fridge for 2 days. Do not leave the slices at room temperature as they get very wet due to the apple glaze.
When ready to eat, let the slices sit on the counter, in the foil for about an hour or until the cake is room temperature and soft.
I do not recommend freezing this loaf once the glaze has been added as it gets very wet when defrosting.
More Apple Recipes You'll Love
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📖 Recipe
Apple Loaf Cake
Ingredients
For the Apple Loaf Cake
- 1 ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons multipurpose gluten free flour (I use Cup4Cup gluten free multipurpose flour which contains xanthan gum)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 pinches kosher salt
- ¼ cup light brown sugar , packed
- ⅔ cup applesauce
- 1 ⅓ cups milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Apple Glaze
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider or apple juice
Instructions
Make the Apple Loaf Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9 x 5 inch pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 ¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons multipurpose gluten free flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon and 2 pinches kosher salt. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, whisk together the ¼ cup packed light brown sugar, ⅔ cup applesauce, 1 ⅓ cups milk, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until fully combined and emulsified.
- Using a whisk, slowly mix the liquid ingredients into the dry until just combined. If it gets too thick, switch to a spatula.
- Add the batter into a parchment lined 9 x 5 loaf pan; smooth the top with a butter knife.
- Bake in the center rack of the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes until the loaf is risen and springy when gently touched. After removing from the oven, let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then remove from the pan using the parchment paper overhang and let cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
Make the Apple Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon apple cider/juice until combined and smooth.
- Pour the apple glaze on top of the cool loaf. If you pour it on a warm loaf cake, the glaze with melt. Let the glaze harden prior to serving. Enjoy!
terry says
Ohhh delicious! How long can I freeze this . It would be a great loaf to have when surprise guests come over.
Lee says
Hi Terry! I mention in the post that I don't advise freezing once the glaze is on because it gets very wet when defrosting. But, you can freeze the loaf (without the glaze) for up to 14 days. Once fully defrosted and room temperature, then I would add the glaze. Hope this helps!
Steve says
Apple and cinnamon, perfect together! Delicious!
John says
Tastes great and easy to make!