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–+ servings
apple streusel cake

Apple Streusel Cake

A cozy German-style apple Streusel cake: a soft vanilla cream filling, cinnamon-spiced apples and a crisp cinnamon streusel on top. It comes together in about an hour and is easy to make fully vegan.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Choose Serving Size 6

Ingredients 

For the filling:

  • ⅔ cup milk vegan or dairy
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the streusel:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • 3 tsp coconut oil room temperature

For the apple filling:

  • 2 apples firm, peeled and cubed
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice

For the cake batter:

  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg or 2 Tbsp psyllium husks for a vegan substitute

For the buttermilk:

  • ½ cup milk vegan or dairy
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • For the filling:
  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together all the filling ingredients except the vanilla.
  • Heat over low-medium heat and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 7 minutes. Do not let it boil. Stir in the vanilla, let cool, then cover and set aside.
  • For the streusel:
  • In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Rub in the coconut oil until the mixture is evenly crumbly. Refrigerate until needed.
  • For the apples:
  • Combine the cubed apples, sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest and lemon juice in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
  • For the cake batter:
  • Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
  • Mix the "buttermilk" ingredients (milk and apple cider vinegar) and set aside to curdle.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, mix the coconut oil and sugar with a mixer for about a minute. Add the vanilla and the egg (or the psyllium husks for the vegan version) and mix for a few more seconds. Carefully add the flour mixture and the "buttermilk" and mix on low speed until well combined, about a minute.
  • Line your baking pan with baking paper.
  • Spread the batter evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan.
  • Spoon the filling evenly over the batter.
  • Arrange the apples over the filling, then crumble the streusel between your fingers and sprinkle it evenly over the top.
  • Bake for 40 minutes, until the streusel is golden.

Notes

Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and let slices come back to room temperature (or warm them briefly) before serving. For a fully vegan cake, replace the egg with 2 Tbsp psyllium husks and use plant milk throughout.