Description

This Healthy Apple Snack Cake is a wholesome and delicious treat perfect for a nutritious snack or breakfast. Made with whole wheat flour, fresh apples, and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, this cake combines warm spices and a moist crumb to satisfy your sweet tooth without refined sugars. Optional nuts and dried fruits add texture and extra flavor, making it a guilt-free indulgence that’s easy to prepare and bake.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Add-ins

1 1/2 cup diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1/4 cup raisins or cranberries (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Add Mix-ins: Gently fold in the diced apples, nuts, and dried fruit (if using) along with the lemon juice, distributing evenly throughout the batter.
Prepare Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool in Pan: Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes.
Cool Completely and Serve: Remove from the pan and allow the cake to cool completely on the wire rack. Once cooled, cut the cake into squares and serve. Enjoy as a healthy snack or breakfast treat!

Notes

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for better flavor balance.
Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and use a maple syrup instead of honey.
You can swap walnuts or pecans with your preferred nuts or omit them for nut-free.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
This cake freezes well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.