Vegan Apple Cider Cake

The leaves are turning golden here out east and the air is growing crisp. As we transition from summer to fall there’s nothing quite like the warm, cozy flavors of fall baking. This Vegan Apple Cider Cake is the perfect treat to celebrate the season—moist, tender, and infused with the comforting spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. The real star of the show, of course, is the apple cider, bringing a natural sweetness and subtle tang that pairs beautifully with fresh apple chunks and grated apple baked right into the batter. Each bite tastes like a cozy autumn afternoon wrapped up in cake form.

What makes this recipe even better is how simple and approachable it is. Using wholesome ingredients like unsweetened applesauce and pure maple syrup, this cake is naturally dairy-free and egg-free—yet it loses nothing in flavor or texture. The grated apple keeps it incredibly moist, while the warm spices and apple cider create that classic fall flavor we all crave this time of year. The cake comes together quickly in one bowl for dry ingredients and one bowl for wet, making it a low-effort dessert that still feels festive and special.

And because every good cake deserves a little extra love, we’re topping it with a silky Vegan Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Lightly sweetened with maple syrup, it adds a luscious, creamy layer that perfectly balances the warm, spiced cake beneath. This combination of flavors is the ultimate fall dessert—ideal for holiday gatherings, cozy weekend baking, or even as a treat with your morning coffee.

Whether you’re vegan or simply looking to try a dairy-free dessert that everyone will love, this Vegan Apple Cider Cake will become a new seasonal favorite. It’s proof that plant-based baking can be just as decadent, delicious, and celebratory as any traditional recipe.

Vegan Apple Cider Cake

Apple Cider Cake Ingredients

For the cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour + 1–2 teaspoons to toss the apples

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 cup unsweetened apple cider

• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or neutral oil)

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup apple chunks (dice into small, 1/4-inch chunks) + 1/2 cup grated apple (peeled and cored)

Apple Cider Cake Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round or square cake pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all spices until well combined.

3. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the apple cider, applesauce, maple syrup (or coconut sugar), melted coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.

4. Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are okay.

5. Toss the diced apples with 1–2 teaspoons of flour before folding into the batter—this keeps them from sinking to the bottom.

6. Fold in gently at the very end before pouring into your cake pan.

7. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Frosting: frost using the maple cream cheese frosting

Vegan Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Maple Frosting Ingredients

• 1 cup vegan cream cheese (brands like Kite Hill, Miyoko’s, or Tofutti work well)

• 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened (like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s)

• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2–2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (sifted for a smoother texture)

• Pinch of salt (optional, but balances the sweetness)

Maple Frosting Instructions

1. Beat the cream cheese and butter:
   In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the vegan cream cheese and softened vegan butter until smooth and creamy, about 2–3 minutes.

2. Add the maple and vanilla:
   Pour in the maple syrup and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.

3. Add the powdered sugar gradually:
   With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until you reach your desired sweetness and thickness. Increase to medium speed and beat for another 2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

4. Taste and adjust:
   Add a pinch of salt if the frosting tastes too sweet. If you want it thicker, add more powdered sugar; if thinner, a splash of non-dairy milk can help.

5. Chill before frosting:
   For best results, refrigerate the frosting for about 20–30 minutes before spreading so it firms up slightly.

As the final touch to your fall baking, this Vegan Apple Cider Cake truly delivers on flavor, texture, and seasonal charm. Each slice bursts with the cozy warmth of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, perfectly balanced by the natural sweetness of apple cider, maple syrup, and fresh apples baked right in. The luscious vegan maple cream cheese frosting adds just the right amount of creaminess and tang, making this dessert feel indulgent yet wholesome. Best of all, it’s simple to make, completely dairy-free and egg-free, and guaranteed to please a crowd—whether you’re serving it at a holiday dinner, bringing it to a potluck, or enjoying a quiet weekend at home. One bite of this spiced, tender cake, and you’ll be reminded why fall flavors are so irresistible. Warm, inviting, and deliciously plant-based, this cake is destined to become a seasonal favorite year after year.