I’ve developed this ingenious flourless apple pie cake that captures all the warmth and comfort of traditional apple pie while keeping things remarkably simple and naturally gluten-free. This recipe proves that sometimes the most basic ingredients create the most extraordinary results.
The Beauty of Simplicity
Born from the need to create delicious desserts for those with dietary restrictions, this cake revolutionizes traditional apple pie by eliminating flour entirely. The natural sweetness of apples combined with protein-rich almond meal creates a perfectly moist, nutritious cake that tastes indulgent while remaining wholesome.
Prep & Timing Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: 8 slices
Equipment Needed
- 8-inch (20cm) round cake pan
- Parchment paper
- Box grater
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
Ingredients
Core Ingredients
- 3 large apples (approximately 600g), peeled and grated
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1.5 cups (150g) almond meal/ground almonds
Optional Enhancements
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (30g) chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Detailed Instructions
Preparation Phase
- Position rack in middle of oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Line an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper
- Lightly grease the sides of the pan
Apple Preparation
- Peel apples carefully
- Grate apples using the large holes of a box grater
- Place grated apples in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth
- Squeeze firmly to remove excess moisture (this is crucial for proper texture)
- Set prepared apples aside
Mixing Process
- Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl
- Beat eggs with an electric mixer or whisk until:
- Color becomes pale yellow
- Volume doubles
- Texture becomes fluffy (about 3 minutes)
- Gradually fold in almond meal using a spatula
- Gently fold in grated apples until just combined
- Be careful not to overmix
Baking
- Pour batter into prepared cake pan
- Smooth surface with spatula
- If desired, sprinkle with:
- Ground cinnamon
- Chopped nuts
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until:
- Top is golden brown
- Cake feels firm when gently pressed
- Toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
Cooling and Serving
- Remove from oven
- Let cool in pan for 10 minutes
- Transfer to cooling rack
- Cool completely before slicing
- Garnish with optional toppings if desired
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Use sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for best flavor
- Room temperature eggs will provide better volume when beaten
- Don’t skip squeezing moisture from apples – this prevents a soggy cake
- Let cake cool completely for clean slices
- Store in an airtight container to maintain moisture
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Up to 2 days in airtight container
- Refrigerated: Up to 5 days
- Freezer: Up to 3 months (wrap well in plastic wrap and foil)
Nutritional Information (per slice)
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 12g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 7g
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm or at room temperature
- Pair with:
- A dollop of Greek yogurt
- Fresh berries
- A drizzle of honey
- Vanilla ice cream for dessert
- Morning coffee for breakfast
Variations
- Spiced Version: Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- Nutty Version: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to batter
- Berry Twist: Add 1 cup fresh berries to the top before baking
- Caramel Drizzle: Top with sugar-free caramel sauce for extra indulgence
This 3-Ingredient Flourless Apple Pie Cake is perfect for:
- Gluten-free diets
- Paleo lifestyle
- Clean eating
- Quick desserts
- Breakfast or brunch
- Afternoon tea
- Holiday gatherings
The simplicity of this recipe, combined with its delicious results, makes it a perfect choice for both novice bakers and experienced cooks looking for a healthy dessert option.
