Celebrate apple season with this easy Gluten Free Applesauce Cake with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting. This delicious fall dessert is made in one bowl, featuring buckwheat flour for a nutty, earthy flavor. The rich, creamy frosting adds a touch of sweetness from brown sugar, making this cake the perfect comforting treat for autumn gatherings or whenever the sweet tooth strikes.
Jump to:
- Recipe Ingredient Notes
- What is Buckwheat?
- How to make a Gluten Free Applesauce Cake
- Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting (Small Batch)
- Storage & Freezing
- FAQ for Gluten Free Applesauce Cake
- Join my Gluten Free Community!
- Note about Salt in my Recipes
- Baking in grams
- Note about Ovens and Oven Temperatures
- Substitutions and Modifications
- More Gluten Free Apple Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Recipe Ingredient Notes
Gluten Free Flour: I tested this Gluten Free Applesauce Cake with my own gluten-free flour blend, King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1. While all 3 gluten free flour blends created a tender, moist crumb and provided an outstanding flavor, overall, the cake made with King Arthur Measure for Measure was my personal favorite. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that while I haven't tried other brands of flour in this recipe, it doesn't necessarily mean that they won't work. The flour blend used to create this delicious gluten free cake recipe includes xanthan gum.
Buckwheat Flour: Buckwheat is a gluten-free flour made from the seeds of the Fagopyrum esculentum plant, which is related to rhubarb and sorrel. It is darker in color with an earthy flavor. I use Arrowhead Mills Organic Buckwheat flour in my baking. Make sure to purchase buckwheat flour and not buckwheat groats (unless you have your own flour mill).
Applesauce: Make sure to use unsweetened apple sauce without any added flavorings. You can use homemade apple sauce if you like but storebought works perfectly fine here.
Spices: I use a mix of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ground black pepper to spice my applesauce cake. Ground black pepper may seem like an unusual addition, but it provides a slight heat that helps balance the cake's sweetness. It also intensifies the other spices by adding a subtle warmth, enhancing the overall flavor.
What is Buckwheat?
Buckwheat flour is made from the groats (seeds) of the Fagopyrum esculentum plant, which is related to rhubarb and sorrel. Despite its name, buckwheat isn’t related to wheat; it's often referred to as an ancient grain and is classified as a "pseudocereal," like amaranth and quinoa—seeds from non-grass plants that are used similarly to grains.
Buckwheat flour has a nutty, earthy flavor, with some even describing it as having a hint of umami. If you've never tried buckwheat flour before, this recipe for Gluten-Free Applesauce Cake is a great introduction. However, don’t be tempted to use only buckwheat flour, as it can result in a dry, crumbly texture. Instead, it’s best when blended with other gluten free flours to create a well-balanced and moist baked good.
How to make a Gluten Free Applesauce Cake
This Gluten Free Applesauce Cake takes no time to make. All you really need is a few mixing bowls, a whisk, a flexible spatula and a small offset knife. You will also need an 8 x 8 square baking pan. A 9-inch square pan will also work but the applesauce cake will be thinner, so make sure to adjust your baking times accordingly. No need to use a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer for the cake which makes this recipe a breeze to make.
- Preheat the oven to 350F and put the wire rack in the middle. Choose either an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan and give it a light spray of cooking spray. Then, line the pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave some extra paper hanging over the edges.
- In a small bowl combine the gluten free multi purpose flour, buckwheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, and spices. With a whisk stir the ingredients to combine them evenly. Set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl add the brown sugar, canola oil or another neutral oil, one large egg and egg yolk, vanilla extract and unsweetened applesauce.
- Whisk the ingredients together until smooth
- Mix in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The batter will be thick. Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a denser gluten free applesauce cake.
- Transfer the gluten free applesauce cake batter to the prepared cake pan. With the back of a spoon or a small offset knife, smooth out the batter evenly.
- Place the Gluten Free Applesauce Cake in the preheated oven and bake at 350F for 23-25 minutes. The top of the cake will be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of your cake comes out clean. IF you use a different size of the pan, please adjust the baking time accordingly. (The recommended baking time is for an 8" inch square baking pan)
- Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift it out. Allow it to cool completely on the rack.
Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting (Small Batch)
Please make sure the butter and the cream cheese are at room temperature. I always use full-fat cream cheese that is sold in blocks.
- To make the cream cheese frosting, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, cream cheese, light brown sugar salt, kosher, and a generous teaspoon of vanilla extract in a medium bowl, and with an electric hand mixer mix to combine. You may also do this in your stand mixer using the paddle attachment. Mix until lighter in color and fluffy.
- Carefully add the powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar) – I recommend doing this in two steps (powdered sugar has a mind on its own). Remember you can always add more sugar if the frosting is not sweet enough to your liking. Mix until light and fluffy.
- To frost these Gluten Free Applesauce Cake, drop the frosting in the middle of the completely cooled cake and use a spoon or an offset knife to spread it out evenly.
- Place the frosted cake in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving. This gives the cream cheese frosting time to set and it will be easier to slice.
Storage & Freezing
Store any leftovers of this delicious applesauce cake in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because of the cream cheese frosting, I don't recommend storing it at room temperature. Since the cake is oil based, it should be moist and ready to eat without allowing for it to come to room temperature. (Unless you don't enjoy cold frosting, then please allow for it to come to room temperature before serving)
You can also freeze slices of the frosted cake for up to one month. The cream cheese frosting should maintain its texture. The unfrosted cake freezes a lot easier and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
FAQ for Gluten Free Applesauce Cake
Applesauce keeps cake moist and can replace some of the fat for a healthier option. It adds natural sweetness and gives the cake a soft crumb.
Yes, buckwheat is naturally gluten-free. Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat and is actually a seed. It’s safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities and is commonly used in gluten-free recipes.
Join my Gluten Free Community!
Note about Salt in my Recipes
I use Diamond Kosher Crystal Salt in all of my recipes unless otherwise stated. If use use a different brand or kind of salt in your kitchen please adjust accordingly since some salts can be saltier. If you use Morton’s Kosher Salt please be aware that their salt granules are smaller in size, denser, and crunchier and twice as salty.
Baking in grams
I share my recipes in grams and by weight since baking by weight is the most accurate way to bake. Digital Scales are very affordable and easy to use. You can purchase them on Amazon for less than a set of measuring cups. For small amounts under 10 grams, I like to use this Precision Pocket Scale. Measuring cups are very inaccurate which can cause significant errors when it comes to gluten-free baking or baking in general. Especially since I bake with gluten-free flours which weigh differently than “regular” flours. I do provide some ingredients like spices and leavening agents in measuring spoons. To learn more about Baking with a digital scale, make sure to check out my post about Baking by weight.
Note about Ovens and Oven Temperatures
All my recipes are tested and developed with a conventional oven. I always bake my baked goods on the rack placed in the MIDDLE of my oven. This way the heat coming from the bottom will not burn my baked goods.
If you are baking with convection (fan-forced), please adjust the recipes accordingly. Convection oven can cause baked goods to dry out quickly and still be raw inside. Since takes at least 15-20 minutes for a standard American Oven to be fully preheated. I highly recommend investing in an Oven Thermometer.
Substitutions and Modifications
Any dietary or ingredient modifications/substitutions to this recipe may alter the end result in appearance and taste. I test my recipes several times as published in this post and The Gluten Free Austrian Blog is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you find on our website.
More Gluten Free Apple Recipes
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Applesauce Cake
This easy Gluten Free Applesauce Cake with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect fall dessert. Made in just one bowl, this gluten-free cake is made with buckwheat flour, adding a slightly nutty, earthy flavor. Topped with a rich, creamy brown sugar cream cheese frosting, this comforting cake is an ideal gluten free treat for autumn gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Gluten Free Applesauce Cake
- 40 grams gluten free Buckwheat Flour (See Note)
- 120 grams gluten free multi purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (2 grams) kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 egg yolk
- 60g neutral oil (such as grapeseed oil)
- 200 grams unsweetened applesauce
- 90 grams light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 120 grams cream cheese, softened
- 40 grams unsalted butter, room temperature
- 60 grams powdered sugar
- 30 grams light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of kosher salt
For Decoration
- Dried Apple Chips, chopped nuts....
Instructions
Gluten Free Applesauce Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Line an 8x8 cake pan with parchment paper and set it aside. Make sure to leave some overhang so the cake can easily be removed from the pan.
- Sift together gluten-free flour, buckwheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and spices.
- In a separate bowl whisk together a large room-temperature egg. egg yolk, oil, applesauce, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the wet ingredients to your dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until fully combined.
- Add the batter to your prepared pan and smooth out with an offset knife or a spoon.
- Bake at 350F for 22-25 minutes. The center of the cake will spring back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean. If you have a digital thermometer, the internal temperature of the cake should be above 200F. IF you use a different size of the pan, please adjust the baking time accordingly. (The recommended baking time is for an 8" inch square baking pan)
- Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes in the pan before removing it from the cake pan. Allow for it to cool completely on a cooling rack before frosting
Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
- To make the cream cheese frosting, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, cream cheese, light brown sugar salt, kosher, and a generous teaspoon of vanilla extract in a medium bowl, and with an electric hand mixer mix to combine. You may also do this in your stand mixer using the paddle attachment. Mix until lighter in color and fluffy.
- Carefully add the powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar) – I recommend doing this in two steps (powdered sugar has a mind on its own). Remember you can always add more sugar if the frosting is not sweet enough to your liking. Mix until light and fluffy.
- To frost these Gluten Free Applesauce Cake, drop the frosting in the middle of the completely cooled cake and use a spoon or an offset knife to spread it out evenly.
- Place the frosted cake in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving. This gives the cream cheese frosting time to set and it will be easier to slice.
Notes
Buckwheat Flour: Buckwheat Flour can be replaced with 40 grams of additional gluten free flour. The cake will be lighter in color.
Frosting: While this Gluten Free Applesauce Cake is delicious with cream cheese frosting, it can also be served with a dusting of powdered sugar for a dairy free option.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 184
Calories are a guestimate and randomly generated.
Olivia says
I have never tried Buckwheat and was curious how it would taste in a cake. And I am sold - this might be the best apple cake I have ever had! (and I am not celiac - I just love your recipes)
parveen sharma says
Can i use APF instead of Gluten free flour?
Daniela Weiner says
Yes! Please reduce the amount to 275 grams if using All Purpose Flour
Crysta says
This was fantastic - big hit with my family! Love how the buckwheat adds an earthy note. I cut the frosting by 1/3 and still had plenty for the cake, even after I kept eating it from the bowl. ("Quality control") I will make this again!
Daniela says
This makes me so happy to hear. Sadly not many people use buckwheat flour. Like you I love the earthy note it add to this cake. And yes, this recipe makes a lot of frosting (I kinda like frosting HAHA). Thank you again for making this recipe.
Kit says
Just printed this to make on the weekend and noticed as VERY HIGH calorie count! Must be a mistake in the calculation.
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 43519
Daniela says
Hahaha... I would not look at those numbers. Its because the calculator can't read the 350-380 so it reads it as 350380 grams of powdered sugar HAHAHA
Dorothy says
Looks yummy but the measurements baffle me…. I only use cups, teaspoons etc for measuring…
Daniela says
All my recipes are shared by weight because baking by weight is the most accurate way to bake. I even wrote an article about it: Baking by weight. I don’t do cups and no, converters are not accurate so I don’t recommend doing that.
Karen says
Can I use gluten free measure for measure flour? Same amount as in your recipe? Can't wait to try this!
Daniela says
Measure for Measure will definitely work in this recipe.
Leslie Dibble says
This applesauce cake recipe is the best GF or not I've ever made or tasted. The fluff, texture and spices are perfect. I would never have thought of pepper but it is just the right little kick. A local farmer and his family have perfected the combination five different kinds of apples that I use for sauce. It can vary a little year to year depending on availability. I freeze it with no added sugar or seasoning because it doesn't need it.
Thank you Daniela for all your diligence and time consuming work to perfect these recipes and include the all so very important details.
Cynthia Kimball says
I made the applesauce cake and, once again, everyone loved it! Rather than make the icing, I made homemade ice cream...perfect pairing.