Mediterranean Maple-Apple Olive Oil Cake

The Vegan Mediterranean Maple-Apple Olive Oil Cake is a good option for vegans, as they do not need to compromise the taste and feel of a traditional cake. With its Mediterranean touch and simplicity, this cake uses simple and vegan-friendly ingredients and does not rely on any dairy products, such as eggs, milk, or even butter or refined sugar. This Vegan Mediterranean Maple-Apple Olive Oil Cake is crispy on its edges and soft on the inside, just like a classic cake. It is natural and simple at the same time, which gives you a satisfying feeling. You can make this cake for several occasions.

STATS:

• Calories: 265 kilocalories
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Serving size: 1 slice
• Cook time: 40 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Total time: 55 minutes
• Course: Dessert
• Diet: Vegan
• Serving: 10 slices

EQUIPMENT:

• Cooling rack
• Parchment paper
• 9-inch round cake pan
• Whisk
• Mixing bowl

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• One tsp of baking soda
• ½ tsp of baking powder
• One-third cup of maple syrup (pure)
• ¼ tsp of nutmeg (optional)
• Half cup of olive oil
• ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup of vegan milk
• Half tsp of salt
• One tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ medium apples (peel & finely chop them)
• One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp of chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)

INGREDIENT NOTES:

ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR:

• Flour gives the cake its structure. It also makes the cake soft. For alternatives, use oat flour or whole-wheat pastry flour.

OLIVE OIL:

• This helps in keeping the cake moist. This is also a key Mediterranean fat. For an alternative, use sunflower oil or avocado oil.

MAPLE SYRUP:

• The maple syrup helps in providing a natural sweetness and also a slight flavor of caramel. Use date syrup as an alternative.

APPLESAUCE:

• It also gives natural sweetness, and we also use this in place of eggs. For alternative options, use pumpkin puree or mashed banana.

VEGAN MILK:

• We use vegan milk in this recipe to balance ot the texture of the batter of the cake. You can also use coconut, soy, or oat milk instead.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR:

• This is useful in activating the baking soda for a fluffy texture of the cake. For alternative options, you can use white vinegar or lemon juice.

CINNAMON & NUTMEG:

• We use this to add scent and coziness to the recipe. You can also use allspice or cardamom.

APPLES:

• They give the texture that is fruity, and also provide natural sweetness in the cake. For alternatives, you might add grated zucchini or pears.

ALMONDS / WALNUTS:

• Both of them are sources of omega-3 fats and add a crunchy element to the cake. For a nut-free cake, you might want to omit these or use pumpkin seeds as an alternative.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat up the oven to about 175 °C.
2. Whisk nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and flour together.
3. Inside a separate bowl, whisk vanilla extract, vinegar, vegan milk, applesauce, maple syrup, and olive oil.
4. Now gently mix and combine all the dry and wet ingredients together.
5. Mix in the nuts and apples.
6. Put everything inside the cake pan.
7. Bake it for thirty-five to forty minutes till the toothpick from the center comes out clean.
8. Cool for around ten minutes inside the cake pan, before placing it on the rack.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• You can pour some maple syrup on top of the cake.
• Serve this cake with Turkish coffee or Earl Grey tea to make it a complete Mediterranean treat.
• Use vegan coconut cream or vanilla yogurt to serve this cake warm.

TIPS:

• For the cake to develop a good flavor, use extra-virgin olive oil of high quality.
• To keep the cake soft, try not to overmix the ingredients.
• If you want some extra texture and a sweet element, you might add raisins or chopped dates.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• In a sealed container, store this cake for five days.

FREEZER:

• Store the cake slices by wrapping them individually for two months. Reheat for twenty to thirty seconds or thaw for a night.

FAQs:

What are other options instead of olive oil?

• Use melted avocado or coconut oil instead.

How to make this cake gluten-free?

• Make use of oat flour with an extra tablespoon of applesauce or gluten-free flour blend.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 265 kilocalories
Net carbs: 30.2 grams
Iron: 0.002 grams
Total carbs: 32.4 grams
Vitamin A: 1333 IU
Fiber: 2.2 grams
Calcium: 0.05 grams
Protein: 3.9 grams
Serving size: 1 slice
Sodium: 0.23 grams
Serving: 10 slices
Potassium: 0.21 grams