Cinnamon Apple Cake

An apple cake with a light cinnamon frosting.

Ingredients

Cake

• 6 apples, peeled and thinly sliced

• 360 g (3 cups) all-purpose flour

• 220 g (1 cup plus 2 tbsp) sugar

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 200 ml (1 cup) vegetable oil

• 80 ml (1/3 cup) soy milk

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Frosting

• 200 g (1 cup) sugar

• 30 g (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour

• 3 tbsp cornstarch

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 350 ml (1 1/2 cups) soymilk

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 6 oz vegan cream cheese, softened

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) vegan butter, softened

Topping

• 1 tbsp oil

• 2 apples, thinly sliced

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tsp lime zest

Instructions

Cake

1. Line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper, and preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Arrange some of the apples to make a thin layer on the bottom of both pans.

3. Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, soy milk, vanilla, and vinegar until completely combined.

5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

6. Fold in the remaining apples, then split the batter between the two pans.

7. Use a spatula to smooth the cake batter, then bake the cakes for 40-45 minutes, rotating them halfway.

8. The cakes are done when the center is set and the cake is lightly browned. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack, keeping the parchment paper underneath.

Frosting

1. Add the sugar, flour, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon to a saucepan. Add the soymilk and whisk until all of the lumps are gone.

2. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens significantly.

3. Pass the mixture through a wire mesh strainer into a bowl. Cover the top of the mixture with plastic wrap, and put it in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours.

4. Place the chilled mixture, vanilla, and lemon juice in the bowl of a stand mixer, and mix on medium until combined.

5. Add in the cream cheese, one tablespoon at a time, making sure it is fully incorporated before moving on. Repeat with the butter.

6. Increase the speed of the mixer to high and whip the frosting until it doubles in size. For an especially smooth frosting, run it through a wire mesh strainer again.

Topping

1. Heat the oil in a pan. Add the apples, cinnamon, sugar, and lime zest.

2. Cook the apples until softened, and most of the moisture has evaporated.

Assembly

1. Place one of the cakes on a platter with the apple layer side up. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top.

2. Place the other cake on top with the apple layer side down so that the apples are in the middle of the cake.

3. Spread the remaining frosting over the cake.

4. Place the cooked apples on top of the cake, layering them in rings to create a rose.

5. Chill the cake, then serve.