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If you’re after the perfect autumnal bake, it has to be this Gluten Free Dorset Apple Cake. A sweet and slightly spiced cake, with chunks of tangy apple and a crunchy sugar topping. It’s perfect served warm or cold.
To me, the perfect apple cake is the epitome of autumn. It’s also a great way to use up your windfall crop or apple harvest when they come into season.
Making a gluten free apple cake is easy and the warming smells of cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg will make your house smell divine.
And being a Westcountry girl, a Dorset Apple Cake is pretty close to my heart.
A gluten free Dorset Apple Cake is set apart from the rest with its hearty apple chunks and crunchy, demerera sugar topping.
This makes it absolutely delicious served warm with custard, ice-cream or clotted cream. The Devonshire kind, of course!
Gluten Free Dorset Apple Cake Ingredients
To make this gluten free Dorset Apple Cake recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 large Bramley, Granny Smith or Windfall apple (approx 500g)
- 150g unsalted butter (softened)
- 150g light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 200g gluten free self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp mixed spice
- 2 tbsp demerera sugar
There’s a full printable recipe card below with the method, but hopefully this will help with the shopping list.
Substitutions and dairy free option
For a Dorset Apple Cake you can use any type of apple but I do find that tangy apples like Bramley and Granny Smith work better.
They add a lovely tartness to the cake and won’t go too soft when cooked.
If you don’t have a gluten free self-raising flour you can make your own instead. Simply mix 100g plain gluten free flour with 1 tsp baking powder.
Make sure to always double check that the baking powder you use is gluten free as some still have ‘may contain’ warnings.
To make this Dorset Apple Cake dairy free, simply switch the butter for a vegan alternative like Stork Baking Block.
How to make a gluten free Dorset Apple Cake
Making this gluten free apple cake is very simple and only takes a few simple steps.
Firstly, grease and line a round baking tin and pre-heat the oven so it is nice and hot once you’re ready to pop the cake in.
Prepare the apples by peeling them, removing the core and then chopping into good-size chunks. I prefer mine nice and chunky!
To make this apple cake I cream the butter and sugar together, then add the eggs, and finally fold in the dry ingredients.
Add the apple chunks and fold them in so they’re nicely distributed, then pour the mixture into your cake tin and spread it out evenly.
Top with demerera sugar before baking until golden brown. I love this cake served warm with custard or ice-cream.
My gluten free Dorset apple cake recipe
This gluten free apple cake recipe is the perfect treat for afternoon tea or autumnal dessert idea.
This makes one, 8-inch round cake which would serve 8-12 people depending on how big a slice you like.
You can also slice up any leftovers and freeze them ready for when you fancy a treat.
If you make this recipe and love it, please do let me know by tagging me on my Instagram or using #theglutenfreeblogger. I love seeing your bakes!
And please do leave a review to let others know you loved it too! It would mean the world to me.
Gluten Free Dorset Apple Cake
This Gluten Free Dorset Apple Cake is packed with tangy apple chunks, with a crunchy sugar topping. Perfect enjoyed warm with custard or cream, or sliced and served cold with a cup of tea.
Ingredients
- 1 large Bramley, Granny Smith or Windfall apple (approx 500g)
- 150g unsalted butter (softened)
- 150g light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 200g gluten free self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp mixed spice
- 2 tbsp demerera sugar
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C / Fan 160C / Gas Mark 4. Grease an 8-inch (20cm) round baking tin and line with baking paper. Set to one side.
- Peel and core the apple and then chop it into 2cm chunks.
- Add the butter and light brown sugar to a large mixing bowl and cream together for 1-2 minutes with an electric whisk.
- Add the eggs and beat again for 30 seconds until combined.
- Mix the self-raising gluten free flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, cinnamon and mixed spice together in a separate bowl then add to the cake mix. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, mix together until just combined - do not over-mix.
- Add the apple chunks and fold in so they are distributed evenly. Pour the mix into the lined cake tin and smooth out in an even layer. Sprinkle the demerera sugar on top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out smooth. Remove from the oven and cool for at least 30 minutes before removing from the tin. Serve warm with custard, ice-cream or clotted cream, or enjoy a slice cold with a cuppa.
Notes
- If you don't have self-raising flour, make your own by mixing 200g plain gluten free flour with 2 tsp baking powder.
- You don't have to add the extra xanthan gum if your flour mix already contains it and you don't want to/can't tolerate it. However, I do as I find it improves the texture - a little goes a long way!
- Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days. To freeze, cool completely then slice the cake up and freeze the slices between sheets of baking paper so they don't stick together.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 241Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 262mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 2gSugar: 18gProtein: 3g
Need more gluten free recipe inspiration?
Here are some more gluten free baking recipes you can try out once you’ve made this Gluten Free Dorset Apple Cake recipe.
- Jam Roly Poly Pudding
- Sticky Toffee Apple Upside-Down Cake
- Blackberry and Apple Crumble
- Salted Caramel and Apple Loaf Cake
If you do make this recipe please let me know! I’d love to see your photos using #theglutenfreeblogger, share them in my Facebook group or tag me on Instagram.
If you have any recipe suggestions, please let me know in the comments what you’d like to see next!
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About the author
Sarah Howells is a UK gluten free blogger and author. She has been living with coeliac disease since 2002. Her debut recipe book, Delicious Gluten Free Meals, is out now in the UK and to pre-order in the US.
