Easy and Healthier Refined Sugar Free Apple Cake

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Our easy and healthier refined sugar free apple cake is pure perfection. Heathy substitutions with sugar substitutes and whole wheat flour add. up to a dessert you can feel good about.

It is still a scratch made cake which is great on its own and easy to make with regular ingredients too! The whole family will love this taste of Fall.

A piece of apple cinnamon cake on a decorative plate with a dollop of whipped cream beside it. A fork is placed next to the plate, and the background shows the rest of the cake in a blue baking dish.

This easy and healthier refined sugar free apple cake will quickly become a favorite in your home as it has in ours. Much like our INSTANT POT PULLED PORK TENDERLOIN, we make simple sugar substitutions that pack all of the flavor without all of the extra.

Ingredients

Very much a scratch made cake, we don’t skimp or substitute on traditional, southern ways of making heirloom desserts.

By using a cup for cup sugar substitute and whole wheat flour, we get the same moist cake and apple flavor you’d expect with any fresh apple cake recipe.

A square slice of apple cake sits on a green floral-patterned plate with a fork next to it. The rest of the cake is in a blue baking dish to the top left. The image has a wooden background.

Sliced apples – we like golden or red delicious so they will cook down a bit.
Cinnamon – cinnamon and apples just go together!
Brown Sugar substitute – Swerve is our favorite!
Eggs – cakes need them and we love them!
Applesauce – a popular substitute for sugar as well as oil in baking recipes.
Butter – for binding and flavor
Vanilla – for added warmth to the cake.
Wheat Flour – unbleached and less processed makes this a good alternative to processed white flours.
Salt – to enhance the sweetness of the cake.
Baking soda – to help give rise and a bit of balance to all of the sweetness of the ingredients.
Granulated sugar substitute – cup for cup alternatives are readily avaliable and takes the guess work out of the recipe.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

We talk about baking recipes often and how lots of people look at them and get overwhelmed pretty easily. It looks like a ton of work but it is really not. Always measure exactly as the recipe is written and be patient and you will be super happy.

A wooden cutting board on a stovetop holds a mixing bowl with sliced apples, two cracked eggs in a clear bowl, a stick of butter, vanilla extract, a measuring cup with brown sugar, a spoon, and a small container with cinnamon.

Add sliced or chopped apples to a medium bowl.

The image shows a wooden countertop with various cooking items laid out. There are a measuring cup filled with sliced apples and brown sugar, a small dish with vanilla extract, a stick of butter, a bowl containing three eggs, and a teaspoon with a jar of apple sauce.

Add in cinnamon and brown sugar substitute and mix well. Set aside.

A top-down view of a wooden countertop with baking ingredients. A hand holds a measuring spoon above a bowl with flour. Nearby are three cracked eggs in a bowl, butter, a jar of honey, and a bottle of vanilla extract. A gas stove is visible in the background.

In a medium bowl, add whole wheat flour, salt, and baking soda.

A kitchen counter with a wooden cutting board displaying a stick of butter, a bottle of vanilla extract, a bowl containing three eggs, a jar of honey, and a bowl with flour and sugar. The items are placed next to a stove with black burners.

Whisk or sift and add granulated sugar replacement.

A person is holding a glass bowl with three cracked eggs over a white mixing bowl on a wooden cutting board. Nearby, there is a jar of a yellow substance, a small dark bottle, and unwrapped butter on the counter. A stove burner is visible to the left.

In a large bowl, add eggs and whisk til white are mixed with yolks well.

A person is pouring a liquid mixture from a glass measuring cup into a white bowl on a wooden cutting board. Nearby are a jar of honey, a small bottle, a butter stick, and a metal measuring spoon. The cutting board is placed on a stove.

Mix in applesauce.

A white mixing bowl placed on a wooden board, containing a stick of butter, two eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Surrounding the bowl are a whisk, a hand mixer, a jar of honey, a teaspoon, and a bowl of flour on a stovetop.

Add in softened butter to wet ingredients. Using a whisk or hand mixer, mix until combined.

A person is pouring a dry mixture from a white bowl into a large mixing bowl containing a yellow batter. The scene is set on a wooden countertop with a whisk, a small measuring spoon, and a jar of honey nearby. The person's hands and wristwatch are visible.

Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well, preferably by hand or on low speed.

A mixing bowl partially filled with brown batter and topped with a layer of flour sits on a wooden board. Next to it, there's an open jar of honey, a spatula, and a tablespoon measuring spoon. The setup is on a stovetop with metal burner grates.

Mix in other half of dry ingredients to cake batter. Mix just until combined, careful not to overtax.

A person is spreading batter evenly in a rectangular blue baking dish using a spatula. To the left, a white mixing bowl with remnants of batter sits on a wooden cutting board. The scene is in a kitchen, with a stove partially visible.

Spread half of the cake batter into a cake pan or casserole pan that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray.

A blue baking dish filled with a mixture of sliced apples and cinnamon batter on a wooden cutting board. Next to it is a white bowl with remaining batter and a spatula resting inside. The setup is on a stovetop.

Top with half of the prepared apple and cinnamon mixture and spread as evenly as you can.

A blue baking dish contains apple slices mixed into a baked batter. The dish is placed on a wooden cutting board, which is set on a stove with visible burners on either side. The apple dessert appears golden brown.

Add the last half of the cake batter and then the apples. Spread both as evenly as possible.

A baked apple dessert in a blue rectangular baking dish is on a wooden surface. A square portion is served on a green-patterned plate with a fork, featuring chunks of apples on top and some ice cream on the side.

Bake at 350° F for 45 to 60 minutes or until internal temperature reads 205°. Allow to cool before serving.

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

The holidays are really all about the desserts and sweets. As we get older, we may have family and friends who need to watch their sugar. Recipes like this one helps them not feel left out. While lower sugar desserts still have to be enjoyed in moderation, it still offers something for everyone!

Variations and Substitutions

Here are some simple ideas and suggestions to fit any need you may have for this recipe.

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Sugar – feel free to use refined sugar here. The measurements are the same but the nutritional values will not be.
Flour – while I love using what you have on hand, I do also believe in being intentional when cooking for health. If you wish, feel free to use traditional flour but it will also differ nutritionally.
Apples – any apple will do depending on the result you are looking for. A melt in your mouth apple will be a delicious variety while a green will stand up to baking a bit more.
Cinnamon – all spice, star anise, nutmeg or any other warm spice will work as well if you do not want to use cinnamon. Cinnamon allergies are common and other spices will work just fine.

Equipment

🔧 I love to share recipes that are no special equipment required but here are a few things that would definitely make this recipe easier!

APPLE SLICER/CORER
BAKEWARE
MY FAVORITE SUGAR SUBSTITUTE FOR BAKING

Storage

This cake is fine at room temperature, covered for up to 3 days. You may also refrigerate it for up to 5 days.

While the apples may get a big soggy, this is a rather good cake to freeze. Freeze wrapped really well in freezer safe items for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature.

A slice of apple cake on a decorative plate with a dollop of cream beside it. The cake, which is in a blue baking dish, has a golden-brown crust and visible apple pieces. A fork rests on the wooden table next to the plate.

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A close-up of a baked apple cake in a square metal pan. The cake's surface is golden brown with visible pieces of apple and a slightly cracked texture.

Easy and Healthier Refined Sugar Free Apple Cake

This healthier apple cake recipe is one you will love and no-one will know it is better for you. We use sugar alternative that are cup for cup so baking is a cinch. We also use apple sauce as well as whole wheat flour for a better option for everyone!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Serving Size

Ingredients

4 cups sliced apples
2 tsps cinnamon ground
1/3 cup swerve brown sugar
3 eggs
2 cups applesauce unsweetened
1/2 cup butter softened
2 tsps vanilla
3 cups wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup swerve granulated

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9×13 casserole or cake pan. In a medium bowl, mix sliced or chopped apples, cinnamon and brown sugar replacement, coating well.
4 cups sliced apples, 2 tsps cinnamon, 1/3 cup swerve brown sugar
In a large bowl, mix eggs, applesauce, butter and vanilla. Mix well.
3 eggs, 2 cups applesauce, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tsps vanilla
In another bowl, mix whole wheat flour, salt, baking soda and granulated sugar substitute. Whisk or sift to combine. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and combine. Do not overmix.
3 cups wheat flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 cup swerve granulated
Add half of the cake batter to the prepared pan. Top with half of the prepared apples and spread as evenly as possible. Add last half of cake batter and top with remainder of apples. Distributing both as evenly as possible.
Bake 45 to 60 minutes. Checking often. Cake will be done when reaches internal temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool before serving.

See How To Make It!

🍴 PRO TIP!

Cakes made with wheat flour and almond flour tend to brown much quicker. Do not be deceived! To insure your cake is ready when brown, make sure you test the internal temperature for done-ness at 205 F. I always pull mine at 195-200 and while it cools it will finish the cooking process. The cake will be very brown but not burnt!

🗹 RECIPE FAQ’S

What kind of pan is best for low sugar apple cake?

I used a casserole pan. I love a sheet cake type of cake but this cake can be made in a layer cake pan, a springform pan, bundt or even loaf pans. Just make sure you check the internal temp of the cake often to make sure the cook time still fits for the pan you are using.

What type of apples is best for apple cake?

It depends on the result you are looking for. We use red or golden delicious apples to get the melt in your mouth consistency of the apple for this cake. If you were looking for a crisper apple in your cake, we suggest using Granny Smith apples.

Should my apples be chopped or sliced?

That too, is preference. We slice ours for visual purposes so you will know it is apples, however, chopped apples work just fine and may be easier and quicker to process to use.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

🍽️ SERVING SUGGESTIONS. What goes great with this recipe? Let me tell you!

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this healthy apple cake:

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Reader Review

“I loved the freezer tips and made a double batch so we could enjoy some next week. This easy delicious recipe is a keeper.”

– Karen

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Easy and Healthier Refined Sugar Free Apple Cake

Ingredients

Instructions

Why Brooke loves this recipe!