Dairy Free Caramel Apple Cake

Apple desserts are always a favorite in my house, especially when the weather starts to cool down.

Today I am sharing my recipe for a soft and moist dairy free caramel apple cake.

Traditional caramel desserts usually rely on heavy cream and butter, which can be tough if you cannot eat dairy.

I made sure this recipe uses simple plant based swaps so everyone can enjoy a rich slice without any stomach trouble.

The fresh Honeycrisp apples bake right into the spiced batter, and the homemade caramel on top pulls everything together nicely.

Why This Recipe Is a Keeper

True Dairy-Free Indulgence – You get all the rich caramel and buttery flavor you love without using a single drop of dairy.

Unbeatable Fall Flavor – Fresh Honeycrisp apples, warm cinnamon, and sweet brown sugar create the ultimate cozy flavor in every bite.

Irresistible Caramel Frosting – This homemade boiled caramel frosting turns thick, glossy, and melts directly into the tender crumb.

Incredible Moist Texture – The fresh apples release natural juices while baking to keep this cake wonderfully soft and tender.

Here’s What You’ll Need

For the Cake

• 1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 1 1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
• 3/4 cup Dairy Free Butter, Melted
• 1 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 3 Large Eggs, Room Temperature
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 3 cups Peeled & Diced Honeycrisp Apples

For the Caramel Frosting

• 1/2 cup Dairy Free Butter
• 1 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar, Sifted
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp Flaky Sea Salt

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Stir the almond milk and apple cider vinegar together and set aside for 5 minutes.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, vanilla, and almond milk mixture until well combined.

Step 4

Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a spatula just until combined, then fold in the diced apples. Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Step 5

Bake for 38 to 45 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1 1/2 hours.

Step 6

For the frosting, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stir in the brown sugar, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Carefully stir in the almond milk, return to a boil, then remove from the heat and cool for 10 minutes.

Step 7

Beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla with a hand mixer until thick, smooth, and spreadable. Immediately spread the caramel frosting over the cooled cake, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and let it set for 20 minutes before slicing.

Recipe Tips

Use Stick Butter Instead of Tub Spread

I recommend using block or stick dairy-free butter rather than the kind sold in plastic tubs.

Tub spreads have a much higher water content that can make your cake gummy and thin out your caramel frosting.

Stick versions give you the right fat balance to create a rich, tender crumb that bakes evenly.

Chop the Apples into Small Even Pieces

You’ll get the best results if you cut your Honeycrisp apples into small quarter-inch cubes.

If the chunks are too large, their weight will pull them down to the bottom of the pan and create wet spots in your cake.

Keeping them small ensures every single slice has sweet apple flavor distributed evenly throughout the thick batter.

Let the Melted Butter Cool Before Mixing

After melting your dairy-free butter, let it sit on the counter for about five minutes until it feels warm instead of hot.

If you whisk hot butter directly into your eggs, the heat can start cooking the eggs before the cake even enters the oven.

Warm butter blends smoothly with the sugars without changing the texture of your eggs.

What to Make Next

• Dairy Free Apple Cider Donut Ice Cream
• Dairy Free Apple Crisp
• Dairy Free Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
• Dairy Free Salted Caramel Layer Cake
• Dairy Free Sticky Toffee Pudding

Popular Questions

Can I use a different type of apple besides Honeycrisp?

Yes, any firm baking apple like Granny Smith, Gala, or Pink Lady works nicely in this cake.

Just be sure to pick a crisp variety that holds its shape so the diced pieces do not turn into mush while baking.