Moist Banana Apple Cake made with grated apples, ripe bananas, cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts is an easy, fluffy, and soft treat that’s perfect as a delicious eggless and dairy-free dessert or snack.
This cozy bake is full of comforting flavor, delightfully spiced, and so tender that each bite melts in your mouth!
If you love simple vegan cake recipes, you’ll enjoy my fresh apricot cake and carob powder cake too.
Please note that the photos and ingredients of this recipe were updated recently.
This banana apple cake is incredibly tender and bursting with the cozy flavors of sweet apples and ripe bananas in every bite, just like my apple banana cookies.
The texture is soft and fluffy with a slight crunch from the walnuts, making it a total crowd-pleaser. My family can't get enough of it!
It’s a fantastic make-ahead treat that tastes even better the next day, as the flavors deepen and become even more irresistible.
Plus, it’s a great way to use up those ripe or overripe bananas sitting on your counter, just like my banana and blackberry bread or banana bread without baking soda.
Whether you're enjoying it on a crisp fall afternoon or as a year-round treat, this cake brings comfort and joy with every slice. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite. Bake it once, and you’ll see why it’s a keeper!
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🍏Ingredients and Substitutions
- Apples: Use your favorite variety. I usually go for something sweet like Golden Delicious, Fuji, or Gala. Grate them just before baking to keep the cake extra moist and flavorful.
- Bananas: Ripe or even overripe bananas work best here, giving the cake a rich flavor and tender crumb.
- Walnuts: I love adding crunchy walnuts for texture and a nutty contrast, but pecans or almonds would work too.
- Flour: I used all-purpose flour, but I’ve also tried spelt flour with great results if you want a slightly nuttier flavor and a whole-grain twist.
- Sugar: Cane sugar is my go-to for this recipe, but granulated or coconut sugar are excellent substitutes.
- Vegetable oil: Any neutral vegetable oil works well here. I used sunflower oil, but canola or grapeseed oil are perfect options too.
- Vanilla: Just a splash of vanilla extract lifts the flavors and adds that warm, comforting aroma we all love.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon gives that cozy spice that complements the apples and bananas beautifully.
- Baking soda + vinegar: This classic eggless combo is what makes the cake rise so nicely and keeps it light and fluffy every time.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is essential to balance the sweetness and bring out all the other flavors in the cake.
As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.
🔪How To Make Banana Apple Cake
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas.
Step 2: Add the grated apples, oil, vanilla, and vinegar. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Add the sugar, then sift in the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt directly into the bowl. Mix until just combined (don’t overmix).
Step 4: Fold in the chopped walnuts gently.
Step 5: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
Step 6: Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
📋Variations
- Citrus zest: Add the zest of an orange or lemon to brighten the flavors and add a refreshing zing.
- Chocolate chips: Fold in some dairy-free chocolate chips for a classic and crowd-pleasing addition.
- Gluten-free option: Try a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free version.
💡Marinela's Tips
- Prep your pan: To make sure your cake pops out easily, just grease your baking pan well before pouring in the batter.
- Use very ripe bananas: The spottier or blacker your bananas are, the better! They'll make your cake sweeter and super moist.
- Grate apples last: Grate your apples right before you add them. This keeps them fresh and juicy, which means a tender cake.
- Measure fruit in a cup: For both your mashed banana and grated apples, use a measuring cup to get the exact amount. This helps keep your cake perfectly balanced in flavor and moisture.
- Don't overmix: Once you've added the dry stuff, mix the batter just until it comes together. A few lumps are fine! Mixing too much makes cakes tough.
- Baking time: Since ovens vary, watch your cake closely and check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center (it should come out mostly clean); also, remember to adjust baking time if you use a different-sized pan.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate it to keep it fresh longer.
Absolutely! This cake freezes well. Wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Yes, you can omit the walnuts or swap them for seeds or another nut if you prefer a nut-free or different version.
🍰Vegan Dessert Recipes
- Chocolate avocado pudding
- Chickpea flour banana bread
- Coconut date balls
- No-bake tahini cookies
- Homemade dark chocolate
- Carrot cake pineapple muffins
📖 Recipe
Moist Banana Apple Cake (Vegan)
Equipment
- 8-inch round baking pan lightly greased
- Large bowl
- Grater
Ingredients
Wet ingredients
- 1 + ½ cup grated apples peeled (~2 apples)
- 1 cup ripe bananas mashed
- ¼ cup neutral vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry ingredients
- 1 + ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup raw walnuts finely chopped (measured before chopping)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large bowl, mash bananas.1 cup ripe bananas
- Add grated apples, oil, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix well.1 + ½ cup grated apples, ¼ cup neutral vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- Add sugar, then sift in flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir gently until just combined.1 + ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¾ cup cane sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Fold in chopped walnuts.1 cup raw walnuts
- Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if you like.
Notes
- Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Don’t scoop directly from the bag to avoid a dry cake.
- Use very ripe, spotted bananas for extra sweetness and moisture. Grate apples just before adding to keep them fresh and juicy.
- Measure both fruit ingredients in a cup.
- Stir just until combined, some lumps are okay! Overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Ovens vary, so test with a toothpick near the end; it should come out mostly clean. Adjust baking time if you use a different pan size.
Nutrition
If you try this banana apple cake, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @go_eatgreen on Instagram.
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Tavo says
It looks really amazing and wholesome! I will definitely be making this delicious fall dessert!
Marinela says
Thank you!
Ntalie says
A simple fall-inspired cake that is so delicious. oh, how I would love a slice right now with my coffee. I have to bake this cake for my family. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Marinela says
You're welcome Natalie, thank you for commenting!
Lucy says
This apple cake with cinnamon and walnuts are the perfect combination for the fall. Every mouthful is so delicious. The texture is so light, soft and moist. It's so much easier to make than other cakes too and I love that it doesn't require any expensive equipment. I can't wait to have this regularly! Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe!
Marinela says
Thanks for your lovely comment, Lucy!
Choclette says
I have to agree, apple cake is a must in the autumn. Yours sounds so healthy and wholesome and absolutely delicious. Any bakers using spelt flour get the thumbs up from me too.
Marinela says
Ohh yes, spelt flour is the best for making cakes or any kind of baking desserts. Thank you for commenting Choclette.
Emily says
We loved this moist and fluffy cake - it's perfect for fall! Thank you for sharing this wholesome and tasty recipe!
Marinela says
I'm glad you loved this easy apple cake, Emily, thank you for sharing your experience with this recipe!
Kayla DiMaggio says
This Cinnamon Apple Cake is beautiful and delicious! It has all the great flavors of Fall!
Marinela says
Thank you for your lovely comment, Kayla!
Chantry says
I can't wait to make this this weekend! It looks amazing!!!
Marinela says
Let me know how it went, Chantry! Thank you!
Anaiah says
This apple cake with cinnamon and walnuts turned out so beautifully. It tasted delicious and was perfect for a healthy after dinner dessert. And I'm sure leftovers are going to taste just as amazing for breakfast in the morning! Thanks for the lovely recipe, Marinela!
Marinela says
I'm happy you loved this fall apple cake, Anaiah. Ohh, yes, leftovers are great for breakfast, too! Thank you for your lovely comment, I appreciate it.
Joshua says
I will be making this apple cinnamon cake for my family this weekend. It looks wonderful and easy to make. You can't go wrong with an apple cinnamon combo!
Marinela says
That would be great Joshua, let me know how it went if you try this easy recipe. And thank you for commenting!
Aneta says
Sweat and pleasant 💚
Marinela says
Thank you, Aneta!