This stewed apple cake, infused with comforting spices and delectable apples, is both gluten-free and free from refined sugar, making it a lower-carb option. This delightful teatime treat is a breeze to prepare in just one bowl, although it requires some additional effort due to the inclusion of my irresistible gingerbread stewed apples.

ginger apple cake on baking paper and a cooling rack

I love autumn and apple season. As we are very fortunate to have a beautiful Bramley apple tree at the bottom of our garden, I spend a lot of time stewing the harvest from our tree, which for the perfect, slightly crunchy method I prefer, make sure to check out my recipe for STEWED APPLES (NO SUGAR)- 3 WAYS.

Apart from enjoying the stewed apples at breakfast time in OVERNIGHT OATS WITH STEWED APPLE and of course in the ultimate dessert APPLE CRUMBLE WITH OATS NO FLOUR. These stewed apples are fantastic in cake too!

This Stewed Apple Cake recipe is great for those with gluten sensitivities and caters to individuals mindful of their carbohydrate intake. It is also designed to be a delicious diabetic-friendly dessert, ensuring a sweet treat that considers both taste preferences and blood glucose management.

complete ginger apple cake cut in squares

Imagine every bite bursting with the natural sweetness of stewed apples, bringing you the joy of a homemade dessert without the sugar overload. So, whether you’re dodging gluten, counting carbs, or navigating the diabetic life, our Stewed Apple Cake is here to make your taste buds do a happy dance.

Why choose a gluten-free and lower-carb dessert like Stewed Apple Cake?

Choosing a gluten-free and lower-carb dessert like Stewed Apple Cake offers several benefits, making it a favourable option for various dietary preferences and health-conscious individuals. Here are some reasons why you should try this delicious recipe:

Blood Sugar Management

People living with diabetes or those aiming to maintain stable blood sugar levels often prefer desserts that won’t cause rapid spikes in blood glucose levels

This lower-carb and sugar-free Stewed Apple Cake is the perfect choice, as it minimizes the impact on blood sugar while still offering sweetness.

Gluten Sensitivity or Celiac Disease

People with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease need to avoid gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains.

this gluten-free apple cake allows individuals with these conditions to indulge in a delicious dessert without triggering adverse reactions.

Low-Carb Lifestyle

For those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, traditional desserts with high carbohydrate content can be challenging.

This low carb Apple Cake provides a sweet treat without the excess carbs, making it suitable for individuals managing their carbohydrate intake.

Overall Health Consciousness

Many people today are adopting healthier eating habits and are more conscious of the ingredients they consume.

This tasty dessert is full of wholefoods without any added hidden nasties which will support your nutritional needs and dietary choices.

Is Stewed Apple Cake suitable for diabetics?

Yes, this No added sugar Apple Cake is suitable for individuals with diabetes and has been purposefully created with diabetes management in mind. This recipe:

Has No Added Sugar – it uses a sugar substitute, xylitol. This is a nutritive 1:1 substitute for sugar and I find it works really well in baking and cooking.

You can find a list of my recommended sugar substitute products that I use on my shop page!

Xylitol is my sweetener of choice due to its low glycaemic index, it doesn’t have a funny taste profile and we found that it doesn’t cause a rise in blood glucose levels. But you can read more about Xylitol and other sugar substitutes in the article below.

Sugar Substitutes and Diabetes Management

The world of sugar substitutes and type 1 diabetes can be confusing. This guide explores substitutes in the UK and diabetes management

Read Now

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sweeteners and quantities in my sweet treat recipes. It may take a few attempts to find your preference as we all have different palates.

Uses Low-Glycemic Ingredients – low glycemic index ingredients help to manage blood sugar levels more effectively. For example, using almond flour instead of traditional flour is one such switch that contributes to a lower glycemic load.

Has Balanced Carbohydrates – Using alternative flours and reducing the amount of added sugars helps to create a diabetic-friendly dessert that is lower in carbs.

Includes Fiber-Rich Ingredients – Including fibre-rich ingredients, such as whole apples and almond flour, can help slow down the absorption of sugars and contribute to better blood sugar control.

What you will need to make Low Carb apple cake

Gluten-free Buckwheat flour

Adds an extra nutty flavour

Plus it contains more nutrients as it is less refined

I use a Doves Farm Buckwheat Flour

Almond flour/ground almonds

Adds an extra nutty flavour and is a great no carb count option for diabetes management

Most UK supermarkets sell ground almonds but they can be a bit more expensive.

See my favourite products that I use on my shop page!

Ginger

A combination of fresh and ground ginger

Adds a wonderful warmth to the cake

Mixed spice

Adds a little extra spicy depth

Baking powder

I use Gluten-free

Essential for adding air and lightness to your bakes

Bicarbonate of soda

an alkali that is used to raise full-flavoured cakes

Sweeteners

I use Xylitol

See the section above for more information

Stewed apples

See my recipe for STEWED APPLES (NO SUGAR)- 3 WAYS

I Use the gingerbread version but feel free to use the plain as well

Eggs

A key component to any bake and should be free-range

Sunflower/vegetable oil

using oil instead of butter helps to make this cake super moist

hand holding square of ginger apple cake

How to make Stewed apple cake

Despite the rather long list of ingredients for this cake, it is actually a pretty easy cake to make that can be made in one bowl and without an electric mixer if you prefer.

Step 1

The first part of this recipe is to prepare your stewed apple. See my recipe for STEWED APPLES (NO SUGAR)- 3 WAYS and make the gingerbread version for extra spice or the plain for a little less ginger kick

Step 2

Once you have your stewed apple made it’s time for the cake! Preheat the oven to 170C/150C Fan. Grease and line a 20×20 square cake tin with baking parchment.

Tip – Make parchment handles underneath to help you lift the cake out.

Step 3

Mix the flours, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, gingers, mixed spice and sugars in a large bowl. Stir well until all ingredients are combined.

Step 4

Then in a measuring jug, whisk together the eggs and oil. Once all combined add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and combine well.

Step 5

Pour half of the cake mixture into the prepared cake tin ensuring that the bottom is covered. Now add 300g of your stewed apple making sure that it is evenly distributed. Finally, Pour over the rest of the cake mixture and add the remaining 30g of stewed apple on top. Again making sure it is evenly distributed around the tin.

Step 6

Bake the cake in the oven for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes and Leave the cake to completely cool before turning it out.

Helpful Baking Tips

Always use a digital kitchen scale for baking as it guarantees the best results for your cakes and bakes.

Choose the Right Apples: I always use bramley apples for my stewed apples as they cook the best without creating a rubbery mess and have a wonderful tartness to ofset against teh sweetness of this cake

Ensure that the cold ingredients (eggs) are at room temperature: They will mix better in the batter and rise more easily.

Incorporate Extra Fiber-Rich Ingredients: Enhance the nutritional value of this cake by adding fiber-rich ingredients such as ground flaxseed or chia seeds. This contributes to an even more wholesome dessert.

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Gently fold the ingredients together to avoid overmixing, which can lead to a dense texture. A light hand ensures a fluffy and moist Stewed Apple Cake.

Adjust Spices to Taste: Adjust the spice levels accordingly to your taste. Experiment with adding extra cinnamon, nutmeg, or even more ginger for a personalised flavor profile.

Serve the apple traybake cake with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra decadent dessert.

How to store apple cake

This cake will keep happily in a cake tin or wrapped in tin foil at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.

More Easy & Delicious Diabetic Recipes for BALANCED Blood SugARS:

Diabetes Note

This cake is a wonderful lower carb count option. Because of the use of almond flour and sugar alternatives, the overall carb count is dramatically reduced. We have found making some switches to reduce the carb count can help to avoid some of those blood glucose spikes.

If you would like to read more about this then check out my post on THE BENEFITS OF A WHOLE FOOD DIET AND DIABETES.

Carb Counting

The overall carb count for one serving (one slice out of 9) of this ginger apple cake, based on the ingredients we would count is:

150g of gluten free buckwheat flour (Doves Farm) = 102g of carbs
330g of stewed gingerbread apples = 32g of carbs

Now add all the carbs together – 102+32 = 134g of carbs for the whole cake

For one square of cake, divide this by the serving size of 9 slices – 134/9 = 15g of carb per slice

Please note this carb count amount per portion is based on the standard ingredients listed above and may differ depending on what you use and how much you choose to eat.

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