Sliced almondspearl sugar for topping cake (optional)
For the filling:
130gramsblanched almonds
130gramslight brown sugar
1vanilla podinside scraped out or 2 teaspoons vanilla paste
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
1stick113 grams vegan butter, room temperature
2-3high acid apples like Granny Smith
Lemon juicebrown sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling on apples
Instructions
To make the cake, combine the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the side of the bowls with a spatula as needed. Turn the speed on low and slowly add in the Just Eggs or applesauce and vanilla extract, beat until combined.
Sift in the flour, baking powder and spices and just fold in lightly using a spatula (do not overmix). Set aside.
To make the filling, add the almonds and brown sugar into a high speed blender and blend until a thick paste is formed. Transfer into a bowl and add in the vanilla paste, cinnamon and butter and mix together with a wooden spoon or spatula until smooth.
Finally, core, peel and dice the apples, place them in a bowl and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over them along with a sprinkle of additional brown sugar and cinnamon.
Prepare a 9-inch (23 cm) round baking pan, either lining it with parchment paper or generously butter it if using a springform pan. Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃).
Pour a little over half the cake batter into the pan, smooth out evenly across the pan, then add about half the almond-sugar paste, then top with a couple of handfuls of the sliced apples, lightly pushing them into the batter.
Repeat with a layer of the remaining cake batter, half of the remaining almond-sugar paste and then some diced apples. Top with the remaining almond-sugar mixture, sprinkle with some sliced almonds and pearl sugar if desired.
Bake in the middle of the oven for about 50 minutes until the edges firm up and golden brown up top (use a cake tester to check if cake is done, sometimes it can take a little longer depending on your oven).
Serve cake with some whipped vegan cream (like Silk or Violife’s heavy whipping cream) or some vegan vanilla ice cream and of course.. A glass of Eden Cider’s Heirloom Blend Ice Cider!