So proud of this apple crumble cake (plant-based)!

Made this insane cake today, and I'm so proud!

Apple cinnamon cake layers, salted caramel ermine buttercream, caramelised apple filling, and a crumble between the layers and on top, with a baked apple rose! 🥹

SO happy with how this turned out! It was so well balanced, so moist, not too sweet, and the tartness of the granny smith apples was perfect. The salty crumble was also the most EPIC addition for texture and flavour!

Honestly the best cake I've ever made and honestly maybe the best cake I've ever tasted (and I'm not actually vegan) 🍏

I don't have a recipe for the apple rose, it was just an experiment. But you will probs find instructions online!

Recipe (from a collaboration with chatgpt):

Apple Cake Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar (300g)
• 1 1/2 cups applesauce (375ml)
• 1 cup plant-based milk (e.g., oat or soy milk, 250ml)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (125ml)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced

Caramelized Apple Filling:

• 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (50g)
• 2 tablespoons vegan butter (30g)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Salted Caramel Ermine Frosting:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (90g)
• 2 1/4 cups plant-based milk (540ml)
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar (300g)
• 1/2 cup vegan butter (125g)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. For the Cake Layers:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line three 9-inch cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, applesauce, plant-based milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently to combine.
5. Fold in the diced apples.
6. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.

2. For the Caramelized Apple Filling:

1. Heat the vegan butter in a pan over medium heat until melted.
2. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir to coat the apples evenly.
3. Cook the apples for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until they soften and the caramel begins to thicken.
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before using in the cake.

3. For the Salted Caramel Ermine Frosting:

1. In a saucepan, whisk together the flour and plant-based milk. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens into a smooth, pudding-like consistency (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and cool completely.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the vegan butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Once the flour mixture has cooled, add it to the butter mixture and beat until smooth.
4. Add vanilla extract and sea salt. Continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

4. Assembling the Cake:

1. Place one cake layer on your serving plate.
2. Spread a layer of caramelized apples over the top.
3. Top with a generous layer of salted caramel ermine frosting.
4. Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the apple and frosting layers.
5. Top with the final cake layer and frost the top and sides with the remaining salted caramel ermine frosting.
6. **Decorate with any remaining caramelized apples