Apple Spice Protein Cake
Apples. Cinnamon. Protein. Cake. Need I say more?
This delicious low-carb apple cake is guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters, and will still help you achieve that 1000 pound deadlift you have been striving for! 😉
I have long been a fan of anything apple flavored, and the day I realized I could no longer finish off an apple pie, or even indulge in one slice was a sad day for me. Even with no added sugars, the average apple has approximately 14 grams of sugar and 19 grams of carbohydrates, making them only permissible in very small amounts.
No longer could I indulge in a piece of apple pie (even with a low carb crust), and gone were the days of baked apples stuffed with brown sugar and cinnamon.
However, after doing some research I found I did not have to give up apple desserts all together! Apple flavoring was still an option, as well as using real apples in small amounts!
I went to work developing a low carb apple cake recipe that would be packed with apple pie flavor while limiting the amount of actual apples in there. After some work I was able to develop a recipe that not only did that, it also helped me achieve my protein goals at the same time!
By not being able to eat something that was really just a sugarcoated lie, I stumbled upon something bigger and better, and I am stoked to be able to share it with you!
I hope you like it every bit as much as I do!
Ingredient List
2 3/4 Cup Finely Ground Almond Flour
1/2 Cup Vanilla Mölk
1/2 Cup Monkfruit/Erythritol Blend
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
3 Large Eggs
1/2 Cup Butter (Melted)
1/3 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Apple Flavoring
1/4 Cup of Diced Apples ( If you are very sensitive to sugars or really watching your carb count, you can leave these out and can still enjoy this delicious apple-flavored cake!)
For The Topping
1/4 Cup Chopped Pecans
1 1/2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar Substitute
For best results on this recipe, I recommend using the ingredients I have linked to in the ingredients list. While yes, I am an affiliate and may receive compensation for any sales through these links, each ingredient is one I use on a regular basis and believe in wholeheartedly!
Specific brands of ingredients make a HUGE difference in the outcome of baked goods, and this is amplified when baking low carb.
For example, I only use Blue Diamond’s almond flour because it is a finer grind than most. If you decide to cut corners and use a cheaper and courser flour, you may find your cake to be lacking in that cake-like texture you were after and will have a dry, crumbly cake.
If you choose to use a different sweetener, your cake may be too sweet or not sweet enough. I chose this particular monk fruit blend because it had good flavor, next to no aftertaste, and paired the best with my Jocko Mölk protein powder. And if you are tempted to cut corners on the protein powder and try something besides Jocko Mölk, I most definitely cannot guarantee you ever hit that 1000 pound deadlift and the flavor and texture of your cake may be disappointing as well! 🙂
How to Make Apple Spice Protein Cake
One of the many great things about this apple spice protein cake is, it is very easy to make! While there may be several ingredients, it’s definitely not rocket science and even the newest of bakers can make this low carb cake without a hitch!
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Next grease an 8-inch square pan with either an olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray.
Add all of your dry ingredients (almond flour, protein powder, sweetener, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg) into a large mixing bowl. Using either a fork or a whisk mix the ingredients together until everything has been evenly distributed.
Next, add your eggs, melted butter, almond milk, vanilla, and apple flavoring to the mixture. Whisk together, until you have a nice smooth batter and everything has been well incorporated.
Grab a small apple of your choice, and cut it into quarters. Using a knife carefully remove the core from each quarter, then dice it into small pieces, leaving the peel on. Once you have diced your apple, stir it into the batter until evenly distributed.
When I made this recipe I used a small apple from the tree in my front yard, and it was just the right amount of apple for me! However, I know most store bought apples will be considerably larger than my tiny homegrown ones! More than likely you will only need about half of an apple. Either wrap and save the other half to use it in something else, or you may add extra apple if you would like, to the batter. Because I do have sugar issues and tightly monitor my sugars I only used 1/4 cup of diced apples, but if you choose to use more that is fine! Also if you have tighter diet restrictions and can’t have apples at all, this cake can still be made without the apples and taste delicious!
Once your batter has been mixed, and the apples have been added in, it’s time to make your streusel topping. In a small bowl combine your chopped pecans, brown sugar substitute, and cinnamon. Using a fork or whisk mix until everything has been evenly combined.
Pour your cake batter into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly in the pan.
Sprinkle the streusel topping over the cake batter and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the edges have begun to brown and the middle no longer jiggles when lightly shaken.
Pull your cake out of the oven, and let it cool completely before cutting and serving.
Cut the cake into nine equal slices, and enjoy!
For a real treat warm your cake slightly in the microwave and serve with a dollop of home made, sugar free, whipped cream! I had this life changing idea one morning, and this is how I have eaten almost every piece since!
Apple Spice Protein Cake
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 Cup Finely Ground Almond Flour
- 1/2 Cup Vanilla Mölk
- 1/2 Cup Monkfruit/Erythritol Blend
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter (Melted)
- 1/3 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1/2 Teaspoon Apple Flavoring
- 1/4 Cup Diced Apples (Optional)
Streusel
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Pecans
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar Substitute
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit and grease an 8-inch square pan with olive or avocado oil cooking spray.
- Add all your dry ingredients (almond flour, protein powder, sweetener, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg) into a large mixing bowl. Using either a fork or a whisk mix the ingredients together until everything has been evenly distributed.
- Next, add your eggs, melted butter, almond milk, vanilla, and apple flavoring to the mixture. Whisk together, until you have a nice smooth batter and everything has been well incorporated.
- Add the diced apples (if using) and stir again until they have been evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour your cake batter into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly in the pan.
- Make the streusel by combining all three ingredients in a small bowl, and mix together.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping over the cake batter and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the edges have begun to brown and the middle no longer jiggles when lightly shaken.
- Pull your cake out of the oven, and let it cool completely before cutting and serving. Cut it into nine equal slices, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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