Gluten-Free Applesauce Streusel Loaf Cake Recipe

Delicious with Homemade Applesauce!
Using pantry ingredients, this satisfying loaf cake features an oat-streusel topping and is dotted with natural dried cranberries.

Applesauce Streusel Cake - It's Gluten Free — **Gluten Free Applesauce Streusel Cake – loaded with healthful ingredients**

I’m craving comfort food right now — this loaf cake smells marvelous as it bakes, with warm spices filling the kitchen. Comforting & addictive!

Baked with wholesome ingredients — (you can use regular flour if preferred). I added no-sugar dried cranberries from Trader Joe’s; feel free to use the dried fruit you have on hand, such as raisins, figs, or dates.

Oat flour is a terrific choice for gluten-free baking. It behaves much like wheat flour: absorbent and light, helping the cake stay moist yet fluffy. Buy organic oat flour or make your own by blitzing oats in a clean coffee or spice grinder until fine.

I developed this recipe during the COVID pandemic when some items were hard to find. I had basic pantry staples and a basket of Pink Lady apples, so I made a batch of homemade applesauce — the skins give it a lovely pink hue. (It’s delicious eaten by the spoonful.)

I always love a good loaf cake: not too sweet, satisfying, comforting, and perfect for a snack.

Ready to bake the applesauce loaf cake! The oat-streusel topping on top is gently pressed in — **Ready to bake! The oat-streusel topping is gently pressed on top**

I love the pressed-in streusel for a little crunch. It’s not overly rich—just the right amount of texture and flavor.

Applesauce Streusel Cake Out of the oven - cool and slice — **Out of the oven – cool and slice**

Applesauce Streusel Loaf Cake - Gluten Free — **Anytime is the right time for a delicious slice of applesauce loaf cake!**

Homemade Applesauce – My Favorite

– with a lovely pink hue and balanced sweetness

My applesauce keeps a bit of peel for color and flavor. It pairs wonderfully with savory dishes like latkes or sweet recipes such as this loaf cake.

Also see some applesauce-inspired treats:

**Baked Applesauce Donuts with Brown Butter Caramel Maple Glaze**

These bake in a donut tin and are lovely with either a caramel-maple glaze or cinnamon-sugar coating.

**Apple Crumb Cakes with Cardamom and Ginger**

These cakes layer sliced apples with a honey-sweetened crumb topping and warm spices.

Applesauce Linzer Bars (Gluten-Free Variation as well) — **Applesauce Linzer Bars (Gluten-Free Variation)**

These bars taste like apple crumb pie in handheld form—moderately sweet with comforting spices.

All smiles while baking!
Karen

Applesauce Streusel Loaf Cake – It’s Gluten Free

Delicious with homemade applesauce. This loaf cake has an oat-streusel topping and dried cranberries for a touch of tang.

Equipment

1 aluminized steel loaf pan, 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″

Ingredients

For the batter:

1/2 cup neutral oil (such as expeller-pressed safflower)
1/4 cup coconut palm sugar or light brown sugar
1/2 cup pure cane sugar (non-GMO)
1 large egg (preferably pasture-raised)
1 1/2 cups homemade applesauce (see notes)
1 3/4 cups gluten-free flour blend (or regular flour), such as Bob’s Mill 1-to-1
1/2 cup oat flour* (finely ground oats)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/3 cup dried natural cranberries (no-sugar if available)

Streusel Topping:

2 tablespoons neutral oil
1 1/2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar or light brown sugar
4 tablespoons oats
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

Make the homemade applesauce (or use store-bought). Prepare the streusel by combining the topping ingredients in a small bowl; mix and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a loaf pan with a strip of parchment paper with an overhang on the short sides for easy removal. Brush the pan with neutral oil.
In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, both sugars, and the egg. Stir in the applesauce until combined.
Add the gluten-free flour blend, oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and dried cranberries. Fold with a rubber spatula until combined—do not overmix.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the streusel over the batter in tablespoons to cover, then lightly press it down.
Bake 45–50 minutes, until the top is firm and slightly rounded and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan briefly, then lift the loaf out using the parchment overhang and finish cooling on a wire rack. Slice thickly and enjoy. The loaf freezes well—place waxed paper between slices before freezing.

Notes

See my Homemade Applesauce recipe for details on making applesauce. To make oat flour, blitz oats in a clean coffee grinder or spice grinder until a fine powder. This recipe is the intellectual property of its author, Karen Sheer, and may not be reproduced without consent.

Nutrition (approx.)

Per serving: Calories 332 kcal; Carbohydrates 44 g; Protein 4 g; Fat 17 g; Fiber 4 g; Sugar 21 g. (Nutrition is an estimate.)

Additional Info

Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American

Delicious with Homemade Applesauce! Using pantry ingredients, this satisfying loaf cake features an oat-streusel topping and is dotted with natural dried cranberries.