This Layered Apple Oat Cake is a wholesome and naturally sweetened dessert featuring a hearty oat and coconut base, a soft apple-lemon filling, crunchy peanuts, and a golden oat crumble topping. It’s finished with melted sugar-free chocolate and fragrant garnishes like mint, lemon, and herbal tea leaves. Rich in flavor, texture, and nutrients, this cake is a delicious way to enjoy a comforting dessert without refined sugar. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack, a tea-time treat, or a light dessert, this oat-based apple cake is perfect for the whole family.
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 8–10 slices
Cuisine: Whole-food, Plant-forward, European-inspired
Ingredients
Base Layer:
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100g whole oat flakes
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100g wholemeal flour (or ground oat flakes)
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80ml yogurt (or sour cream)
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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½ tablespoon ground ginger
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2 tablespoons coconut butter (or coconut oil)
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Zest of 1 lemon
Peanut Layer:
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60g roasted peanuts, ground into coarse crumbs
Fruit Filling:
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2–3 apples, grated or chopped
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2 tablespoons sultanas
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1 lemon, peeled, deseeded, and blended into a puree
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1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup, stevia, or sweetener of choice)
Crumble Topping:
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3 tablespoons whole oat flakes
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1 tablespoon coconut oil
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1 tablespoon cane sugar (or sweetener of choice)
Chocolate Glaze (Optional):
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Sugar-free chocolate
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2 tablespoons boiling water
Garnish (Optional):
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Lemon slices
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Fresh mint
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Gomphrena flowers or dried edible tea flowers
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Green tea leaves
Step-by-Step Cooking Directions
Make the oat dough base
In a mixing bowl, combine whole oat flakes and wholemeal flour. Add the yogurt, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, coconut butter, and lemon zest. Use your hands to knead everything together until a crumbly dough forms. The mixture should hold when pressed but remain loose.
Form the base
Pour the dough into a greased or parchment-lined baking pan. Press it down evenly and firmly using your fingers or the back of a spoon to form the first layer.
Prepare the peanut layer
Grind the roasted peanuts into coarse crumbs using a food processor or mortar and pestle. Spread them evenly over the oat base to form the second layer.
Hydrate the sultanas
Place the sultanas in a small bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them soak for a few minutes to plump up, then drain and set aside.
Prepare the apple filling
Grate or finely chop the apples. Cut the lemon in half, remove the white pith and seeds, and blend the flesh into a smooth puree. Add the lemon puree and drained sultanas to the apples. Mix in your chosen sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or stevia). Stir until well combined.
Spread the fruit layer
Spoon the apple mixture evenly over the peanut layer, smoothing it out to the edges. This is the juicy third layer.
Make the oat crumble topping
In a separate bowl, combine whole oat flakes, coconut oil, and cane sugar. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apple filling as the fourth layer.
Bake the cake
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp. The apple layer should be bubbling slightly and the crumble firm to the touch.
Prepare the chocolate glaze (optional)
Melt sugar-free chocolate with boiling water to make a smooth glaze. Stir until silky and drizzle over the cooled cake.
Cool and garnish
Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing. Garnish with fresh mint leaves, lemon slices, gomphrena flowers, and green tea leaves for a beautiful natural presentation.
Serve and enjoy
Slice the cake and enjoy with tea, coffee, or on its own. It’s perfect warm or chilled and makes a delicious, nourishing snack or dessert.
Nutritional Information (per slice – based on 10 slices)
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Calories: 210
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Protein: 5g
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Carbohydrates: 25g
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Fat: 11g
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Fiber: 4g
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Natural sugars: 7g
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Sodium: 120mg
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Vitamin C: 12% DV
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Iron: 10% DV
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Calcium: 6% DV
The Origins and Popularity of the Recipe
This recipe is inspired by European apple cakes, rustic fruit tarts, and modern whole-food baking trends that avoid refined sugar and flour. Combining classic ingredients like oats, apples, and lemon with health-conscious swaps like yogurt, coconut butter, and natural sweeteners, it’s a perfect representation of today’s wholesome comfort food movement.
It’s particularly popular among those following refined sugar-free, vegetarian, and clean-eating diets, and thanks to its use of basic pantry staples, it’s both accessible and affordable for home bakers.
Reasons Why You’ll Love the Recipe
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Naturally sweetened with honey, fruit, and optional stevia
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No refined sugar or white flour
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Rich in fiber and nutrients from oats, apples, and peanuts
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Crispy base and crumble topping with a juicy middle
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Easy to make with pantry ingredients
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Beautiful presentation with simple garnishes
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Customizable with your favorite fruit, nuts, and spices
Health Benefits
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Oats are rich in soluble fiber (beta-glucan) for heart and gut health
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Apples provide vitamin C, antioxidants, and natural sweetness
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Peanuts add protein and healthy fats
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Lemon helps with digestion and adds vitamin C
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Yogurt contributes probiotics and calcium
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Coconut oil offers medium-chain fatty acids, which are easy to digest
This cake supports digestion, energy levels, and immune health, all while being easy on the blood sugar.
Serving Suggestions
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Warm with tea – perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea
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With a dollop of yogurt or coconut cream
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As a refined-sugar-free dessert after dinner
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With sliced fruit or berries for a fresh finish
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With black tea, herbal infusions, or lemon-mint iced tea
Cooking Tips
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Soak sultanas well – this prevents dryness and ensures plumpness
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Grate apples finely – for an even, moist filling
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Don’t overbake – keep the cake moist by checking at 35 minutes
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Let cool before cutting – to allow the layers to firm up
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Use parchment paper – for easy lifting from the pan
Variations to Try
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Use pears or plums instead of apples
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Add walnuts or sunflower seeds to the peanut layer
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Spice it up with cardamom or nutmeg
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Top with coconut flakes or sesame seeds
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Make it gluten-free by using certified GF oats and oat flour
Conclusion
This Layered Apple Oat Cake with peanuts, sultanas, lemon, and sweet spices is the perfect blend of comfort and nutrition. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to make again and again—simple enough for everyday baking, yet elegant enough for gatherings and special occasions. Whether you’re following a refined sugar-free diet or just looking for a wholesome treat that everyone can enjoy, this cake is soft, crunchy, sweet, and absolutely satisfying.
FAQ
1. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use certified gluten-free oats and substitute oat flour or almond flour for the wheat flour.
2. What can I use instead of honey?
Try maple syrup, agave, or stevia (adjust quantity to taste).
3. Can I make it vegan?
Yes! Use plant-based yogurt and maple syrup instead of honey.
4. Can I store leftovers?
Absolutely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
5. Can I freeze this cake?
Yes. Slice and freeze individually. Thaw in the fridge or reheat slightly in the oven.
6. What size pan should I use?
An 8-inch (20 cm) square or round pan works well.
7. Can I skip the chocolate topping?
Yes! It’s optional, but adds a nice finish.
8. Can I add raisins instead of sultanas?
Definitely. Just soak and drain as you would the sultanas.
9. Can I make mini versions of this cake?
Yes. Use muffin tins and reduce baking time to 25–30 minutes.
10. What can I serve this with?
Try plain yogurt, a drizzle of honey, or herbal tea for a cozy experience.