Easy apple cake bars that are just two ingredients and don’t require any baking or cooking! These cake bars also don’t contain any wheat flour, butter, oil, eggs or refined sugar. The cake bars are sweet, moist and make a great snack.
I love making no bake desserts. They are perfect when I’m tired and busy and don’t have time for a traditional baked dessert. These cake bars take only about 5 minutes to prepare. They are sweet and moist and taste like cake balls in cake bar form.
Ingredients
- Applesauce
- Coconut Flour
Applesauce
You can use sweetened or unsweetened. I used unsweetened. The cake bars were still sweet enough for me using unsweetened applesauce. Of course, if you want something sweeter, you can use sweetened applesauce (thought most sweetened applesauce contains refined sugar). You can also use either homemade applesauce or store bought applesauce.
If you are looking to use a different fruit, I’ve also made a banana version that I really love.
Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is used in this recipe to provide the flour element for the cake. Coconut flour is made from coconut flesh that is dried and than ground into a powder, creating a consistency very similar to flour. Coconut flour is highly absorbent which is why it works for this recipe. It will absorb a lot of the moisture from the applesauce and soften and expand, creating a cake-like texture. It also is naturally sweet so it won’t cut into the sweetness of the apple cake. If you do not like the taste of coconut, then this recipe may not be for you. You do taste the coconut in coconut flour, though it is mild. It adds a little bit of a tropical flavor to this cake.
I’ve had success buying coconut flour at most of my local grocery stores, usually located in the baking aisle. They come in small bags located with other specialty flour substitutes. I usually buy mine from Whole Foods or on Amazon.
Homemade Applesauce
I prefer making these cake bars with homemade applesauce but you can definitely use store bought applesauce. I like using homemade because I make mine thicker and slightly chunkier, which gives these bars more apple flavor. I found when I used the store bought applesauce, I could still taste the apple flavor but it wasn’t as strong.
I’ve never shared my recipe for homemade applesauce because it’s pretty basic. Peel, core and slice your apples. Boil the apple slices in water until they are very soft. Drain from water and then mash the apples by hand, in a food processor, or a blender until the applesauce reaches your desired consistency. If your applesauce is too thick, you can add a little water. If your apples are not very sweet, you can add sugar to the mixture but I always choose sweet apple varieties so I don’t add additional sugar to my applesauce.
Texture of No Bake Apple Cake
This cake will not taste like your traditional fluffy baked cake. It is a no bake cake so the texture is different. To me, it tastes similar to cake but is much more moist. It reminds me of cake balls (which is usually made from cake pieces and frosting mashed together).
Baked Version
While you don’t need to bake this cake, you can if you want. The cake will taste the same but baking it will remove some of the moister and make the bars firmer. So if you find the no bake version too moist for your liking, you can bake it for a firmer and less moist cake.
Frosting Options
You can definitely leave these cake bars unfrosted and eat them as is, but if you are someone who enjoys frosting then I have a few easy frosting ideas for this cake:
- Whipped Cream Frosting: Beat cold heavy cream and a little bit of sweetener of your choice on high speed with a mixer until stiff peaks form. You can also add a little cinnamon for a cinnamon flavored frosting which pairs well with apples.
- Healthier Cream Cheese Frosting: Softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt and sweetener of your choice (I use maple syrup to keep it refined sugar free). Whisk together until evenly combined. You can also add 1/4 tsp cinnamon for a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. This is the frosting I used for the cake in the photos and you can find the full recipe here.
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping: You can also sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top of these bars instead of a frosting. You can mix cinnamon with coconut sugar if you are trying to stay away from refined sugars.
More No Bake Recipes
2 Ingredient No Bake Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz) unsweetened applesauce (see note)
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 4 inch baking loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together applesauce and coconut flour. Stir until coconut flour is completely incorporated into the applesauce. Your mixture should be thick (like cookie dough) and scoopable. You can taste and adjust as needed. Depending on the brand of applesauce you are using, you may need to add 1 more tbsp of coconut flour.
- Spread cake batter into prepared baking pan, using a spatula to smooth out the surface. Cake can be enjoyed right away but I recommend placing it into the fridge for about 1 hour, which will let the coconut flour soften a little more as it absorbs the applesauce and will make it easier to slice the cake. If you are adding frosting, you can add it before placing the cake into the fridge or after the cake has been refrigerated. Just be sure to add it before cutting up the cake. Use a sharp knife to slice the cake into 8 squares.
- Store uneaten cake in the fridge in an airtight container.
Notes
- This cake can also be made with sweetened applesauce, but I used unsweetened. If you prefer sweeter desserts you may want to use sweetened applesauce. You can use either homemade applesauce or store bought jarred/canned. I prefer homemade because the apple flavor is stronger but I've made it with both. Please see post for more details about applesauce and my homemade applesauce.
- I do not have a substitute for coconut flour. This cake will not work with almond flour, wheat flour or oat flour. I explain more about coconut flour in the post.
- These cake bars do not taste like traditional baked cake. The bars are very moist and taste more like cake balls (made of mashed cake and frosting) in cake bar form.
- If you find this cake to be too moist, you can bake it. The texture will remain about the same but the cake will be slightly firmer and the baking process will remove the extra moisture. To bake the cake, bake it at 350F for about 30-40 minutes or until firm.
- I share three frosting ideas/recipes in the body of the post under "Frosting Options"
- I used Bob's Red Mill coconut flour.*
- *This product link is an affiliate link. This means I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases (at no extra charge to you).
- The estimated nutrition is for cake bars only, without the frosting.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Fast, Convenient & hassle free recipies.. love them !
Thanks so much!
Very delightfully surprised about how this recipe turned out! I am a new fan of coconut flour now. I am using Lily’s salted caramel cocoa chips and mixing them into my bars and they’re going into the refrigerator for later. 🙂
Thanks for letting us know!
OK, I made these, and they were okay. I wanted to try another fruit. Since I am not fond of bananas I foraged in my freezer and found some frozen raspberries. I thawed them and mashed them, then started adding coconut flour until it was the desired consistency. I thought they were very tasty! I am going to experiment with other fruits. But right now I am really loving the raspberry version!
I’m glad it worked out for you with raspberries!
I am really excited about this recipe, do you think adding vanilla to the mix would work?
It should work fine!
Trying this with my grandson tonight, I can’t wait now that I have read all the positive reviews and suggestions for additions ??
We hope you loved it!
I’ve made this recipe 2 times, once with homemade applesauce and once with mashed bananas. Both delicious! I am looking forward to experimenting with other fruits! Thank you!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe!
I added some leftover strawberries which I mashed with a fork. It gave the dough a lovely light pink color and since I used store bought applesauce it added some chunkiness. I also like my desserts sweet so I added stevia. It is in the oven now, but I was eating some as I put it in the pan-yum! ?
Oh I love the idea of adding strawberries to make it pink!
Hi! I’m so excited to try this recipe! My husband is df, gf, sugar free, and egg free so this looks ideal for his birthday in a couple of days. I was thinking about adding unsweetened coconut flakes to the mix, topping with almonds, and pouring over some melted 90% dark chocolate over the cake. Do you think that sounds like it would work? I look forward to your advice. Thanks for your inspiration and the recipe!
All of those flavors sound great, but we haven’t tried those additions so can’t say how they might work. Please let us know if you tried it!
I just mixed this up and put it in my loaf pan as stated in directions however it looks lost in that pan. I will wait an hour to see.
An 8×4″ loaf pan is the correct size.
Just found your recipes. thank you??
We hope you love the recipes!
Have not tried your no bake banana and
apple cakes. Please send me more no
bakes if you have any
Thank you
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First, I love your recipes. I’m so looking forward to making both this and the banana cake recipe.
I’d like to try making my own applesauce as described in your post. Is there a certain amount/type of apple that you recommend for a batch, or cup, of applesauce?
You should only need two to three apples to make one cup of sauce. We prefer a sweeter apple so try Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, or Fuji.
I actually stay away from eating cake, but this cake is like a thin layer of tres leche cake, therefore “I Can’t Help Myself The Pleasure”. And, I add lemon flavoring to both the cake & frosting, “That’s Where It’s At”.
I’m so glad this worked out for you!
I’m sure to try this recipe. I’m looking for a healthy way of life inclusive of deserts. This suits it fine.
Hope you enjoy!
I had a few defrosted blueberries I had to use up and I added them to the applesauce and pureed it. It was amazing. I haven’t ever made it to normal way but this way was great.
Thanks for sharing that tip!
This looks delish and super easy. Do you think it would work if I used pureed pineapple? I haven’t done a lot of baking with coconut flour and am uncertain if acidity would impact the result?
Sorry, but we can’t say for sure how pureed pineapple would work in this recipe.
How long do you bake it?
30-40 minutes. Please see recipe notes where I discuss this in more detail
Try it as soon as I get the ingredients together sound very good thank you
hope you enjoy!
I am a gastric bypass patient. Anything high in protien and low carbs is best.
I hope you enjoy!
Thank you for sharing these wonderful and easy, healthy recipes!
you’re welcome!
Sounds tasty
I hope you give it a try!
This sounds great. I am just hearing a lot about cake balls.
Is there a recipe or something to follow to make them and be successful.
As I think about making them all I can picture is a mess.
Thank you
Sorry I haven’t shared a recipe for cake balls yet.
Can I use almond flour if my peeps don’t like coconut flavor?
No this will not work with almond flour. I discuss this in the post and in the recipe notes
Cant wait to try this
I hope you enjoy!
Can’t wait to make this. Do you think I could use half applesauce and half banana ? Just thought that sounds good also?
yes that sounds delicious!
Would love to try this with a thinned apple or pumpkin butter
I think that should work well
I had a few defrosted blueberries I had to use up and I added them to the applesauce and pureed it. It was amazing. I haven’t ever made it to normal way but this way was great.
Adding blueberries sounds delicious!
Do you have a dairy free frosting recipe for this?
You could do a coconut whipped cream frosting but I think the bars will taste more like coconut than apple. https://kirbiecravings.com/dairy-free-coconut-whipped-cream/
I thank you for this and so many other recipes! It is so yummy! As an older person I am still enjoying baking, and finding recipes that make my life healthier, and fit my grest grandchild’s needs, is wonderful!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes!
Can I use pumpkin instead.
yes but you will probably want to add a sweetener since pumpkin is not sweet.