Easy Vegan Apple Spice Cake

1. Prepare the Cake Tin:

   • Use the dairy-free spread to thoroughly butter a 20cm deep cake tin.
   • Line the base and sides with baking parchment to ensure easy removal of the cake later.

2. Preheat the Oven:

   • Heat your oven to 180°C (160°C for fan ovens) or gas mark 4.

3. Create Buttermilk Substitute:

   • Pour the oat milk into a jug.
   • Add the lemon juice and stir gently.
   • Let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes to thicken.

4. Mix Dry Ingredients:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, caster sugar, light brown soft sugar, and baking powder.
   • Whisk the dry ingredients together to ensure they are evenly distributed.

5. Combine Wet Ingredients:

   • Pour the thickened oat milk mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
   • Add the almond extract and the melted dairy-free spread (ensure it's not too hot to avoid cooking the batter).
   • Add ½ teaspoon of salt to enhance the flavor.

6. Beat the Mixture:

   • Using an electric whisk, beat the mixture on medium speed until you have a smooth batter with no lumps.

7. Prepare the Apples:

   • In a separate large bowl, add the chopped Granny Smith apples.
   • Sprinkle the extra 1 tablespoon of flour over the apples and toss them gently to coat. This will help prevent them from sinking in the batter.

8. Combine Apples and Batter:

   • Carefully fold the coated apples into the cake batter using a spatula. Do this gently to avoid breaking up the apples too much.

9. Transfer to Cake Tin:

   • Spoon the apple batter into the prepared cake tin, spreading it evenly.
   • Sprinkle the flaked almonds over the top for added texture and flavor.

10. Bake the Cake:

    • Place the tin in the center of the preheated oven.
    • Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and firm to the touch. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

11. Cool the Cake:

    • Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for a few minutes.
    • To serve warm, slice and enjoy directly from the tin.
    • For a cooler treat, turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

12. Storage:

    • Once completely cooled, store the cake in an airtight container. It will keep well for up to three days.

Enjoy your delicious Easy Vegan Apple Spice Cake!