• Preheat your oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, ensuring to use gluten-free fl our for dusting. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, almond fl our, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
• In a separate bowl, mix the applesauce, honey, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until blended. Fold in the chopped apples and walnuts, if using.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, drizzle the top of the cake with additional honey before serving.

Tip:

• Choosing the right apples is key. For baking, varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp offer a nice balance of tartness and sweetness and hold up well under heat.