Step 1

Preheat the oven to 392 °F (200 °C). Lightly grease an 11x7-inch (27x18-cm) baking pan or similar size and line with parchment paper.

Step 2

Peel, core and finely slice the apples. Drizzle with lemon juice and cinnamon and mix to coat.

Step 3

Sift flour, baking powder and ground vanilla into a large bowl. Add almond meal, sugar and salt and whisk together.

Step 4

Combine apple sauce, plant milk and oil in a measuring cup. Then pour into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the apples, pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth it out. Sprinkle with slivered almonds and a little sugar and bake for about 40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean (if you want a moist cake, don't over-bake).

Step 5

Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, using the overhanging parchment paper, carefully lift out and let cool completely on a cooling rack.

Step 6

Cut into bars and serve with powdered sugar, pomegranate seeds and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired. Enjoy!