Description
Sweet aromas of France waft through kitchens with this classic French Apple Cake, combining rustic charm and delicate flavors. Butter-rich batter studded with tender apple chunks promises a simple yet elegant dessert that transports you directly to a charming Parisian café.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large apples
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp rum (optional)
Dry and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, ensuring complete coverage.
- Peel and core the apples, then slice them into thin, uniform wedges approximately 1/4 inch thick.
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a cohesive batter.
- Blend in milk, vanilla extract, and rum (if using), stirring until the liquid is completely integrated.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to eliminate any potential lumps.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined without overmixing.
- Arrange the apple slices in a decorative overlapping pattern across the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an attractive base layer.
- Carefully pour the cake batter over the arranged apple slices, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, which helps the cake set properly.
- Invert the cake onto a serving plate, gently tapping the pan to release the apple layer if needed.
- Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar just before serving, creating an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Select firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness in the cake.
- Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even cake consistency.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake texture; gently fold ingredients until just combined.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and adding xanthan gum for better structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 276
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 73 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg