Baking this French Apple Cake fills the house with a wonderful aroma, and the result is a perfectly fluffy cake with crispy apple bits and a sweet powdered sugar finish.
This easy French Apple Cake is jam-packed with apples, which is one of the things I love most about this recipe! Every bite is filled with delicious, crisp, and tart apples, surrounded by a fluffy and delicious cake.
For this cake, I added a layer of granulated sugar on top of the batter before baking, which gives this cake a sweet crispness on the top after it finishes baking, almost like a layer of sweet crust, and it really makes all the difference.
French cuisine is full of flavor, and if you’re looking for other delicious French recipes, try out my French Pork with Apple Cream Sauce, Chicken Florentine, or even my French Lentil Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese!
Table of Contents
Reasons to Love This Apple Cake
- The simplicity of a French Apple Cake recipe means even beginner bakers can whip up this delightful treat with ease.
- French Apple Cake is versatile enough to be enjoyed for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet treat anytime.
- This cake is made with simple, wholesome ingredients, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
Recipe Ingredients
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, cozy aroma that blends perfectly with the apples.
- Dark Rum: Just a splash adds a wonderful depth and warmth to the flavor.
- Honey crisp Apples: They’re sweet and tart, adding juicy goodness to every bite.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
- Apple Varieties: Use a mix of tart-sweet apples like Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Jonagold for a delightful flavor blend. Combining different varieties adds complexity and ensures juicy, flavorful bites throughout the cake.
- Rum Alternative: If you don’t have rum, you can easily use bourbon or brandy. Just use whatever you have on hand; it works just as well and adds a nice twist to the flavor.
How to Make French Apple Cake
Step #1: Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (175° Celsius). Grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter. For the easiest cake removal, line the bottom and sides of the prepared pan with parchment paper and grease the top of the parchment paper with butter.
Step #2: Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until fluffy.
Step #3: Next, add in the eggs, beating them in well.
Step #4: Then add in the vanilla and rum and mix together. At this point, don’t worry if your batter looks grainy, that’s okay!
Step #5: Next, add in the flour mixture, baking powder, and salt and mix on low until it’s all combined.
Step #6: Using a spatula, fold the chopped apples into the batter.
Step #7: Scrape the batter into your lined and greased cake pan, even the top, and sprinkle the top of the cake with some granulated sugar, about 1 tablespoon.
Step #8: Bake for about 35 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Step #9: Once the cake has cooled, you can use a regular plate to flip the cake upside down and then use a serving plate to flip it back right side up.
Step #10: Finally, using a sieve, dust the top of the cake with confectioners’ sugar.
Step #11: Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together before adding them to the batter. This ensures even distribution and helps create a lighter, fluffier cake.
- Cool and Release: Once cool, run a blunt knife around the edges to loosen the cake. If using a springform pan, remove the sides gently. If using a regular cake pan, carefully invert the cake onto a cooling rack, peel off the parchment paper, then gently flip the cake back over onto a serving platter. This helps maintain the cake’s shape and prevents breaking.
FAQs
Serve warm or at room temperature, plain or with lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Absolutely! Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg gives the cake a cozy, spiced flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples. It’s a little extra touch that makes it even more delicious.
Storage Info
Store your French Apple Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. You can freeze the cake for up to 2 weeks; wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag.
To reheat, warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in the oven at 350° Fahrenheit (175° Celsius) for about 10 minutes until heated through.
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French Apple Cake Recipe
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick - ½ cup butter
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons dark rum
- 3 Honeycrisp Apples - 3 ½ – 4 Cups chopped
- Confectioners sugar for decorating - optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (175° Celsius). Grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter. For the easiest cake removal, line the bottom and sides of the prepared pan with parchment paper and grease the top of the parchment paper with butter.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until fluffy.
- Next, add in the eggs, beating them in well.
- Then add in the vanilla and rum and mix together. At this point, don't worry if your batter looks grainy, that's okay!
- Next, add in the flour mixture, baking powder, and salt and mix on low until it's all combined.
- Using a spatula, fold the chopped apples into the batter.
- Scrape the batter into your lined and greased cake pan, even the top, and sprinkle the top of the cake with some granulated sugar, about 1 tablespoon.
- Bake for about 35 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Once the cake has cooled, you can use a regular plate to flip the cake upside down and then use a serving plate to flip it back right side up.
- Finally, using a sieve, dust the top of the cake with confectioners' sugar.
- Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!
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NOTES
Nutrition
The apples melted into the cake and made each bite taste amazing!