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French Apple Cake

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Delicious French apple cake is an easy dessert recipe that pulls together quickly but looks and tastes like it came from a high-end bakery! Dense creamy base with a light fluffy cake layer on the top.

An apple cake after baking with a sliced lifted out showing the inside of the cake

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Authentic French Apple Cake

If you follow along on social media or get my email newsletter you know that we spent two weeks last month traveling around France with our three boys. We spent time in the Normandy region and in the Loire Valley.

It was one of those dream trips I spent months planning, but in reality the entire trip was more reminiscent of a National Lampoon’s movie-one mishap after another! One good thing I did take away from the trip was all the amazing food I tried-like this delicious French Apple Cake Recipe.

A close up of a French apple cake after baking

Ingredients in French Apple Cake

Apples are a specialty in the Normandy region, they have an apple brandy called Calvados that they are quite proud of, and rightfully so, it’s delicious!

This apple cake uses Calvados but if you don’t have that or apple brandy you can easily use a dark rum as a substitute and the result will still be amazing.

Why I Love French Apple Cake

I love this dessert because it looks so fancy all served up with powdered sugar but in reality, it whips together quickly and easily. The cake has a creamy, almost custard-like layer at the bottom and the top is light and fluffy, like a well-done coffee cake.

A close up of French apple cake after baking

How to Pick Apples for French Apple Cake

I recommend using a baking apple that will hold it’s shape for this French Apple Cake. Varieties such as Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Jonagold are all good options.

A close up of a French apple cake after baking with a slice removed to show the inside of the cake on a dark table with powdered sugar around it

You might also like some of my other apple recipes such as my Homemade Apple Bread, Apple Baked French Toast, and Crumbly Old Fashioned Apple Pie or this Cinnamon Apple Cake with Crackle Glaze from Shaken Together.

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A close up of a French apple cake after baking

French Apple Cake


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5 from 1 review

Description

Delicious French apple cake is an easy dessert recipe that pulls together quickly but looks and tastes like it came from a high end bakery! Dense creamy base with a light fluffy cake layer on the top.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 large apples (baking variety is best)
  • 3 tablespoons Calvados, apple brandy, or dark rum
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch springform pan (affiliate link) with baking spray (affiliate link) (or butter and lightly flour the surface.)
  2. Core the apples and slice into 1/8 thick slices.
  3. Place apple slices in a medium bowl and pour over the Calvados, toss to coat and allow to soak.
  4. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well and set aside.
  5. In a large bowl add eggs and mix with a wire whisk until frothy.
  6. Add vanilla extract and sugar and mix until combined.
  7. Add butter and continue to stir.
  8. Add flour mixture a little at a time stirring constantly until batter is uniform.
  9. Fold in apples, making sure to include any remaining Calvados at the bottom of the bowl.
  10. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and pat down the apples with a spatula.
  11. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  12. Cool at least 5 minutes before removing from pan.
  13. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

Notes

  • I recommend using a baking apple that will hold it’s shape for this Apple Cake. Varieties such as Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Jonagold are all good options.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 269
  • Sugar: 28.7 g
  • Sodium: 420.5 mg
  • Fat: 7.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42.2 g
  • Protein: 3.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 46.5 mg

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14 Comments

  1. The cake is in the oven and it looks delicious. So easy to make! I arranged apples on top in a centric circle and sprinkled with a course sugar. I added finely grated orange rind, Grand Marnier, and currants to the sliced apples before they were folded into the batter..

  2. How did you get the sliced
    Apples on your cake to appear well on top?
    After pouring the batter onto the pan,
    Did you put some sliced apples on Top of it??

  3. This cake was delicious, very moist and easy to make. I used a spiced rum and tasted very good. Saved the recipe for the next time I have extra apple. Thank you!






    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed it Debi, I love that recipe too! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave feedback! ~Melissa

  4. Help I’m getting ready to make this and there seems to be a question of how much sugar what is the correct amount?

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