French Apple Cake – Easy Recipe

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Introduction

French Apple Cake is a simple, comforting dessert that showcases tender apple slices baked into a moist, lightly spiced batter. This easy recipe delivers a rustic cake with a subtle sweetness, perfect for any occasion from afternoon tea to a casual dessert.

A round apple pie sits on a piece of parchment paper on a white marbled textured surface, lightly dusted with powdered sugar on top. One triangular slice is lifted, showing several thin layers of pale yellow apple filling stacked evenly within a golden brown crust. Next to the pie, there is a white dish towel with light green stripes, a light green peeled apple, and a small metal sieve with some powdered sugar inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup plain (all purpose) flour
  • 1/2 cup caster sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, beaten lightly
  • 1/3 cup full cream milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 large apples (about 1 kg / 2 pounds), cored, peeled, and cut into thin slices
  • Icing sugar, to dust (optional)

Topping

  • 1/3 cup caster sugar
  • 1 large egg, beaten lightly
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F), making sure it is set to bake, not fan. Lightly butter a 22cm (9 inch) cake tin and line the base with baking paper.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the flour, caster sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
  3. Step 3: Add the vanilla extract, beaten eggs, vegetable oil, and milk to the dry ingredients. Stir until the batter is smooth and well combined.
  4. Step 4: Add the thinly sliced apples to the batter. Using clean hands, gently toss the apple slices to coat each piece evenly with the batter.
  5. Step 5: Pour the apple batter into the prepared cake tin and spread it out evenly.
  6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix the caster sugar, beaten egg, and melted butter to create the topping. Pour this mixture evenly over the batter in the tin.
  7. Step 7: Place the cake on the center shelf of the oven and bake for 30 minutes. The cake should be golden on top and a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
  8. Step 8: Allow the cake to cool slightly before removing it from the tin. Dust with icing sugar if desired before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavor.
  • For added warmth, sprinkle a teaspoon of cinnamon or mixed spice into the dry ingredients.
  • Replace vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
  • Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Storage

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or oven before serving to restore moisture and warmth.

How to Serve

The image shows a white marbled surface with bowls and apples arranged neatly. There are four green apples placed together on the left side. Around them, there are several white bowls containing baking ingredients: white flour, sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Two light brown eggs sit in a white bowl near the center. The bowls have different shapes, some round and some oval, each filled with different ingredients, creating a variety of white, off-white, yellow, and brown colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for this cake?

Yes, you can experiment with any apple variety you prefer. Tart apples like Granny Smith work well, but sweeter apples like Fuji or Gala can also be delicious. Just adjust sugar levels if using very sweet apples.

Do I need to peel the apples before adding them?

Peeling the apples ensures a softer texture in the cake, but you can leave the skins on if you prefer a bit more texture and added fiber. Just be sure to wash the apples thoroughly before slicing.

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French Apple Cake – Easy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 207 reviews

This French Apple Cake is a simple yet delicious dessert featuring tender slices of apple enveloped in a moist, subtly sweet batter. With easy-to-follow steps and minimal ingredients, it’s a perfect treat for any occasion that offers a rustic, homemade charm paired with a hint of vanilla.

  • Author: nova
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 1/2 cup plain (all purpose) flour
  • 1/2 cup caster sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, beaten lightly
  • 1/3 cup full cream milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 large apples (about 1 kg / 2 pounds), cored, peeled and cut into thin slices
  • Butter (for greasing the pan)
  • Baking paper (for lining the pan)
  • Icing sugar, to dust (optional)

Topping

  • 1/3 cup caster sugar
  • 1 large egg, beaten lightly
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pan: Lightly butter a 22cm (9 inch) cake tin and line the base with baking paper to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
  2. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F) and ensure it is set to bake mode, not fan, for proper heat distribution.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, caster sugar, baking powder, and fine salt. Stir these together to distribute evenly.
  4. Add wet ingredients: Pour in the vanilla extract, beaten eggs, vegetable oil, and full cream milk into the dry mixture. Mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and well combined.
  5. Incorporate apples: Add the thin apple slices to the batter. Using your hands, gently mix to coat each apple slice evenly with the batter, ensuring the apples are well distributed.
  6. Transfer to pan: Pour the batter with coated apples into the prepared cake tin, spreading it evenly.
  7. Bake the cake: Place the cake on the center shelf of the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Use a timer to keep track and check doneness by inserting a skewer, which should come out clean.
  8. Prepare topping: While the cake bakes, mix together the caster sugar, beaten egg, and melted butter until combined to create the topping.
  9. Add topping and continue baking: After the initial 30 minutes of baking, remove the cake briefly from the oven, spread the topping evenly over the top of the cake, then return it to the oven to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden and set.
  10. Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar if desired, then slice and enjoy.

Notes

  • Use firm apples such as Granny Smith or Pink Lady to ensure the slices hold their shape during baking.
  • Peeling the apples is optional but recommended for a smoother texture in the cake.
  • Ensure the apples are sliced thinly for even cooking and better batter absorption.
  • You can substitute caster sugar with granulated sugar if necessary.
  • The cake is best served slightly warm and can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Keywords: French apple cake, easy apple cake recipe, baking with apples, homemade apple dessert, vanilla apple cake

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