French Apple Cake

Name: French Apple Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 3 large apples (peeled and thinly sliced); 3/4 cup butter; 1 cup granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon rum extract (or add a tablespoon or two of rum); 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt

This French Apple Cake recipe is a moist and fluffy cake packed with fresh sliced apples, flavoured with rum, and easy to make – even for beginners!

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

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French Apple Cake Recipe

When it comes to desserts, we’ll always choose anything French-inspired. We’ve shared a few of our favourite French desserts with you already, like our famous Chocolate Mousse recipe and this amazingly delicious Tarte Tatin. This French Apple Cake is a dessert we’ve been enjoying for years and it’s one of our favourite ways to enjoy fresh apples. It’s an easy-to-make cake batter combined with thinly sliced apples and baked to golden brown perfection. It’s simple – like all the best French desserts – but it’s absolute perfection!

What is French Apple Cake?

French Apple Cake, known in France as “Gâteau aux Pommes,” is a charmingly simple and elegant dessert that combines seasonal apples with a rich, moist sponge cake.

The basic cake batter is made from common baking ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. The apples are sliced very thinly and then folded into the batter. The cake batter is often infused with a hint of rum (or rum extract), which gives the cake a more sophisticated flavour that pairs well with the natural sweetness of the apples.

French Apple Cake is a simple and versatile dessert that doesn’t require any fancy techniques or decorations. It’s often served with just a dusting of powdered sugar on top, allowing the flavours of the apples and cake to shine through. It can also be served with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It’s perfect for a cosy evening dessert, a weekend brunch treat, or a sweet ending to a French-inspired dinner party – French Apple Cake represents the essence of rustic French baking, and we love it!

Why We LOVE This French Apple Cake

There are countless reasons why we’re in love with this French Apple Cake recipe, but here are just a few:

It calls for BASIC INGREDIENTS: This recipe uses ingredients that are probably already in your pantry. If not, they’re easily found at any grocery store.
It’s VERSATILE: Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a more formal gathering, this cake goes well with any meal!
It’s perfect for BEGINNERS: With straightforward ingredients and clear instructions, this recipe is easy to make, even for those new to baking.
It’s CUSTOMIZABLE: While it’s delicious all on its own, the cake can be easily customized with different types of apples or additional flavourings like cinnamon, vanilla, or even maple!

The BEST Apples for Baking

Choosing the right kind of apple is important when baking because each variety brings its own texture, flavour, and level of moisture. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular apple varieties we recommend for baking:

Granny Smith: Known for their bright green skin and tart flavour, Granny Smith apples are a favourite among bakers. Their firm texture holds up well when baked, making them perfect for cakes where you want the apple pieces to maintain their flavour and texture.
Honeycrisp: This apple is sweet with a slight tartness and a crisp texture. It retains its structure when baked, making it a great choice for a recipe like French Apple Cake where you want the apples to be soft but not mushy.
Fuji: These apples are among the sweeter varieties, with a crisp, firm texture. They do soften when baked but less than other sweet apples, making them a good choice for baking.

PRO Tips for Making the BEST French Apple Cake

To ensure your French Apple Cake turns out perfectly every time, be sure to follow our PRO tips!

Start with Room Temperature Ingredients

Starting with room temperature butter, eggs, and milk will help your cake batter to be smooth and come together evenly.

Choose the Best Apples

Choose apples that hold their shape well when baked, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith. Avoid overly soft varieties that might turn mushy in the cake.

Slice the Apples Thinly

Slice your apples very thinly and evenly to make sure they cook through without making the cake soggy.

Prepare the Pan Properly

Be sure to generously grease the pan with butter or baking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

Avoid Over-Mixing

Mix the batter just enough to combine the ingredients. Over-mixing can lead to a tough cake.

Use an Oven Thermometer

Make sure your oven is properly preheated to the correct temperature before baking to achieve an even rise and colour. Use an oven thermometer to be sure your oven temperature is correct to prevent over-baking or under-baking.

Test for Doneness

Insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done.

Troubleshooting Ideas for Common French Apple Cake Baking Problems

When baking, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are solutions to some common issues you might encounter when making this French Apple Cake recipe:

The Cake is Too Dense

This could be due to over-mixing the batter. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.

The Cake is Undercooked in the Middle

Ensure your oven temperature is correct by using an oven thermometer to test the heat, and always allow the cake to bake completely. Don’t open the oven door too often as this can cause heat to escape.

The Cake is Browning too Much on Top

If the cake is browning too fast but isn’t cooked through, loosely cover the top with aluminum foil and continue baking. You can also reduce the oven temperature slightly.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need to Make French Apple Cake

Here’s a list of kitchen equipment you’ll need to make this delicious French Apple Cake recipe (paid links):

a Hand Mixer with a large mixing bowl
9-inch springform pan
Silicone Spatula
measuring cups and spoons
liquid measuring cups
Offset Spatula
a vegetable peeler, a Mandoline Slicer, a Cutting Board and a large knife for preparing the apples
Cooling Rack

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make French Apple Cake

Here’s the list of basic ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious French Apple Cake recipe (paid links):

3 large apples peeled and thinly sliced
3/4 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon rum extract or add one shot of rum
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

French Apple Cake Recipe Variations

While the classic French Apple Cake is delicious all on its own, feel free to experiment with these variations to take it to the next level!

Add Spices: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice adds a lot of warmth and depth to the cake.
Swap the Rum: If rum isn’t your favourite, try substituting it with vanilla extract or almond extract for a different flavour profile. We also love adding maple extract!
Nuts: Mix in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture and a nutty flavour. Serve with candied nuts on top.

How to Make French Apple Cake

Time needed: 50 minutes

Follow these steps to make the best French Apple Cake!

Prepare the pan.
Preheat your oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Butter and flour a 9-inch springform cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
Prepare the apples.
Peel the apples and slice them thinly with a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, removing the cores. Add them to a small bowl and set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until the grains of sugar start to disappear. Add the eggs (one at a time), vanilla extract, and the rum extract (or rum).
Add the dry ingredients.
Add the dry ingredients on top of the butter, sugar, and egg mixture. Whisk the dry ingredients together a little bit before you stir everything together well.
Fold in the apples.
Fold in the apple slices. Add the batter to the prepared pan and spread it out evenly on top.
Bake to perfection.
Bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for about 35 minutes, until the cake is tender and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out almost clean.
Cool, then serve.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cake set and prevents it from breaking. Slice and serve when the cake is cool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to make French Apple Cake with rum?

Feel free to substitute brandy, dark rum, bourbon, or any flavour of extract you like (vanilla, maple, almond, or rum extract).

Can I use pink lady apples in this French Apple Cake recipe?

Yes, feel free to use Honeycrisp apples, Jonagold apples, Braeburn apples, Granny Smith, Gala, or any apples you like that stay firm when baked.

How do I store French Apple Cake?

This cake keeps for up to 3 days in an airtight container, at room temperature or in the fridge.

Can I freeze French Apple Cake?

To freeze this french apple cake, allow it to cool to room temperature before wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap or putting it in a freezer-safe container. Store the cake for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature before serving.

We hope you love this cake recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite recipe to make with fresh apples? We’d love to know!