French Apple Cake
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This post may contain affiliate links.
This is my idea of the perfect everyday apple cake: simple, unfussy, and deeply comforting. Tender crumb, pockets of soft apple, and just enough sweetness to let the fruit shine. It’s the kind of cake you make once and then keep returning to; easy enough for a casual afternoon, but elegant enough to serve to guests with nothing more than a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.
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Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8-10
INGREDIENTS
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter at room temperature
2/3 cup (130g) granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling over the cake
2 large eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons dark rum
2 medium baking apples (see pro tips), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 1/2 cups)
Powdered sugar for dusting
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
INSTRUCTIONS
Measure and lay out all your ingredients.
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch round pan with a baking spray with flour, such as Baker’s Joy. Line with a parchment round and spray again.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a handheld mixer, beat the butter and sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes depending on how soft your butter is.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
5. Beat in the vanilla and rum. It’s ok if the batter curdles at this point. Add in the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped apples.
6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and even the top. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of sugar.
7. Bake for about 40 minutes until a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool the cake for 10 minutes in the pan. Run a butter knife around the edge between the cake and pan, then unmold the cake unto a cooling rack. Flip again so cake is right side up. Cool completely on the rack.
9. Dust with powdered sugar.
This cake is delicious as is or served with whipped cream.
STORAGE
This apple cake is one of those rare bakes that actually improves with time. Once completely cooled, store it in a cake dome or other container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The apples continue to release moisture into the crumb, keeping the cake tender and flavorful.
For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving to restore its soft texture and subtle aromatics.
The cake also freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices or the whole cake well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature. A light dusting of powdered sugar before serving brings it right back to life.
PRO TIPS FOR A PERFECT APPLE CAKE:
1. Choose apples that hold their shape.
Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady are ideal. They soften as the cake bakes but don’t dissolve into the batter, giving you those lovely pockets of fruit throughout each slice.
2. Cut the apples evenly and not too small.
Medium dice works best. Too small and they disappear; too large and they can weigh down the crumb or cause uneven baking.
3. Don’t overmix once the flour is added.
Stir just until the batter comes together. Overmixing develops gluten and can turn a tender, French-style cake into something dense and bready.
4. Trust the doneness test, not just the clock.
Because of the moisture from the apples, baking time can vary. The cake is ready when a cake tester inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
5. Let it cool completely before slicing.
This cake needs time to set. Cutting too early can compress the crumb and make it seem heavier than it actually is. Patience here is rewarded.
6. Keep the finish simple.
A dusting of powdered sugar is all this cake needs. Its charm lies in restraint—letting the apples, vanilla, and warm crumb speak for themselves.
EQUIPMENT
✨ Let’s Bake Together
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