French Apple Cake Recipe

As the leaves begin to turn and the air becomes crisp, there’s nothing quite like cozying up with a slice of freshly baked French apple cake. This cake, known for its simplicity and versatility, is a staple in French kitchens and a delightful way to celebrate the flavors of the season.

What is French Apple Cake?

French apple cake is a classic dessert that embodies the elegance and simplicity of French baking. This cake is typically made with a buttery batter that is lightly sweetened and filled with chunks of apples.

Unlike many American cakes that are frosted or heavily spiced, French apple cake is subtle, letting the natural flavors of the apples shine through. It’s a versatile recipe, meaning you can easily swap in other fruits like pears or peaches depending on the season.

This cake is often compared to a French yogurt cake in its ease of preparation and adaptability to various ingredients.

What Does French Apple Cake Taste Like?

The taste of French apple cake is delicate and balanced. The cake itself is buttery and perfectly sweet, with a tender crumb that complements the juicy, tart apples.

When baked, the apples soften and release their natural juices, creating a moist and flavorful cake that’s not overly sugary.

The addition of a hint of almond extract, as is common in many French cakes, adds a subtle nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the apples. It’s also why you’ll sometimes see the cake listed on websites as French almond apple cake, though I personally wouldn’t call it that unless I was using almond flour or almond meal in it.

Some variations may include a touch of cinnamon, like my recipe below, although this is less traditional in French baking. I think the cinnamon adds that fall “touch” that so many of us Americans love (and honestly, that the French are beginning to love too!).

Overall, the taste is light, refined, and perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.

How to Make French Apple Cake?

French apple cake is wonderfully easy to make, even for those who may not consider themselves expert bakers.

The key to this cake lies in its simplicity and the quality of ingredients. Traditional recipes typically call for basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, with the addition of fresh apples.

The batter comes together quickly, and after gently folding in the apples, the cake is ready to be baked.

The result is a rustic, homey dessert that looks as beautiful as it tastes. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just to enjoy on a cozy afternoon, this cake is sure to impress.

Does French Apple Cake Need to Be Refrigerated?

One of the great things about French apple cake is its staying power. Unlike cakes with cream fillings or frostings, this cake can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days.

However, if you want to keep it fresh for longer (up to a week), it’s best to refrigerate it. Simply wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container before placing it in the fridge.

When stored this way, the cake can last up to five to seven days. For those who prefer their cake warm, a quick zap in the microwave will bring back its freshly baked feel.

Can French Apple Cake Be Made Gluten-Free?

Yes, French apple cake can easily be adapted to be gluten-free. If you or your guests have gluten sensitivities, you can substitute the all-purpose flour in the recipe with a gluten-free flour blend that is meant to be used in a one-to-one ratio.

This ensures that the texture of the cake remains light and fluffy, much like the original. While almond flour is another popular choice in French baking, be cautious with the fat and liquid content when making substitutions.

Gluten-free baking requires a bit of precision, but with the right ingredients, your cake will turn out just as delicious as the traditional version.

Exploring Variations: French Almond Cake and French Upside-Down Cake

While French apple cake is a classic, there are other delicious French cake recipes worth exploring.

The French almond cake, for example, is another simple yet elegant dessert that features the warm, nutty flavor of almonds. I would use the peach almond cake recipe here and simply swap in apples instead of peaches.

On the other hand, the French upside-down cake, often made with apples or other fruits like pineapples or pears, offers a beautiful presentation with caramelized fruit on top.

Both cakes share the French apple cake’s characteristic of being adaptable and easy to make, making them wonderful additions to your baking repertoire.

Special Baking Tip

You’ll notice in the recipe below that I call for adding a pinch of sugar to the top of the cake. While this is optional, I hope you don’t skip this step.

The sugar on top adds a beautiful sheen and bit of caramelization to the crumb, giving it that crisp, cracked topping that is absolutely divine!

French apple cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients and the art of French baking.

Whether you’re enjoying it with a morning coffee, serving it at a dinner party, or gifting it to a friend, this cake is sure to bring a touch of French elegance to any occasion.

With easy adaptations for gluten-free baking and the ability to substitute different fruits, French apple cake is as versatile as it is delicious.

French Apple Cake Recipe

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

A fuss-free, tender cake with the flavors of apple, cinnamon, and almond baked into a delicate crumb.

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Ingredients

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for the top of the cake
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 tbsp whole milk (2% milk is OK too)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 apples (honey crisp, fuji, granny smith - or a mix of these), peeled, cored, and cut into small cubes
• baking spray for the pan

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch cake pan with baking spray.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the granulated sugar and unsalted butter. Beat for a minute until light and fluffy.
3. Add in the eggs, followed by almond extract, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until the eggs have been broken up and mixed in; batter will be lumpy, it's OK. Stop to scrape the bowl halfway into mixing.
4. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mix the batter on medium speed just until everything is mixed together. Don't overmix.
5. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the mixing bowl to incorporate any unmixed batter. Then give everything a quick mix again. Stir in the cubed apples with your spatula.
6. Pour the batter out into your prepared cake pan doing your best to make sure the batter is evenly distributed in the pan. It won't look smooth on top but the batter should be evenly distributed throughout the pan. Sprinkle granulated sugar all over the top.
7. Bake the cake for approximately 40 to 45 minutes. The cake should be set with a toothpick inserted in the center coming out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before attempting to flip it out (if you want to serve it in something else).

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 310Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 241mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 27gProtein: 4g