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French Apple Cake Recipe

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4.1 from 72 reviews

This elegant French Apple Cake features tender layers of spiced apple slices baked into a moist, buttery cake with a crunchy almond topping. Using crisp Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, aromatic almond extract, and a touch of cinnamon, this cake delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth. Finished with a glossy apricot preserve glaze, it’s a delightful dessert ideal for any occasion.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Apples

  • 4 Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples

Batter

  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ cup salted butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping

  • ¼ cup raw sliced almonds
  • 2 tablespoons apricot preserves (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Prep: Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 350ºF (175ºC). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and spray the sides to prevent sticking.
  2. Apples: Peel the apples and use a mandoline to thinly slice them, discarding the cores. Reserve ½ cup of apple slices to use for the topping.
  3. Combine: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and ⅔ cup sugar until well combined. Add almond extract, vanilla bean paste, and melted butter, whisking again. Stir in cinnamon, kosher salt, and baking powder. Pour in the milk and whisk to combine. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in half the flour, then fold in the remaining flour along with the apple slices (except the reserved ½ cup) just until incorporated without overmixing.
  4. Topping: In a separate bowl, toss the reserved apple slices with 2 tablespoons sugar and the raw sliced almonds. Set aside.
  5. Layer: Pour the prepared batter into the springform pan and smooth the top evenly. Arrange the apple and almond topping evenly over the batter.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
  7. Brush: Mix the apricot preserves with 1 teaspoon water and microwave for 20-30 seconds until melted and loosened. While the cake is warm, brush the apricot glaze over the top to add shine and flavor. Let the cake cool for 30 minutes before removing the sides of the springform pan. Run a knife along the pan’s rim to loosen the cake before unclipping for best results. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavor and texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the cake tender.
  • Brushing the cake with warmed apricot preserves adds a beautiful glaze and subtle sweetness.
  • If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract works well as a substitute.
  • The almond extract is subtle but key to imparting authentic French flavor.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/french-apple-cake-recipe/