Description
This Best French Apple Cake is a tender, moist dessert featuring a thick batter loaded with diced red apples, baked to perfection in a buttery cake pan. Slightly sweet with vanilla notes and a dusting of powdered sugar, it’s perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream or cooled to room temperature for a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 3 red apples (preferably Pink Lady), peeled and diced into 1.5cm (0.6″) cubes (~3 1/2 cups)
Cake Batter
- 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 3 large eggs at room temperature (approx. 55g/2oz each in shell)
- 1 tsp natural or pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt (kosher salt)
Finishing
- Icing sugar (powdered sugar), for dusting
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), or 160°C (320°F) if using a fan-forced oven, to ensure even baking.
- Prepare Cake Pan: Butter a 23cm (9″) round cake pan and line the base with baking paper or parchment paper; the sides do not need lining.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking powder, and salt thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium speed for 1 minute until creamy. Add the caster sugar and beat on medium for another minute until the mixture is fluffy and pale yellow.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Beat the flour mixture in on low speed just until no dry flour is visible. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
- Fold in Apples: Using a spatula, gently stir the diced apples into the batter. The batter will be thick and not pourable at this stage.
- Transfer to Pan and Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared cake pan. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Depending on your oven, baking can take up to 45 minutes because of the thick batter.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack for another 10 minutes. Serve warm topped with a dusting of icing sugar and optional vanilla ice cream, or let cool completely before serving.
Notes
- The choice of apple is important; Pink Lady apples are recommended for their balance of sweetness and tartness, but other firm red apples can be used.
- Sugar measurement can be adjusted slightly based on apple sweetness and personal preference.
- The baking time may vary depending on oven temperature and thickness of batter; testing doneness with a skewer is essential.
- Allowing the cake to rest before removing from the pan helps it set and reduces the risk of breaking.
- Serving warm with vanilla ice cream enhances the flavor experience but is optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
