French Apple Cake – The Dizzy Prepare dinner

This French Apple Cake makes use of easy elements and is made with out rum. Layered, contemporary apples sit atop a ravishing and fluffy vanilla cake that is been dusted with powdered sugar to appear like a snowflake.

An apple cake dusted with powdered sugar and a serving utensil taking a slice out of the side.

An attractive and light-weight dessert that pairs splendidly with a heat espresso or tea on the finish of the meal. Would advocate serving with a Dutch Oven Pork Roast or Shrimp Stuffed Salmon for a cocktail party.

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French Apple Cake with out Rum

This recipe is definitely a model of the Strawberry Peach Cake which I made throughout a culinary immersion class in Beaune, France. An unique recipe from The Cooks Atelier which makes use of summer time berries, in school we targeted on utilizing no matter fruit was seasonal on the Beaune market.

What I like about this French apple cake is the simplicity. All it requires is one pan, apples, and a primary mixture of elements.

This permits the flavors of the apple and vanilla to actually shine. It is such fantastic recipe that everybody loves. Whereas many French apple desserts are made with rum, following Dorie Greenspan, I desire this recipe with out. I’ve even see some individuals say that is near a German Apple Cake, Apfelkuchen.

You will love this recipe as a result of:

Easy – Easy elements with a ravishing preparation.
Lovely – The layered apple prime is gorgeous and excellent for a special day.
Simple – No mixer required! Though it could make life simpler, I’ve made this cake many occasions with a picket spoon.
Alcohol-free – This can be a nice French apple cake with out rum.

Substances

Ingredients for French apple cake on a white background.

This is not all the elements to make this apple cake, however just a few particulars on just a few foremost ones.

Apples – It is vital to make use of apples that may maintain their form and likewise present sweetness when baking, particularly in recipes like pumpkin apple bread . My favourite for this recipe is honeycrisp.
All function flour – I exploit Gold Medal or Bob’s Pink Mill Natural.
Mascarpone cheese – I’ve had lots of readers say they’ve left it out over time, however I discover it supplies nice moisture and taste. This may also be substituted with crème fraîche if not following Heal Your Headache.
Baking powder – As a result of a bigger quantity is used right here, use aluminum-free baking powder to keep away from any bitter style.

Substitutions

Gluten free – This recipe works effectively with Bob Pink Mill 1:1 gluten free flour.
Dairy free – In one in every of my cooking courses, a pupil had success with omitting the mascarpone cheese, utilizing oat milk for the milk, and a butter substitute. I have not tried this myself, however she appeared comfortable!
Apples – I’ve had readers inform me the substituted pears as a substitute of apple and added cardamom which sounds scrumptious! I additionally advocate making an attempt this peach strawberry cake model.
Cinnamon sugar – For fall, I’ve had success dusting the highest with cinnamon sugar as a substitute of powdered sugar.

Easy methods to Make

Step 1: Put together the pan

Preheat the oven to 350 levels Fahrenheit. To ensure the cake slides simply out of the pan, we put together a parchment paper reduce out that is the dimensions of the pan by utilizing a pencil to attract a circle across the periphery. Then reduce the parchment paper to suit the circle into the underside of your cake pan.

This will get coated in butter, together with the perimeters, after which sprinkled with a bit little bit of flour. You will need to dump out the surplus flour and simply use sufficient to coat across the backside and all sides.

Process of mixing together flour and dry ingredients with butter and milk for a cake.

Step 2: Add the dry and moist elements

In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then, in a separate medium bowl, whisk collectively the mascarpone cheese and milk till mixed.

In a big bowl, blended softened butter till gentle and creamy (you are able to do this by hand or with a mixer). Combine within the sugar with the butter, then add 1 giant egg and vanilla extract, stirring with a spatula until mixed.

Step 3: Combine the batter

Alternating flour combination and milk/mascarpone combination, add them in small increments, stirring after every addition till clean. Pour the batter into the ready cake pan, tapping the pan just a few occasions in your counter to get it clean and stage.

Process photos of making a simple cake and layering the apples in a snowflake pattern on top.

Step 4: Layer the apple topping

Thinly slice the peeled apple into half moon items, leaving out the core. Place sliced apples in a layered sample on prime of the cake batter, then slide further apples in between every slice. Make sure that the fruit does not contact the aspect of the pan, however remains to be very shut.

A layered apple cake after baking on a white dish.

Step 5: Bake the apple cake

Bake at 350 levels Fahrenheit for 50-55 minutes, or till a toothpick inserted within the heart comes out clear. The cake must be a stunning golden brown on prime. Enable it to chill not less than half-hour then slide a knife alongside the perimeters of the pan.

The cake ought to launch simply. Place it on a serving platter and serve barely heat or at room temperature. As soon as the cake has cooled, mud with powdered sugar simply earlier than serving.

Recipe Suggestions

Use baking apples – Pink girl, honeycrisp, and fuji apples are my favourite for this French apple cake.
Measure the flour appropriately – As a result of we’re not utilizing weighted measurements right here, it is vital to make use of the spoon and stage technique.
Room temperature elements – Depart the butter, egg, milk, and mascarpone out at room temperature not less than 1 hour earlier than beginning the cake.
Oven temperature – Once I first moved into my home, I saved burning my baked items. I had my oven professionally calibrated solely to search out that it was working 50 levels increased than the temperature it was set to. The earlier proprietor had simply lived this fashion for years! All this to say, having an correct oven temperature is important. I like to recommend Thermoworks to assist with oven readings.

Storage Suggestions

Room temperature – If serving the identical day, you’ll be able to hold this cake at room temperature, or serve barely heat.

Fridge – Retailer within the fridge if planning to serve inside 1-3 days. The cake will start to dry out within the fridge as time goes on, however is nice for the primary few days.

Freezer – This French apple cake freezes fantastically for as much as 3 months for finest outcomes. I’ve frozen slices and your complete cake earlier than. Let it thaw at room temperature for finest outcomes.

Serving a slice of apple cake from a white dish next to a bowl of powdered sugar.

Serving Solutions

For a sublime ceremonial dinner or vacation meal, I’d advocate beginning with this shrimp stuffed salmon, dutch oven pork roast, or forged iron roast hen. For sides I like boursin mashed potatoes and a butter lettuce salad.

Serve this cake heat or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream or mascarpone ice cream, which is an effective way to make use of up the leftover mascarpone cheese!You could possibly additionally make this mascarpone pasta.

My favourite technique to prime this cake is with a dollop of contemporary whipped cream!

A slice of apple cake on a white plate with a fork, next to fresh honeycrisp apples.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Do I want so as to add rum?

Whereas many recipes embrace alcohol, you may make a scrumptious French apple cake with out rum. I like that this recipe is a bit distinctive in that it makes use of crème fraîche or mascarpone cheese, relying on what yow will discover and tolerate. Plus the additional vanilla supplies a lift of taste.

Can I exploit a springform pan?

Sure! That may assist with eradicating the cake. Though I’ve by no means had any points with the cake sticking after I use the ideas for greasing and dusting the pan, with the underside parchment paper.

What apples can I exploit?

Any combination of agency baking apples can be utilized, though my favourite is honeycrisp. I’ve additionally had readers inform me agency pears work effectively too for a technique to combine it up.

A simple butter cake with apples layered in a pattern on top with a slice cut out.

Apple Recipes

For extra recipes like this apple cake, see these posts. And do not miss different French recipes like this pear clafoutis.

When you make this, tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on Fb and Instagram. And in the event you love the recipe, please depart a evaluate beneath! Comply with alongside on my Pinterest for extra nice recipes.