French Apple Cake Recipe
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Learn how to make the simplest French apple cake recipe with a smooth, buttery batter and a sliced apple finish! It's perfect for afternoon tea or topped with powdered sugar or whipped cream for dessert.
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Y'all know I have a long-standing love of anything French.
French capsule wardrobes. French baking. French ambiance. Quiche. Silk pie.
I've never actually been to France, but if something feels French (ie, fancy and luxurious), I'm all in.
This French apple cake recipe checks all the boxes of things I love: it's simple to make with just a few ingredients, melts in your mouth, and feels fancy.
(Plus, there's sugar. You can't go wrong with sugar.)
I'll admit to you that I don't actually like cooked apples.
*gasp*
I know, it's shocking to the ears. It's a texture thing.
But this French apple cake recipe is different from other baked apple recipes. In this French apple cake, the apples are diced so fine that they practically melt in the batter (and then your mouth). Combine that with the buttery, vanilla-laced batter, and you're about to impress all of your friends with a decadent cake that is surprisingly simple to make.
I've taken this to friends' houses for dessert and kept it on the counter as a snack cake to eat in the afternoons. It's that versatile.
If that sounds like your jam, let me tell you all about this French apple cake recipe.
Why You'll Love This French Apple Cake Recipe
Like all of my favorite recipes, this French apple cake is super simple to make with just a few pantry staples! And also:
- Rustic French charm - golden edges, soft center, and slightly caramelized apples that melt in your mouth
- Tender, buttery texture thanks to melted butter in the batter
- Diced apples inside for moist, flavorful bites that don't interrupt the cake's texture
- Thinly sliced apples on top for beautiful presentation
- Optional sourdough starter adds subtle depth and extra tenderness
- Simple enough for a weekday treat, elegant enough for guests
Ingredients for French Apple Cake Recipe
- Sourdough Starter (optional) - Adds subtle depth and tenderness to the cake. Active or discard both work. If you don't have sourdough starter, you can replace it with flour and water; just consult the recipe notes for full instructions.
- Granulated Sugar - Sweetens the cake and helps create lightly caramelized edges as it bakes.
- Melted Butter - Gives the cake its rich, buttery flavor and soft, tender crumb.
- Eggs - Provide structure and stability while keeping the texture light.
- Milk or Rum - Adds moisture to the batter. Rum gives a classic French flavor; milk keeps it family-friendly.
- Vanilla Extract - Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavor of the apples.
- All-Purpose Flour - Forms the base structure of the cake while keeping it tender.
- Baking Powder - Gives the cake lift and ensures a soft, fluffy texture.
- Salt - Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Peeled Apples (for the batter) - Finely diced apples bake into the cake, creating pockets of moisture and soft fruit throughout.
- Peeled Apple (for topping) - Thin slices arranged on top create a beautiful finish and lightly caramelized surface.
- Powdered sugar- For dusting the top of the cake.
How to Make this French Apple Cake Recipe
Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients. Whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and whisk again.
Step 2: Add remaining wet ingredients. Whisk in milk (or rum), sourdough starter (or flour/milk), and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Add dry ingredients. Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix gently until just combined. Fold in diced apples.
Step 4: Optional ferment. Cover and let batter rest 2-3 hours if using sourdough. Skip this step if not using sourdough.
Step 5: Prepare to bake. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-9-inch pan and line with parchment if desired.
Step 6: Assemble. Pour batter into the pan, smooth the top, and top it with thinly sliced apples
Step 6: Bake. Bake 70-80 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden.
Step7: Cool. Let cool 10-15 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tips & Variations
- No sourdough? No problem! Use the flour + water substitution listed in the recipe notes.
- Optional 2-3 hour ferment with sourdough for extra tenderness and digestive benefits.
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for depth of flavor.
- Thinly slice the topping apple to prevent sinking.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon for a spiced French apple cake.
Storage & Make-Ahead Notes
- Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze slices individually; thaw at room temperature.
How to Serve French Apple Cake
- With a dusting of powdered sugar
- With a dollop of whipped cream
- With a scoop of fresh vanilla ice cream
- With coffee or tea as an afternoon treat
FAQs French Apple Cake
Can I make this French Apple Cake recipe without sourdough starter?
Absolutely! The sourdough starter is completely optional. Simply replace it with equal parts flour and water as listed in the recipe notes. The cake will still be tender and delicious.
Can I make French apple cake without rum?
Yes! Milk is a perfect substitute for rum in French apple cake. Rum adds a subtle warmth and classic French flavor, but the cake is still rich and delicious without it.
What kind of pan is best for baking apple cake?
An 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan works best for French apple cake. A light-colored metal pan promotes even baking and golden edges. You can also use a springform pan for easy removal.
What are the best apples to use?
A mix of tart and sweet apples works beautifully. Granny Smith adds brightness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji add natural sweetness. Avoid overly soft apples that break down too quickly.
French Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 tbs melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 100 grams brown sugar (½ cup)
- 100 grams cane sugar (½ cup)
- 153 grams flour (1 cup)
- 60 grams room temperature milk or spiced rum (¼ cup)
- 85 grams sourdough starter (⅓ cup, *optional, see note 1)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 325 grams apples, peeled and diced very small (for the batter, about 3 small apples)
- 1 small apple pealed and sliced thin (for topping)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Mix the wet ingredients.: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth and glossy. Add the eggs and whisk until fully combined.
- Add remaining wet ingredients: Whisk in the milk (or rum), sourdough starter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix gently just until combined. Fold in the diced apples.
- Optional ferment (for sourdough version): Cover the bowl and let the batter rest at room temperature for 2-3 hours.Skip this step if not using sourdough starter.
- Prepare to bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 8-inch or 9-inch cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper if desired.
- Assemble: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Arrange the thinly sliced apple evenly over the surface.
- Bake: Bake for 70-80 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, or ice cream.
Notes
- To make this without sourdough, replace the sourdough starter with 43 grams of water and 43 grams of flour and skip the ferment.
This French Apple Cake Recipe will Be your New Favorite
Whether you love or hate baked apples, I think this French apple cake recipe is going to be a hit with your family. It's super simple to make, and the batter melts in your mouth. Top it with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream, and you'll be on your way to bringing everyone's favorite dessert to any event. Happy baking!
