Close-up of a sliced French apple cake dusted with powdered sugar, featuring golden apple layers and a moist buttery crumb.

Irresistible French Apple Cake

by

Buttery, Moist, and Elegantly Simple

This Irresistible French Apple Cake is the kind of dessert that makes your kitchen smell like a Parisian bakery! Lightly sweet, buttery, and filled with tender apple slices, it’s the perfect balance between a cake and a custard. The texture? Soft in the center, with a golden, slightly crisp top that practically melts in your mouth. Whether you’re hosting brunch, enjoying afternoon tea, or craving a cozy fall dessert, this easy one-bowl recipe brings pure comfort with every bite. And the best part? It comes together in under an hour — no mixer required!

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Servings: 8

Ingredients List

  • 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced thin
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract (optional, for a French bakery aroma)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free:

  • 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Prepare wet mixture: In another bowl, beat eggs with sugar until pale and creamy. Add vanilla, almond extract, and melted butter. Whisk until smooth.
  4. Combine: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients alternately with milk, mixing gently until just combined.
  5. Add apples: Fold in sliced apples — the batter should look chunky and apple-heavy (that’s perfect!).
  6. Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cool: Let the cake rest for 10–15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely on a rack.
  8. Serve: Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Pro Tips

  • Apple choices: A mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Fuji or Honeycrisp) apples gives the best flavor.
  • Texture tip: Don’t overmix — gentle folding keeps the cake light and tender.
  • Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Make ahead: Tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld beautifully!

Nutrition Table

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
1 slice2854g34g14g2g22g