French Apple Cake Recipe: The Effortlessly Elegant Dessert That Never Fails

Why You’ll Love This French Apple Cake

Picture this: you need a dessert that looks impressive but doesn’t require pastry school skills. Enter the French apple cake—a rustic, tender cake that’s practically foolproof and absolutely delicious. Unlike complicated layer cakes or finicky pastries, this recipe comes together in one bowl with pantry staples you likely already have.

Table of Contents

This isn’t your typical American apple cake loaded with spices and heavy on the batter. French apple cake (or gâteau aux pommes) is all about letting the apples shine. The batter is light and custardy, creating more of a vehicle for the generous amount of sliced apples rather than overwhelming them. The result? A cake that’s moist, elegant, and perfect for everything from casual coffee dates to dinner party finales.

The best part? It actually improves after a day, making it ideal for meal prep or when you want to get ahead for entertaining.

Quick Info

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Servings	Difficulty
15 mins	50 mins	1 hour 5 mins	8-10	Easy

What You’ll Need

For the Cake:

4-5 medium apples (about 2 pounds) – Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn work beautifully
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons rum or Calvados (optional but authentic)

For Finishing:

2 tablespoons granulated sugar for sprinkling
Butter for greasing the pan
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Substitution Notes:

Dairy-free: Use plant-based milk and vegan butter
Gluten-free: Substitute with 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
No alcohol: Replace rum with apple juice or omit entirely
Different apples: Avoid Red Delicious (too soft) but most other varieties work

Step-by-Step Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 9-inch springform pan or regular cake pan. If using a regular pan, line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
Prepare the apples. Peel, core, and slice apples into thin wedges (about 1/4-inch thick). You want them thin enough to cook through but thick enough to hold their shape. Don’t worry about making them perfectly uniform—rustic is the goal here.
Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Combine wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in milk, vanilla, and rum (if using) until smooth. Pro tip: Make sure your melted butter isn’t too hot, or it might scramble the eggs. Let it cool for 5 minutes after melting.
Bring the batter together. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix—a few lumps are fine and actually preferable to a tough cake.
Fold in most of the apples. Add about 3/4 of your sliced apples to the batter and fold gently to coat. The batter will seem apple-heavy—that’s exactly what you want.
Assemble in the pan. Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Arrange the remaining apple slices on top in an overlapping pattern. Sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Bake to perfection. Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The apples on top should be tender and lightly caramelized.
Cool before serving. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from springform pan or turn out onto a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Patience pays off: This cake is good warm, but it’s absolutely incredible the next day when the flavors have melded together.

How to Serve

This French apple cake is beautifully versatile. Serve it slightly warm with a dollop of crème fraîche or whipped cream for an elegant dessert. For a more casual afternoon treat, it’s perfect alongside coffee or tea.

Try these delicious pairings:

Vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce
Greek yogurt with a touch of honey
Sharp cheddar cheese for a French-inspired cheese course
Warm custard or crème anglaise for special occasions

The cake is also lovely on its own, especially when you can taste the quality of the apples shining through.

Expert Tips for Success

Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Many people prefer it after day two when the flavors deepen.

Apple selection matters: Choose apples that hold their shape when cooked. Avoid varieties that turn to mush, like Red Delicious or McIntosh.

Don’t skip the rum: If you’re comfortable with alcohol in desserts, the small amount of rum or Calvados adds authentic French flavor without being overpowering.

Make it ahead: This cake actually improves with time, making it perfect for entertaining. Bake it the day before your event.

Customization ideas:

Add a handful of toasted walnuts or almonds to the batter
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for warmth
Try pears instead of apples for a different seasonal twist
Lemon zest brightens the entire cake beautifully

Texture tip: The finished cake should be moist and dense, almost custard-like in texture. If it seems too wet in the center, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Common Questions

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious. Make sure your blend contains xanthan gum for the best results.

What if I don’t have a springform pan?

A regular 9-inch cake pan works perfectly. Just line the bottom with parchment paper and butter the sides well. You might need to run a knife around the edges before turning it out.

Can I reduce the sugar?

You can reduce the sugar by up to 1/4 cup, but remember that some sweetness comes from the apples themselves. Taste your apples first—if they’re very tart, stick with the full amount.

Why is my cake soggy in the middle?

This usually means the apples released too much moisture. Next time, try patting the sliced apples dry with paper towels, or use slightly less apple. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate.

Can I freeze this cake?

Absolutely! Wrap cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Final Thoughts

This French apple cake proves that the best desserts don’t need to be complicated. With its tender crumb, abundant fruit, and elegant simplicity, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again. Whether you’re hosting friends, bringing a dessert to share, or just treating yourself to something special, this cake delivers every time.

The beauty lies in its forgiving nature—even if your apple slices aren’t perfect or you accidentally add a bit too much flour, you’ll still end up with something delicious. It’s rustic French baking at its finest, focusing on good ingredients and simple techniques.

Ready to fill your kitchen with the incredible aroma of baking apples? Give this recipe a try and discover why French apple cake has been beloved for generations. Don’t forget to let it rest overnight if you can—your patience will be rewarded with even deeper, more complex flavors.