French Apple Cake Cook's Illustrated

Discover the charm of rustic French baking with this Cook’s Illustrated French Apple Cake, a delightful combination of simplicity and elegance. Studded with tender chunks of juicy apples, this one-bowl wonder boasts a moist, buttery crumb enriched with the warm, subtle kick of dark rum and fragrant vanilla. Perfectly golden on top and lightly dusted with powdered sugar, this cake is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Made with pantry staples and just 20 minutes of prep, it’s an effortless dessert that pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Ideal for casual gatherings or a cozy indulgence, this versatile French apple cake is a must-try for lovers of apple desserts and timeless European baking.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 8 tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 2 Large eggs
• 3 tablespoons Dark rum
• 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 1.5 pounds All-purpose apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and adjust the oven rack to the center position. Grease and flour a 9-inch round springform pan or coat it with non-stick baking spray.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the granulated sugar and eggs until creamy, light, and pale in color, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 4

Add the melted butter, rum, and vanilla extract to the egg-sugar mixture and whisk until smooth and fully combined.

Step 5

Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a silicone spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 6

Gently fold the diced apples into the batter until evenly distributed. The batter will be thick and mostly coat the apples.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula to create an even layer.

Step 8

Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few crumbs attached.

Step 9

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before removing the springform ring.

Step 10

Sprinkle the top of the cake with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature alongside whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1278.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2662.8

Total Fat 104.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 620mg	0%
Sodium 1196.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 399.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.6g	0%
Total Sugars 276.7g
Protein 27.4g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 138.0mg	0%
Iron 8.2mg	0%
Potassium 1032.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.6%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 60.3%