Desserts

French Apple Cake

September 09, 2025

Recipe source: Patricia Martinescu

https://bakecookrepeat.com/recipe/french-apple-cake/

INGREDIENTS

1¼ cup bread flour, fluffed and scooped may substitute with all-purpose flour
2 large eggs room temperature
3 large honey crisp apples thinly sliced
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
3 Tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream
3 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

For the topping:

2 Tablespoons sliced almonds
2 Tablespoons granulated white sugar
1/4 cup apple slices

INSTRUCTIONS

Measure flour by weight in grams instead of cups.
Preheat oven to 350°F / 176°C. Prepare a 8"x8" square pan lined with parchment paper. Wash, peel and cut apples into thin slices. Reserve about 1/4 cup aside for the topping.
3 large honey crisp apples
In a large bowl, sift in flour, baking powder and salt to a bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.

Note: Toggle between US customary and metric buttons above in the ingredients section for exact flour weight in grams.

1¼ cup bread flour, fluffed and scooped, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
In a separate bowl, add softened butter and sugar. Use an electric hand mixer or whisk to cream together for about 1-2 minutes until pale, fluffy and soft. Then, add in eggs, one at a time and beat until shiny and smooth. Finally, add the milk, vanilla extract and Greek yogurt. Mix to combine. It may curdle but that's normal.

Note: The method of creaming the butter and sugar together is a simple yet fundamental technique that yields a fluffy and light texture.

2 large eggs, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated white sugar, 3 Tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 Tablespoons milk
Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until no more flour is visible. This batter is fairly thick but easily spreadable. This is expected and normal. If you'd prep to thin it out, add a few splashes of milk.

Note: If you'd like to thin it out to make it easier for you to spread, add a few splashes of milk but be mindful, this is not your typical "cake". It is mostly made of apples that soften when baked into a delightful and caramelized, soft texture.

Note: Lightly fold the dry ingredients with the wet to ensure a light and fluffy texture.
Prepare an 8"x8" square pan or 8" round pan with parchment paper. Spread half of the batter on the bottom of the prepared pan. Then, layer the thinly sliced apples and spread the remainder of the batter on top. This cake is mostly made of apples that soften when baked into a delightful and caramelized, soft texture.
Arrange the set aside apples on top and sprinkle with sliced almonds and sugar.
2 Tablespoons sliced almonds, 2 Tablespoons granulated white sugar, 1/4 cup apple slices
Bake for 42-45 minutes until puffy and golden or the center of the cake comes out clean when inserted with a toothpick. Do not overbake. Set aside on a cooling rack to cool before slicing. If you slice too soon, the apples may fall apart. Garnish with powdered sugar.