Light, fluffy and studded with tender chunks of apple, this French Apple Cake will be a fall favorite!  It’s made with a few simple ingredients and is one of the easiest cakes you’ll ever make!

french apple cake dusted with powdered sugar

I make this French Apple Cake countless time when fall rolls around and it never gets old. It’s incredibly light and fluffy with tender chunks of apple, and a little bourbon and vanilla give it subtle background flavor.

There are almost as many apples as there is batter, so every slice is loaded with tender fruit without feeling heavy or dense.

I love that it’s so simple yet delicious with just a dusting of powdered sugar, but top it with whipped cream of vanilla ice cream to take it over the top.

The best part of all is that it’s ridiculously easy to make. There’s no mixer involved — just a couple of bowls and a whisk — and the simple batter comes together in minutes.

This recipe actually goes way back in my family. When my son did a project on his French family heritage for his kindergarten class, he needed to bring a French food to share. Aside from a baguette, I couldn’t think of anything that would appeal to a room full of kindergarteners, so I started looking for ideas and discovered French apple cake.

It was an instant favorite. I made the recipe my own, and it’s become one of the apple desserts I look forward to making most when apple season rolls around.

If you’ve gone apple picking and need more apple recipes, be sure and try my homemade applesauce and apple crisp recipe!

french apple cake on a cake stand
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Why you’ll love this recipe

  • The cake is light and fluffy, with tender chunks of apple and the flavors of bourbon and vanilla.
  • There is no special equipment required — not even a mixer! It’s truly one of the easiest cakes you’ll ever make.
  • It’s rustic yet elegant, and perfect for any occasion.
  • This versatile cake is great for brunch or tea with a light dusting of powdered sugar, or for dessert with whipped cream or ice cream.

Recipe ingredients

This French apple cake recipe takes only a few simple ingredients as shown below:

french apple cake recipe ingredients
  • Apples. Baking apples such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp are the best apples to use in this cake recipe as they will hold their shape well. See my collection of best apple recipes for more information on varieties of apples.
  • Butter. Melted butter gives the cake a rich flavor and tender crumb. For a dairy-free option, substitute it with your favorite neutral-flavored oil.
  • All-purpose flour. Provides just enough structure to hold all of those tender apple chunks while keeping the cake light and fluffy.Baking powder. Gives the cake its lift and helps create its soft, fluffy texture.
  • Eggs. Bring the batter together and provide structure. Whisking the eggs and sugar until frothy also helps incorporate air into the batter.Granulated sugar. Sweetens the cake without overpowering the flavor of the apples.
  • Bourbon. Traditional French apple cake is often made with dark rum, but I love the warm flavor that bourbon adds. Brandy or rum work well too, or replace the alcohol with apple juice, apple cider or milk.
  • Vanilla extract. Adds warmth and complements both the apples and bourbon.
  • Salt. A small amount enhances all of the flavors in the cake.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

How to make this recipe

French apple cake takes minimal prep, no special equipment, and is one of the easiest cakes you’ll ever make!

Pro tip: I highly recommend using a springform pan with removable bottom for this cake, but if you don’t have one on hand, use an 8 or 9″ cake pan sprayed well with cooking spray, line the bottom with parchment paper and spray the parchment with cooking spray as well.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

Melted butter for french apple cake recipe.
Melt the butter in a small bowl and set aside to cool slightly.
Dry ingredients for French apple cake recipe.
Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
Wet ingredients for French apple cake recipe.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar vigorously until frothy, about 1 minute, then whisk in the bourbon and vanilla.
French apple cake batter with apples folded in.
Whisk half of the flour into the wet ingredients just until incorporated, then whisk in half of the butter until just combined. Whisk in the remaining half of the flour, then the remaining half of the butter. Fold in the apples until well coated with the batter.
French apple cake in springform pan before baking.
Pour the batter into a greased 9″ springform pan and spread evenly.
French apple cake in springform pan after baking.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tips for success

  • Cut the apples into evenly sized pieces. This helps them cook evenly and gives you plenty of tender apple chunks throughout every slice.
  • Whisk the eggs and sugar well. Whisk vigorously for about 1 minute, or until the mixture is nice and frothy. This incorporates air into the batter and helps give the cake its light, fluffy texture.
  • Don’t overmix the batter. Add the flour and melted butter as directed and mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can result in a denser cake.
  • Use a springform pan if possible. It makes the cake much easier to remove and gives it a beautiful presentation. If you don’t have one, use an 8 or 9-inch cake pan that’s been greased and lined with parchment paper.
  • Check for doneness. The cake is ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If you hit a piece of apple, simply test another spot.
  • Let the cake cool before removing it from the pan. This gives the cake time to set and makes it less likely to break apart when you remove the sides of the springform pan.
slice of french apple cake on a plate

Recipe FAQs

What kind of apples do you use for apple cake?

Baking apples such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp and Jonagold are best as they hold their shape well.

Should you peel apples for apple cake?

I prefer to peel the apples for this French apple cake as the peel would add a chewy texture that would interfere with the lightness of the cake.

Can I make French apple cake without alcohol?

Yes you can. Replace the alcohol with with apple juice, apple cider or milk.

Storage

  • Store leftover French apple cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days, or refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
  • The cake may be served at room temperature or slightly warm. If it’s been refrigerated, let it stand at room temperature for a bit before serving for the best texture.
french apple cake on a plate topped with whipped cream

More cake recipes you’ll love

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

french apple cake dusted with powdered sugar

French Apple Cake

Servings: 8 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Additional Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
French Apple Cake is light, fluffy and packed with tender chunks of apple. It's rustic yet elegant and is one of the easiest cakes you'll ever make!
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Granny Smith apples about 2 large, peeled and chopped into 1" chunks
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon see note 2
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" round springform pan with cooking spray.
  • Melt the butter in a small bowl and set aside to cool.
    1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
    1 cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar vigorously until frothy, about 1 minute, then whisk in the bourbon and vanilla.
    2 large eggs, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Whisk half of the flour into the wet ingredients just until incorporated, then whisk in half of the butter until just combined. Whisk in the remaining half of the flour, then the remaining half of the butter. Fold in the apples until well coated with the batter.
    1 lb. Granny Smith apples
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack, then remove from pan, using a knife to loosen the cake from the sides of the pan if necessary. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  1. Pro tip: I highly recommend using a springform pan with removable bottom for this cake, but if you don’t have one on hand, use an 8 or 9″ cake pan sprayed well with cooking spray, line the bottom with parchment paper and spray the parchment with cooking spray as well. 
  2. The bourbon may be substituted with rum, brandy or your favorite alcohol. You can also swap the alcohol with apple juice, apple cider or even milk.
  3. Serve this French apple cake recipe with a light dusting of powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream if desired. Powdered sugar, whipped cream are not included in the nutritional information as they are optional.
  4. Store leftover cake at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 287kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 71mg, Sodium: 217mg, Potassium: 93mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 445IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Sweets
Cuisine: French
Author: Marcie
All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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