The Best Ina Garten French Apple Cake Recipe for Fall Baking

A French apple cake transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that sends warm aromas dancing through your kitchen.

Rustic and elegant, this delightful dessert celebrates the natural sweetness of fresh apples with a tender, moist crumb.

Each slice promises a delicate balance between soft cake and chunky fruit pieces that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Seasonal baking reaches new heights when simple ingredients merge into something magical and irresistible.

Home bakers can effortlessly craft this classic French dessert that looks impressive yet requires minimal technical skill.

The recipe strikes a perfect harmony between approachable technique and gourmet presentation, making it ideal for casual gatherings or special occasions.

Your friends and family will marvel at the beautiful golden-brown surface and irresistible aroma wafting from the oven: Get ready to impress.

Why French Apple Cake Feels Like Paris at Home

• Savor Rustic French Elegance: Experience a classic French dessert that brings the charming countryside right to your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
• Enjoy Incredible Texture Contrast: Discover a delightful combination of soft, moist cake interior with crispy, caramelized sugar-crusted edges that create a stunning sensory experience.
• Master Simple Gourmet Technique: Learn an effortless baking method that transforms basic ingredients into a sophisticated dessert, perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want to impress without complicated steps.

Everything You Need for French Apple Cake

Main Ingredients:

• Apples: Fresh, crisp apples perfect for a rustic French-style cake, preferably varieties that hold shape during baking.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Helps prevent apple browning and adds subtle tangy flavor to the fruit.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture to the cake, key to achieving classic French cake consistency.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness of the cake.

• Butter: Rich, high-quality butter creates a tender and flavorful cake base.
• White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Blend of sugars provides depth of sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cake's rich, smooth texture.
• Rum: Adds sophisticated flavor and traditional French baking complexity.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic background flavor to complement apples.

• Powdered Sugar: Optional decorative topping that adds light sweetness and elegant presentation.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.

The Steps to French Apple Cake Simplicity

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9-inch round cake pan and get ready to create magic. Generously coat the pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Tackle the Apples

Approach your apples with confidence. You can keep the skin on or peel them – totally your call! Slice and dice the apples into charming little cubes (about 1/4 to 3/8-inch). Toss these apple bits with a splash of apple cider vinegar in a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 3: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk these together until they’re best friends.

Step 4: Whip Up the Butter Mixture

Grab your electric mixer and transform butter, white sugar, and brown sugar into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness. Beat them until they’re light and airy.

Step 5: Introduce Eggs and Flavor Boosters

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each. Pour in rum and vanilla extract for that extra wow factor. Mix until everything looks perfectly combined.

Step 6: Merge Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually introduce the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Use a gentle folding technique with a spatula to keep things smooth and avoid overmixing.

Step 7: Welcome the Apples

Gently fold those apple cubes into the batter. Distribute them evenly so every slice gets a fair share of fruity goodness.

Step 8: Final Pan Preparation

Transfer the batter to your prepared pan. Press it down firmly and create a smooth surface. Sprinkle the remaining sugar on top for a delightful crunch.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for about 45 minutes. Pro tip: The cake is ready when a skewer comes out clean from the center.

Step 10: Cool and Present

Let the cake rest in the pan for 30 minutes. Carefully invert onto a wire rack, then flip back to your serving plate. For an elegant touch, dust with powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy.

Apple Cake Tips Straight from the French Pantry

• Select Sturdy Apples: Pick firm, crisp varieties like Honeycrisp that maintain their shape and provide a delightful texture in every bite.
• Chop Apples Uniformly: Cut apple cubes precisely between 1/4 to 3/8 inch to guarantee even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the cake.
• Gentle Batter Mixing: Stir ingredients just until combined to preserve the cake's light, airy structure and prevent a heavy, dense result.
• Prepare Pan Perfectly: Thoroughly grease the pan and line with parchment paper for effortless cake removal and a beautiful presentation.
• Patient Cooling Process: Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 30 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, helping it set and slice cleanly.

Storage Advice for This Elegant Dessert

• Airtight Container Method: Transfer cooled cake to a sealed container with a tight-fitting lid. Protect the delicate cake from absorbing other refrigerator odors while maintaining its moisture and texture.
• Slice Protection Method: Place parchment paper between cake slices before storing. Prevents sticking and makes grabbing individual pieces a breeze without damaging the cake's delicate structure.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Creates an extra barrier against freezer burn and makes thawing individual portions super convenient.

Unique Takes on French Apple Cake

• Rustic Country Apple Cake: Replace rum with calvados for an authentic French countryside flavor, adding a deeper apple essence to the dessert.
• Mediterranean Citrus Apple Delight: Incorporate orange zest and replace vanilla with orange blossom water, creating a bright and fragrant cake with a Mediterranean touch.
• Nutty Harvest Apple Cake: Mix chopped almonds or walnuts into the batter and sprinkle additional chopped nuts on top for extra crunch and autumn-inspired texture.
• Spiced Caramel Apple Variation: Add ground cinnamon and nutmeg to the flour mixture, then drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cooled cake for a rich, comforting dessert.

Recap of the French Apple Cake Experience

Ina Garten’s French Apple Cake emerges as culinary poetry, blending rustic charm with elegant sophistication.

Nostalgic aromas waft through kitchens, promising comforting memories of classic French desserts.

Warm rum-kissed notes dance alongside caramelized apple chunks, creating harmonious flavors that transport palates to Parisian bakeries.

Subtle sweetness balances delicate textures, making this cake a masterpiece of simplicity and indulgence.

Home bakers can effortlessly recreate this Mediterranean-inspired treat with basic ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Passionate cooks who share this recipe spread joy, connection, and deliciousness – scroll, snap a photo, tell friends, and let this delightful French apple cake become your next baking adventure.

Ina Garten French Apple Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s French Apple Cake blends rustic charm with elegant simplicity, showcasing delicate apple slices nestled in a tender, buttery batter. Fragrant with vanilla and kissed by a light dusting of powdered sugar, this classic French dessert invites you to savor a slice of pure culinary comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 large baking apples (such as Honeycrisp)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature (113 g / 4 ounces)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g / 4.2 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (5 g / 0.2 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (5 g / 0.2 ounces)
• ½ cup white sugar (100 g / 3.5 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (25 g / 0.9 ounces)
• 3 tablespoons white sugar for the top (37.5 g / 1.3 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar for dusting (optional) (8 g / 0.3 ounces)

Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (10 ml / 0.34 fluid ounces)
• 3 tablespoons dark rum (45 ml / 1.5 fluid ounces)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (2.5 ml / 0.08 fluid ounces)

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing with butter and lining the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Wash and prepare the apples by peeling (or leaving skin on) and removing the cores. Dice into uniform 1/4 to 3/8-inch (0.6 to 1 cm) cubes. Toss apple pieces with apple cider vinegar in a mixing bowl to prevent browning.
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate small bowl to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
4. Using an electric mixer, cream butter with white sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale in color.
5. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in rum and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
6. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in two stages, stirring gently to maintain the batter’s delicate texture. Use a spatula to fold ingredients together carefully.
7. Gently fold apple cubes into the batter, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
8. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan, pressing it down evenly and smoothing the top surface. Sprinkle the remaining of sugar across the top for a caramelized finish.
9. Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean without any raw batter.
10. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Carefully invert onto a wire rack, then flip back onto a serving plate to maintain the cake’s structure.
11. Optional: Dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation. Slice and serve at room temperature, enjoying the moist, apple-studded cake.

Notes

• Select sturdy, crisp apples like Honeycrisp for maximum flavor and structural integrity in your cake.
• Precision matters when chopping apples into uniform 1/4 to 3/8 inch cubes, ensuring consistent baking and tender texture throughout.
• Gentle mixing prevents tough cake texture, so combine ingredients minimally to maintain a light, airy crumb.
• Parchment paper and thorough greasing create a foolproof release method, guaranteeing your cake emerges perfectly intact.
• Allowing the cake to rest and cool slowly helps stabilize its structure, making slicing smoother and preserving delicate layers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 273 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 155 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 3.6 g
• Cholesterol: 77 mg