Imagine a dessert that combines the rustic charm of French baking with the irresistible sweetness of caramel and the comforting warmth of fresh apples. This French Caramel Apple Cake is not just a recipe – it's a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds to the charming countryside of France. With its moist, tender crumb, perfectly spiced apple chunks, and a luxurious caramel drizzle, this cake is the ultimate showstopper that will have your family and friends begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the peeled and diced apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Carefully turn out the cake onto a wire rack and let it cool completely.
- Once cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the top of the cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides.
- Slice and serve at room temperature. For an extra touch, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips
- Choose the Right Apples: Use firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor contrast.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for a smoother, more even batter.
- Don't Overmix: Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and tender.
- Check for Doneness: Use the toothpick test – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let the cake cool completely before adding the caramel sauce to prevent it from becoming too runny.
- Caramel Drizzling Technique: Warm the caramel sauce slightly and drizzle it in a zigzag pattern for a professional-looking finish.
- Storage Tip: This cake stays moist for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.Pro Hack: For an extra indulgent touch, serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 110mg
