Ina Garten’s Country-Style French Apple Cake Recipe
Sweet autumn afternoons call for something magical, and this French apple cake from Ina Garten delivers pure comfort.
Layers of tender apples nestled in a delicate French apple cake recipe create a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.
Buttery, soft, and subtly sweet, this cake captures the essence of rustic French baking.
Each slice promises a perfect balance of fruit and fluffy cake texture.
The recipe celebrates simplicity with fresh ingredients that sing of classic French pastry techniques.
Bakers of all skill levels can master this delightful dessert that turns ordinary moments into something extraordinary.
One bite will transport you to a cozy Parisian café, making every slice a small celebration of flavor.
Must-Have Tools for This Elegant French Bake
9-inch round cake pan: Essential for baking the cake with the right shape and size.
Parchment paper: Crucial for easy cake removal and preventing sticking.
Electric mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugars to light, fluffy perfection.
Large mixing bowl: Needed for tossing apple cubes and preparing ingredients.
Small mixing bowls: Great for separating dry and wet ingredients.
Spatula: Ideal for gently folding ingredients and creating a smooth batter.
Sharp knife: Useful for peeling and cutting apples into precise cubes.
Skewer or toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.
Wire rack: Excellent for cooling the cake evenly after baking.
Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient quantities.
How Ina Layers Apples into Her French Cake
Cozy Apple Adventure
Kitchen Preparation Warm up your oven to a toasty 350°F and lovingly coat a round cake pan with butter, tucking a parchment paper blanket at the bottom.
Apple Magic Grab some crisp apples and slice them into charming little cubes, letting them dance with a splash of apple cider vinegar in a mixing bowl.
Flour Power Whisk together flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl, creating a soft, powdery canvas for your cake.
Butter Bliss Cream together butter and sugars until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that looks like pure happiness.
Egg Symphony Gently introduce eggs one at a time, letting them waltz into the batter. Splash in rum and vanilla for a flavor explosion.
Gentle Mixing Fold the flour mixture into the buttery base, creating a smooth, dreamy landscape for your apples.
Apple Embrace Tenderly fold apple cubes into the batter, ensuring each piece gets a loving coating of sweet goodness.
Pan Performance Carefully transfer the batter to your prepared pan, pressing it down softly. Sprinkle a final dusting of sugar on top for a sparkly finish.
Oven Magic Slide the pan into the oven and bake for about 45 minutes, waiting for the cake to turn golden and fill your kitchen with heavenly aromas.
Cooling Celebration Let the cake rest and cool, then gently unmold onto a serving plate. If you're feeling extra fancy, dust with a snowfall of powdered sugar.
Tips to Make This Cake More Moist or More Bold
Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn for unique flavor profiles and textures that complement the cake's delicate structure.
Replace rum with bourbon or calvados for a deeper, more complex alcohol-infused taste that enhances the apple's natural sweetness.
Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to make the cake accessible for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining its delightful texture.
Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking to introduce a delightful textural contrast and nutty depth to the French apple cake's soft crumb.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to transform this simple cake into an elegant dessert that impresses guests with minimal effort.
Serving Up French Apple Cake in Style
Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve this delightful French apple cake alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a luxurious dessert experience.
Afternoon Tea Delight: Cut into elegant slices and enjoy with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea or a smooth cappuccino during a relaxed afternoon break.
Elegant Dessert Presentation: Dust the cake with a light snowfall of powdered sugar just before serving, creating a stunning visual that enhances the rustic French charm of this delectable treat.
Weekend Brunch Star: Showcase this cake as a centerpiece for a weekend brunch, offering guests a sweet and sophisticated alternative to traditional breakfast pastries.
Storing This Cake Like a French Bakery Would
Slice and Savor Immediately: Enjoy this French apple cake fresh on the day of baking for the most incredible texture and flavor experience.
Refrigerate for Extended Enjoyment: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining its delightful moisture and taste.
Freeze for Future Treats: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 2 months for a quick dessert option.
Room Temperature Revival: Bring refrigerated or frozen cake to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to restore its original soft and tender crumb.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Calories: 284 kcal
Servings: 8
Shopping List for Ina Garten’s French Apple Cake
For The Fruity Backbone:
Apples: Bring vibrant, sweet-tart essence and juicy texture; choose firm, crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best structure.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Enhances apple flavor and prevents browning, adding a subtle tangy brightness.
For The Binding And Structure:
All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender cake base with perfect crumb; use fresh, sifted flour for smoothest texture.
Baking Powder: Provides essential lift and airiness to the cake's overall structure.
Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor profiles.
For The Rich And Indulgent Base:
Butter: Delivers rich, creamy foundation with luxurious mouthfeel; use high-quality European-style butter for deeper flavor.
White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Contribute multilayered sweetness and help create golden caramelized exterior.
Eggs: Bind ingredients, add moisture and provide structural support.
Ina Garten’s French apple cake brings rustic elegance to dessert tables with simple ingredients and classic technique. Home bakers can savor this delightful French classic that delivers rich apple flavor and delicate crumb you’ll adore.
Ingredients
Scale
3 large baking apples (such as Honeycrisp)
1 stick (113 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs
1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) all-purpose flour
½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) white sugar
2 tbsps (25 g / 0.9 oz) light brown sugar
3 tbsps (37.5 g / 1.3 oz) white sugar for the top
1 tsp (5 g / 0.2 oz) baking powder
1 tsp (5 g / 0.2 oz) kosher salt
3 tbsps (45 ml / 1.5 fl oz) dark rum
2 tsps (10 ml / 0.34 fl oz) apple cider vinegar
½ tsp (2.5 ml / 0.08 fl oz) vanilla extract
1 tbsp (8 g / 0.3 oz) powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9-inch round cake pan, lining the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
Apple Preparation: Core and dice apples into uniform cubes, tossing with apple cider vinegar to prevent discoloration and maintain freshness.
Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together to ensure even distribution and prevent lumps in the final batter.
Butter Mixture: Cream butter with white and brown sugars using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, creating a smooth base for the cake.
Egg Integration: Add eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then incorporate rum and vanilla extract to develop a rich, aromatic flavor profile.
Batter Assembly: Gradually fold flour mixture into the butter base in two stages, using a gentle technique to maintain the batter’s delicate texture and prevent overmixing.
Apple Distribution: Carefully fold apple cubes into the batter, ensuring even spread throughout the mixture for consistent flavor and texture in each slice.
Baking Process: Transfer batter to prepared pan, smoothing the surface and sprinkling remaining sugar on top to create a caramelized, golden crust during baking.
Cooling and Serving: Bake for 45 minutes until a skewer comes out clean, cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack and serving plate; optionally dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving at room temperature.
Notes
Prevent Apple Browning: Toss diced apples with apple cider vinegar to maintain fresh color and prevent oxidation.
Mixing Technique: Cream butter and sugars until light and pale to ensure a fluffy, tender cake texture.
Gentle Folding Method: Incorporate flour and apples carefully to maintain the batter’s delicate structure and prevent tough cake.
Perfect Doneness Check: Use a skewer to test cake’s readiness; it should come out clean without raw batter residue.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.