Print

French Apple Invisible Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 126 reviews

French Apple Invisible Cake is a delicate, layered apple dessert that features thinly sliced apples suspended in a light, airy batter. This elegant cake combines the natural sweetness of crisp apples with a tender custard-like texture, topped with toasted almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for an afternoon treat or a refined dessert, this cake is both visually striking and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit

  • 6 medium apples (firm, crisp variety like Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp)

Batter

  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Topping

  • 2 tbsp sliced almonds (for topping)
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples very thinly using a mandoline slicer if possible. Set these thin slices aside in a large bowl to make sure they are ready for folding into the batter.
  2. Whisk Eggs and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, vigorously whisk together the eggs with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, which helps incorporate air into the batter.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the melted butter, whole milk, and vanilla extract into the egg and sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to ensure even distribution and to prevent lumps, then whisk these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a smooth batter forms.
  5. Fold in Apples: Gently fold the thin apple slices into the batter, carefully coating each slice. The batter is intentionally thin so the apples remain the star and are layered throughout the cake, with just enough batter to bind them together.
  6. Prepare Pan and Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or a square baking pan and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to help with easy removal of the cake.
  7. Assemble Cake: Pour the apple and batter mixture carefully into the prepared pan. Press lightly to arrange apple slices into neat layered patterns to create the characteristic ‘invisible’ apple effect.
  8. Add Topping: Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top of the cake for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor enhancement.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cake is set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
  10. Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan to allow the cake to set fully and hold together when sliced. Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar before slicing and serving to add a touch of sweetness and decoration.

Notes

  • Using a mandoline slicer ensures the apples are sliced uniformly thin, which is key for the cake’s texture and even cooking.
  • Allowing the cake to cool completely before slicing is crucial for maintaining its delicate structure and to prevent it from falling apart.
  • Experiment with different varieties of apples to customize the flavor profile; sweeter or tarter apples will change the overall taste intensity.
  • You can replace whole milk with a milk alternative like almond or oat milk if preferred, although it might slightly alter the texture.
  • Sliced almonds add a pleasant crunch but can be omitted or replaced with other nuts or seeds if desired.

Keywords: French apple cake, invisible apple cake, layered apple dessert, baked apple cake, almond topped cake, elegant fruit cake

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/french-apple-invisible-cake-recipe/