Simple French Apple Cake with Maple Ginger Custard Sauce Recipe

Sweet autumn afternoons call for a decadent French apple cake with maple ginger custard sauce that dances between rustic elegance and comforting warmth.

Ripe apples nestle into a tender, buttery crumb that promises rich flavor in every bite.

Fragrant spices mingle with delicate maple notes, creating a dessert that feels like a gentle embrace.

The custard sauce adds a luxurious layer of complexity, turning a simple cake into a memorable experience.

Each forkful whispers stories of French countryside kitchens and time-honored baking traditions.

Drizzle the sauce generously and savor the harmonious blend of seasonal ingredients that make this dessert truly extraordinary.

What Makes French Apple Cake Unique

• This French apple cake offers an uncomplicated baking experience with straightforward steps that even novice bakers can master confidently.
• The maple ginger custard sauce adds a delightful twist to the classic apple cake, creating a unique and memorable dessert that elevates traditional recipes.
• Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend treats, this cake impresses with its rustic charm and delectable combination of soft apples and tender cake base.
• Showcases the beauty of autumn's bounty by transforming simple apples into a stunning dessert that captures the warmth and comfort of the season.

What You Need for French Apple Cake

• Flour: The main structure and body of the cake.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Whole Egg, Egg Yolks: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Milk: Provides moisture and contributes to the cake's tender texture.
• Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and soft.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds a deep, complex vanilla flavor.

• Apples: The star ingredient that adds natural sweetness and texture to the cake.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds a subtle tangy note.
• Powdered Sugar: A delicate finishing touch for visual appeal and light sweetness.

Directions for French Apple Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Apple Slices

Soften apple slices in the microwave by heating in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each.

Continue until apples become pliable and tender.

Once done, drizzle lemon juice over the slices and let them cool down for a brief moment.

Step 2: Ready the Baking Station

Warm up the oven to a cozy 325°F.

Generously butter a 9-inch springform pan and place it on a lined baking sheet to catch any potential drips.

This protective measure ensures a clean baking experience.

Step 3: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set this mixture aside for later use.

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Whole egg
• Milk
• Oil
• Vanilla bean paste

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture, mixing gently.

Don’t overmix – a few lumps are perfectly fine.

Step 5: Separate Batter

Scoop out one cup of the batter and set it aside for later use.

Step 6: Enhance Remaining Batter

Whisk egg yolks into the remaining batter.

Fold in the cooled apple slices, ensuring they’re evenly coated.

Step 7: Layer the Cake

Transfer the apple-filled batter into the prepared pan, pressing gently to create an even surface.

Mix the reserved batter with additional flour until smooth, then spread it over the top.

Sprinkle with a touch of sugar.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cake into the preheated oven.

Bake for 1 to 1¼ hours, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color and firm texture.

Step 9: Final Touches

Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.

Before serving, dust with a delicate layer of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Tips for French Apple Cake Perfection

• Microwave slicing in 1-minute intervals prevents burning and ensures even softening, creating tender apple pieces for better cake texture.
• Placing springform pan on a lined baking sheet catches potential drips, keeping your oven clean and preventing messy spills during baking.
• Avoid overmixing by stirring ingredients just until moistened, which helps maintain a tender, light cake crumb and prevents dense, tough results.
• Sprinkling extra sugar on top creates a delightful caramelized crust, adding subtle sweetness and beautiful golden-brown color to the cake's surface.
• Allowing cake to cool entirely on a wire rack helps set the structure, making slicing easier and preventing crumbly edges when cutting.

Storing and Reheating French Apple Cake

• Store the French apple cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other flavors.
• Slice the cake before freezing, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Check every 10 seconds to prevent overheating and maintain the cake's soft texture.
• Preheat oven to 325°F, place cake slices on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm for 5-7 minutes. This method helps restore the cake's original freshness and prevents drying out.

What to Pair with French Apple Cake

Elevate Flavor Companions: Maple Ginger Custard Sauce Pairings

• Spice Up with Cinnamon Whiskey: Complement the cake's delicate apple notes with a smooth cinnamon-infused whiskey that echoes the warming spices in the maple ginger custard sauce.
• Brew Perfect Tea Match: Select a robust chai or earl grey tea to highlight the cake's subtle sweetness and provide a balanced, aromatic counterpoint to the dessert's rich flavors.
• Create Creamy Cheese Contrast: Serve alongside a mild, creamy goat cheese or brie to introduce a tangy element that cuts through the cake's sweetness and enhances the maple ginger undertones.
• Scoop Vanilla Ice Cream Topping: Add a cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream to create temperature and texture contrast, allowing the maple ginger sauce to mingle deliciously with the creamy vanilla.

French Apple Cake Flavor Ideas

• Gluten-Free Almond Cake: Swap wheat flour with almond flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use xanthan gum to improve texture and maintain cake structure.
• Vegan Apple Delight: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of regular oil, and choose plant-based milk. Ensure maple ginger custard uses coconut cream for creamy consistency.
• Low-Sugar Maple Apple Cake: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the cake's natural sweetness from apples and maple sauce.
• Dairy-Free Autumn Cake: Use almond milk or oat milk instead of dairy milk. Select a neutral-flavored oil like avocado oil to keep the cake moist and tender.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of apples for this cake?

Yes, you can use any firm baking apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. Just ensure they’re ripe but not too soft to maintain the cake’s texture.

• Is it necessary to microwave the apples before adding them to the cake?

Microwaving helps soften the apples and makes them more pliable, ensuring even distribution in the cake. If you prefer, you can skip this step, but the apples might be slightly firmer.

• What can I do if I don't have a springform pan?

You can use a regular 9-inch cake pan lined with parchment paper. Just be extra careful when removing the cake to prevent breaking.

• How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

The cake is done when it turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The baking time is typically between 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

French Apple Cake With Maple Ginger Custard Sauce Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Indulgent French apple cake marries classic elegance with rustic charm, showcasing delicate layers of caramelized apples and silky maple ginger custard. Sweet and spicy notes dance together, promising a memorable dessert that transports you straight to the French countryside.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) tart apples (like Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/8-inch slices
• 1 whole egg
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup vegetable oil

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, separated
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, separated
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1-inch fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
• 5 egg yolks
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

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Instructions

1. Soften apple slices in microwave at 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until pliable. This process takes approximately 3 minutes. Drizzle lemon juice over apples and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
2. Heat oven to 325°F. Grease 9-inch springform pan and position on lined baking sheet to prevent potential batter leakage.
3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in medium mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to integrate dry ingredients evenly.
4. Whisk whole egg, milk, oil, and vanilla bean paste in large bowl. Gradually incorporate dry ingredient mixture, mixing until just combined. Maintain some small lumps for optimal texture.
5. Remove and reserve 1 cup of prepared batter in separate container.
6. Fold egg yolks into remaining batter, then gently incorporate cooled apple slices, ensuring even distribution.
7. Transfer apple-infused batter into prepared pan, pressing gently to create uniform layer. Mix reserved batter with additional flour until smooth, then spread over apple layer. Sprinkle remaining sugar on top.
8. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, monitoring until cake achieves golden brown color and center sets completely.
9. Allow cake to cool entirely on wire rack before removing from pan. Finish by dusting with powdered sugar just prior to serving.

Notes

• Soften apples gently in microwave to maintain texture and prevent mushiness, ensuring even cooking and better cake consistency.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help batter blend smoothly and create a more uniform cake texture.
• Prevent overmixing batter by using a light hand when combining wet and dry ingredients, which keeps the cake tender and prevents tough results.
• Adapt recipe for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour, using alternative milk options, or replacing sugar with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or stevia.

• Prep Time: 13 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg