How to Make French Apple Cake | Food Wishes

France is famous for its fabulously fancy pastries and baked goods, but this simple, rustic, easy to make French Apple Cake is so beautiful, and delicious, it just might be my all-time favorite French cake. Enjoy!
For the fully formatted, printable, written recipe, follow this link: www.allrecipes.com/french-app...
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You can also find more of Chef John’s content on Allrecipes: allrecipes.com/recipes/16791/e...

[@KamikazeKatze666]

My grandmother (whose father had been French) used to make this cake quite often - with one difference: She soaked the apple pieces in the rum.

[@synocrat601]

I like that idea, as well as replacing the rum with an apple liqueur or apfelwein

[@toastedt140]

​@@synocrat601I used some granny smith apple spirits i had leftover from christmas and it was divine

[@synocrat601]

@@toastedt140 thank you, that bolsters my hunch

[@jeanniebrooks]

Granny Smith apple spirits….that sounds delicious. I don’t know where to get it, but I’ll try the Calvados instead.

[@jeanniebrooks]

Chef John, such a lovely and simple to make cake! I’m definitely making this!

[@dwaynesbadchemicals]

“We never let the food win.” I love it.😆

[@jfan4reva]

They should put that on a t-shirt. Oh wait! They did! Never mind....

[@WendyHett]

We've given these cakes to friends at Christmas for the last decade. I tried five or six different apple cakes, but once I found the French Apple Cake, it became the standard!

[@Particlemoment]

How lovely! Do you make full size cakes?

[@WendyHett]

@@Particlemoment Yes!! I think I use a standard springform!

[@WendyHett]

We also send along a container of a vanilla pudding-y accompaniment. French vanilla pudding and two cups heavy cream... whipped together until thick and luscious!

[@Icewing10]

How do I become your friend? 😉

[@alamofox1]

My first try was most excellent. A very moist cake. I substituted pears from the tree in our backyard. Works!

[@jamesmilos9909]

Was just looking to see if anyone subbed pears in this as I got several from a neighbor! Thanks!

[@enlilw-l2]

It works with quince too 😊

[@toodie535]

if you liked this cake with pears, try PIE with pears instead of apples--much improved version.

[@richardmeyer4859]

Yes, pear cake is exquisite! I'm using pears. I agree with leaving out the spices to let the fruit shine. What's missing in this video is the amounts used of several major ingredients, like flour & sugar!

[@Missee.P]

So good with Pears!

[@Mack777]

I remember as a kid stumbling upon Chef John’s French toast recipe and I’ve been watching ever since. Love ya

[@natalyalande]

As a kid …? How many moons ago ?

[@lilcaptain1014]

He got me with his fondant potatoes recipe. The fanciest of potatoes

[@gastonmarian7261]

​@@natalyalande 15 years ago, so, if he found the video when he was a 15 year old kid, he could be 30 by now

[@KingBeef726]

For anyone who has never made this, DO NOT ADD CINNAMON TO THIS! Let the apple shine on this one. Also, if you can find it, use the apple liqueur calvados in place of rum. More apple goodness!

[@pipmitchell7059]

Another non-fan of cinnamon! Yay!!

[@KingBeef726]

@@pipmitchell7059 Lol I do like cinnamon! I just don't think apples, or many desserts in general, always need to be paired with cinnamon.

[@pipmitchell7059]

@@KingBeef726 Cinnamon and chocolate! I don't actually dislike either, but they're both overused. Not everything is better with cinnamon/chocolate.

[@pesho123]

Definitely DO NOT ADD CINAMON or anything else for that matter. You can skip the sugar on top Chef John added before baking. This cake is so good you can only make it worse by adding things. And don't skim on the rum.

[@TriciaBinGSO]

Gotta have my cinnamon, but I'll add less based on your recommendation.

[@Mr59J]

Chef John! My fiance just made this from the apples we picked yesterday and WOW. It came together so easily following your steps and it might just be the best apple dessert ive had. Thanks for making this recipe, I understand why you're an internet legend now.

[@frankpietrantoni4575]

OMG, chef John this cake I have to make every week. It is out of this world. You are one of the best chefs around. I've make a lot of you receipts, and they are all excellent.

[@nessuno9945]

I, and everyone I bake for, loves the apple cake recipe Chef John did a few yrs, ago...it's really good, no rum, but lots of buttery, apple flavor!

[@Zerosho]

Chef John, my wife and I have made so many wonderful recipes, thanks to you. We recently made this French Apple Cake recipe and it turned out perfect and delicious. We didn't have a grid-type griddle to sprinkle the powdered sugar thru but by using a straight, small griddle made it turn out perfect. We just sprinkled the sugar thru once, then turned it and sprinkled powdered sugar to create the grid pattern. It is a DELICIOUS cake. Thanks so much. Oh, we also found the food processor you use and bought that as well. You're our hero!

[@sirensongss]

just made this, couldn’t find our vanilla but it still completely blew my mind. the intricacy of the rum with the fluffiness, unreal!!! amazing effort to fanciness ratio. thank you chef!

[@CookinwithHilda]

Oh my! Looks so tempting! 😍 I also appreciate the tricks that you are always sharing with us, you are definitely the best chef. Thank you for sharing your recipes and talents with us! 🤗

[@empathogen75]

Made this over the weekend and it’s delicious. I used a tablespoon of rum extract instead of rum and it was perfect. I also made some whipped cream with a combination vanilla-cinnamon extract I bought at a farmers market.

[@anneervin1328]

Just made this tonight. It was very nice. Husband and I enjoyed it with a lovely cup of tea. Surprisingly it's not heavy or super rich. It is light, moist, and not very sweet. The taste is delicate enough that cinnamon or any spice would really be too much. It's great as is. Yes, the 3 tablespoons of sugar sprinkled on the top works perfectly. I loved all of Chef's advice it helped tremendously. Thanks again for another addition to my arsenal of recipes. Love it!

[@ghggp1]

Just made this cake! So simple! So delicious! I used Almond extract instead of rum! Only used 2 tablespoons! Used honey crisp apples! Mine were large so I only used 2! Will be making it again! Thank you for the best ever apple cake!

[@stargazer1359]

Made this 2 days ago....Deliciously simple, vanilla only. (1 TBS).... 🍎🍐 Making again today because I have some ripe pears and will add one apple. A keeper recipe. Thanks Chef John.

[@dalewilt]

So delicious. I have made this 5 times since it was posted. Gave 3 away as gifts. You will love it and it's so easy. The 1 thing I did differently is, as one commenter suggested, I soaked the apples in rum. ❤❤❤

[@M63Tod]

Not a single recipe I’ve tried has been bad. I’ve tried a few dozen and they’ve all been outstanding. I’m trying this one tomorrow.

[@MsLamotta]

This looks fantastic! I just printed it! I’m going to make it. I love simple! I love French tarts! And cakes! I went to Cordon Bleu for pastry and I hv some good tart recipes. This is a good one. Just butter, sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla, some liquor as the main ingredients. That’s what we used at Cordon Bleu. We used liquor In everything. I like Chef John a lot. He explains things very well!

[@karentarin3235]

Oh, my goodness, rum whipped cream! That sounds amazing. I love honey crisp apples. They are my absolute favorite.

[@carolyndaughton3373]

Chef John, this looks both delicious and elegant! Thank you for sharing this easy French recipe. I love your recipes and they always turn out beautifully. Thank you also for providing your recipes to print out. Not all food channels do that and that's yet another I love your channel.

[@mstessita]

My second favorite! After apple coffee crumble cake!❤Thank you Chef John🙏

[@amaretru]

I had some apples leftover from my last shopping, didn't want to waste them, i came to your channel and as always no disappointment with your receipts. The french apple cake turned out spectacular... Thanks again for all you do.

[@TheWhiteleather]

Yay!! That is a BEAUTY! I usually use the Julia Child method and end up with a very tasty, very rustic looking cake. This fancier presentation is fantastic (and easier to cut and serve). I served this to an actual French person who came to a dinner at my home. Not only did she recognize the dish....she actually knew it was from Child's book (Mastering The Art of French Cooking).

[@op3129]

seems more Patricia Wells-ish

[@javaskull88]

What does Julia Child’s recipe do differently ?

[@op3129]

@@javaskull88 if Child offered a recipe for apple cake (gateau aux pommes), the internet doesn't seem to know it. and most french people don't know who Julia Child is - much less be familiar with her recipes.

[@TheWhiteleather]

@@op3129 You are correct! My recipe actually came out of Rombauer Becker's Joy of Cooking. I confuse the two cuz they are my 'go to' books for good, solid bases. The French lady seemed very familiar both with Becker and Child. Perhaps you don't give them enough credit.

[@greenshp]

@@op3129 I was married into a French family - in France - for two decades. French people know who Julia Child is! Especially those over 40... (Young people don't seem to know as much about cooking anymore.)

[@skyhigh6]

Made this three times, it's become my favorite dessert. Easy to make, very good.

[@autodidactin]

I made this recipe and it is a delectable crowd pleaser. Thank you for posting it!

[@SurfWhammy]

Your technique for making the circular parchment cake pan liner is excellent.

[@carolbenson6524]

Since apple desserts are my favorite I decided to listen to you and Im amazed at this great recipe!

[@leabletvt717]

I love you, Chef John! Watching you videos always make me so happy.🤗 I’ll definitely be giving this one a try.👍🏻

[@curtucson2071]

Chef John’s enthusiasm inspired me to try this & it IS delicious.

[@dianaf3250]

This is my favorite , have made it before and I like the liquer that is added, gives all the flavor! Very unique

[@krissymarie7542]

Oh man I used to make apple cakes for holidays years ago. Apple cake has to be my all-time favorite kind of cake

[@courtneyayres1120]

This was so so good and so easy! I didn’t peel the apples and only had regular rum- 5 stars from the whole family! Thanks!

[@faraabbasian]

i made this cake last night for thanks giving.turned out great and lots of complements.Thank you

[@TheDougmo5]

This is so much better than the sum of its parts. I didn't expect so little batter compared with amount of fruit to "cake" so perfectly. I had all the ingredients already and then method is as simple as making pancakes. Simpler cause you stick it in the overn.

[@frankgonzalez222]

This looks absolutely delicious! Can't wait to try it but have to wait a bit to let the weather cool off. Thank you very much, Chef John. You are a gentleman and a scholar!

[@tomsmith01SF]

Thanks chef John. Did this tonight. My first cake from scratch.

[@HomerSlated]

That looks absolutely delightful.

[@shivanidumas6607]

Oh! Prepping looks simple. Delicious. Thank you.

[@tyrepair]

I have been looking for a French dessert to make for a while that wasn't "fancy" to serve with, ironically enough, your take on coq au vin. This will do!!!! Merci beaucoup!

[@dionnepoirier4690]

This cake was AMAZING!! I used Pecan Praline Whiskey in stead of rum. Next level delicious!! 😋 Thanks Chef John!!

[@Vera.ChuckandDave]

I just made this-- delicious! The recipe is easy to follow along while you bake. Thank you!

[@M-osemW]

Don’t just look at this cake-MAKE IT! Delicious!

[@whiteconch1356]

Looks wonderful...can't wait to try. Love your shows!

[@K_A421]

Wow nailed it chef John! I can’t wait to try this French apple cake. 🇫🇷 Thank you! Yum!

[@shantelllavigne2464]

I can’t wait to try this. Thank you so much for sharing. 🥰🙏

[@Tygearianus]

I soaked some golden raisins in rum and used those instead of just splashing it directly in🎉🎉 also successfully made this with gluten free flour to make it guest friendly and was still just the best cake I ever made. I dont make a lot of cakes but that was so good I'm excited to try more.

[@hestergreen2031]

So delicious, thank you Chef John, always a great recipe….

[@BP-xe7dw]

This has become my go to quick dessert when people are coming over. Always a success. A scoop of ice cream and coffee or tee, people think I am genius. What a great recipe!!! Thank you..

[@MrWayneJohn1]

I made this over the weekend to take to a party and everyone really loved it. Since I didn't have any French rum (have to stay true to the recipe title), I used Brandy instead - very, very good. I also made a whipped cream topping and added Brandy to it. Amazing! Thanks, Chef John, for all of your great recipes and videos.

[@Kayenne54]

Happy to see that brandy will work. I don't like rum, or its smell.

[@lyndaalterio1027]

This is such an incredible desert - I've made it many times and we love it!!! Thank you for this wonderful recipe.

[@judiesuh6858]

I'm going to make this recipe for my church new comers as dessert. Looks delicious..hope my cake will come out just as pretty and yummy as Chef John. Thank you~❤

[@suzibikerbabe8073]

This is pure advocation of cake for breakfast, and I'm all in!

[@Kayenne54]

Has to be better than most cereals, plus you get some daily fruit serving. 🙂

[@julias6688]

Actually bug chunks of apple work very well and give it a more rustic effect. I love this recipe and have been making it for years. Thanks!

[@omaerin3529]

Wow, that looks so delicious, I will be making this for sure. Just in time for apple season. Thanks for sharing. Stay well and safe.

[@CatsPajamas23]

I made this for years for weeknight desserts or a weekend breakfast treat when I was married and my children were still small, except didn't use vinegar or rum and added a little cinnamon and nutmeg. I thought I created the"recipe" (sometimes w/one egg, sometimes two; sometimes with lemon juice or orange juice; sometimes with ginger instead of nutmeg, or part whole wheat pastry flour or oats, and sometimes with maple syrup, but I didn't know that it (minus the spices) was actually a thing! Of course, because it's always delicious.) 👍 Thanks for sharing.

[@gsabillon23]

I looks really good! I have to try making it. I haven't had apple cake in ages, so now is the time.

[@ninamoler1880]

I finally made this today, using Granny Smith apples and brandy because I didn’t have rum. Easy and delicious. Thanks!

[@thestraightroad305]

I have NEVER had a Chef John recipe that people didn’t love. And I love making them. Can’t wait to try this. Again and again.

[@clairewyndham1971]

That looks wonderful..and relatively easy to make! Thank you!

[@jodidavis6595]

Can’t wait to make this. That’s a beauty cake. Thank you John

[@sandragayk6714]

Not hard to make, but impressively delicious! Just follow his instructions. I love it so much my son is making it for my birthday.

[@jacquelinehurtado4781]

He never misses all his recipes look so good 😭☺️🙌🏼

[@gp94403]

Looking forward to trying this, Chef John. Will be interesting to try this recipe with calvados.

[@shyamdevadas6099]

Wow! About 20 years ago, I had this chef girlfriend who had a family recipe for something called "Apple Pie Cake". I watched make it and it was essentially the same as this...except that she DID use the apple pie spices. It was awesome. Great video!

[@brinosaurier6058]

This looks absolutely delicious. Also, and I don't know why, I especially enjoyed your commentary this time around. I always do, but there was just something special. Maybe because you love the cake so much ;) Thanks for the recipe, I will definitely try it!

[@brazoolfrasthorst7696]

I made it ! it's amazing how delicious apple pie with such simple ingredients!

[@sidesw1pe]

A few years ago I came across a recipe for French apple cake. From memory it was the same, presumably this is *the* recipe. I bought a bottle of rum just to make it. I ended up making it so often I finished the bottle rum. I thought the rum added a beautiful taste layer, it was quite subtle but I could just pick up on it. Personally I wouldn’t skip the rum when making this cake. I also soaked the apples in the rum, even though it wasn’t called for. This is definitely one of my favourites. 😋

[@hansdampf4055]

I really like the simplicity of the recipe. The pure apple flavor.👍

[@lisajensen1843]

You always have a great recipe when I need one! Thanks for excellent content!

[@patrickcomtois966]

If you had left the cooling rack on top of the cake, then sprinkled the powdered sugar, you would've had the powdered sugar AND the provocative marks. I've seen you do that on another cake recipe a while ago. This recipe looks amazing :)

[@rbettsx]

Maybe CJ has developed al allergy to washing-up since then. IMO, it would look better without the powdered sugar. He so *nearly* resisted.. and so *nearly* avoided the cinnamon.. but in the end, his inner-American got the better of him.

[@joekoscielniak8576]

I love apples and I love cake, simple vanilla and rum flavored cake. Together what a knockout idea for a cake that highlights the apple and sweetness of the rum vanilla combination. I especially like the idea that there is no cinnamon, allspice, and ginger to overpower the simple and straightforward flavors of the apple and rum.

[@coolcanoechic]

A perfect New England apple recipe to use after fall apple picking!

[@geoffreyroberts7613]

Thank you for this recipe. Sounds delicious and I have plenty of apples in the garden, so yes let’s give it a shot!🙂 Cheers, Geoffers.

[@Emslander]

Fantastic! We just ate this for dessert. No cinnamon, but perfect. Everything you say it is, Chef John, but better. I can’t think of any dessert I’ve had that was better. Maybe flan. No. This is better than flan.

[@trufflehunter58]

Making this as we type. Thank you Chef John for your rant on NO cinnamon. I love cinnamon but sometimes it's better to let the other flavours prevail. Also, I'm going with Calvados instead of Rum, although I totally get the rum!

[@NatalieCWilliams]

Chef, this looks absolutely delicious and impressive.

[@Magnate1992]

I used to watch your recipes as a kid. Love your channel.❤

[@AppRemb]

Its almost baking season and my oven will be busy this fall/winter. Going to make it a goal to try 12 of chef johns baking desserts. 😋

[@Pln0710]

What’s not in it !!! ❤you are absolutely right , thnx for sharing !

[@rhondashotwell7358]

That looks so delicious!!

[@MinervaAGindroz]

Looks very good and moist. Thank you!

[@laurabenson1278]

As always....this was a fabulous video, and I'm going to make this cake over the weekend. Thank you!

[@OmegaDestroyer99]

A friend just gave me a bunch of apples today, so I decided to try this. Very good flavor and a big hit with my family. :)

[@Miss9]

Thank you for this delicious recipe, and I appreciate very much with the way you presented the steps, so clear and thorough, and best of all, no background noise (music) to annoy. I can tell this is a great recipe and I will make it. Thank you for sharing. A big Like for you!

[@heathertempleton9974]

This looks AMAZING. I'm going to wow my friends with this one for Thanksgiving! Thanks for a great video, love the idea of adding rum to the whipped cream!

[@kurtkluge1686]

I pretty much pass on apple pies over other desserts 100% of the time, but this looks way better, and I am going to try it soon. Thanks!

[@cherrygrace3535]

I can't wait to make this cake. I hope I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed your humour. What fun!

[@SophieLovesSunsets]

Great recipe, Chef John. Thank you! I always leave the skin on apples when baking too. I made this cake this afternoon and it's such a delicious recipe. I always know fall is not too far away when I start craving apple cake 🍎🥧🧡

[@Scarlet-qg1xi]

This was amazing! Thank you!

[@willsurely]

Thank you Chef John!

[@Particlemoment]

“Sometimes nightmares can be interesting” 😂

[@tamara0012]

Wow this cake was incredibly delicious!

[@ST-rm3bz]

I made it many times during the pandemic and had a break. But will make again because it’s really the best apple cake! 🎉🎉🎉 May I use granny greens for this, I wonder…?

[@callista19w]

I made this tonight with granny smith apples. Perfection! Thank you

[@outthere9370]

I bet that cake tastes like WOW!

[@rsoubiea]

this reminds me of a apple coffee cake i used to make for my kids backs in the late 80's , no rum, it was very simple and only a few ingredients. i got the recipe from Sunset Magazine.

[@meronkeleme8660]

I love your recipes chef john, I am soooo here for your lovely humor 😀❤️ sending love over.

[@lesliespann6420]

I bet a little Boiled Cider, in place of the cider vinegar, would kick it up a notch, too. And thanks, Chef, for reminding us: “We never let the food win.” Priceless! 💚

[@sonnieandjacob]

Boiled cider would be good but never substitute vinegar in a cake just Willy nilly. Its usually there to react and balance with a base of some type and needs to be there

[@Default78334]

@@sonnieandjacob In this case, it's more to keep the apple slices from browning while doing the rest of the prep. Lemon juice would be another option.

[@lesliespann6420]

@@sonnieandjacob True, and I certainly would never substitute anything in a CAKE willy-nilly. In this recipe, per Chef John, the addition of cider vinegar is primarily used to add another layer of flavor (and as a bonus, prevent the apples from browning). Given that the recipe uses baking powder, presumably the cider really isn't there to encourage a rise. I'd feel totally comfortable using boiled cider in this recipe.

[@SYNTAAAX]

We love you chef John hope you guys are doing well