Invisible Apple Cake (Gâteau invisible aux pommes)
A French home baker’s favorite, the Invisible Apple Cake is a deceptively easy, yet exceptional recipe for apple season. It features nearly invisible apple slices layered in a custardy batter and baked until sweet, melty and golden. The result is an incredibly moist dessert with a big fruity flavor and a visually striking look. A fabulous way to showcase freshly picked apples! What is an invisible apple cake? Known in France as a “Gâteau invisible aux pommes”, this invisible apple cake is a beloved French cake for home bakers and…
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 50 min
- Yield
- 8 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 kg (2.2lbs) apples (about 6 apples)
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup (67g) white sugar
- 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ¼ cup (60ml) whole milk
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream (35% m.f.)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120g) all purpose-flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- 1
Step 1 – In large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until lighter in color and foamy. Add the melted butter, milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract, and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- 2
Step 2 – In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
- 3
Step 3 – Peel the apples, core them and pass them through a mandolin to get thin slices. The apple slices should be fairly thin but not paper thin – you don’t want them to break when you fold them into the batter.
- 4
Pre-heat your oven to 350°F (180°C) with a rack in the middle. Line a 9”x 5” (22,8cm x 12,7cm) loaf pan with parchment paper (bottom and edges).
- 5
Step 4 – Whisk the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. The batter should be on the thinner side. Switch to a spatula or large spoon and fold in the apple slices until they’re all coated in the batter. It will feel like a lot of apples for a little batter – that is normal.
- 6
Step 5 – Gently dump the batter with the apples into the prepared loaf pan. Go a little at a time, flattening any apples slices that stick up. Lightly press the apples down with a fork or spoon between each addition.
- 7
Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the top starts to golden. Transfer to a cooling rack, and let cool for at least 30 minutes before transferring onto a serving plate. Enjoy warm or cool. Use a serrated knife for cutting clean slices.