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French Apple Invisible Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 87 reviews

French Apple Invisible Cake is a delicate, thinly layered apple cake that highlights the natural sweetness and texture of apples with a light, fluffy batter. Known for its subtle apple flavor and almost translucent layers, this classic French dessert is baked until golden and topped with sliced almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar. It’s a perfect treat for those who enjoy moist, subtly sweet cakes with a fresh fruit twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Apples

  • 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

Toppings

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice apples very thinly using a mandoline if possible. Place the slices in a large bowl and set aside.
  2. Mix Eggs and Sugars: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the melted butter, whole milk, and vanilla extract into the egg mixture and mix well to combine.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is smooth.
  5. Fold in Apples: Gently fold the thin apple slices into the batter, ensuring all slices are lightly coated. The batter will be quite thin, and apples should be layered with just enough batter to bind them.
  6. Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf or square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  7. Assemble Cake: Pour the apple and batter mixture into the prepared pan, pressing lightly to arrange the apples into neat, even layers.
  8. Add Topping: Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly on top of the batter.
  9. Bake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and set in the center.
  10. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan to help it hold its shape. Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Using a mandoline ensures very thin and even apple slices, which is key to achieving the signature “invisible” layers.
  • The batter is thin by design; the apples should be the main component and appear layered rather than fully coated in batter.
  • Ensure the cake is completely cooled before slicing to maintain its structure and prevent crumbling.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and butter with a plant-based alternative.
  • This cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Keywords: French apple cake, invisible apple cake, layered apple dessert, baked apple cake, fruit dessert

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