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French Apple Invisible Cake Recipe

4.6 from 135 reviews

French Apple Invisible Cake is a delicate and elegant dessert featuring ultra-thinly sliced apples layered in a light, tender batter. This cake is baked to a golden perfection with a subtle vanilla aroma, topped with toasted almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar. It’s a surprisingly light treat that highlights the natural sweetness and texture of crisp apples, making it ideal for a cozy afternoon tea or a refined dessert.

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

Toppings

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples very thinly, ideally using a mandoline for uniform slices. Place the slices in a large bowl and set aside.
  2. Mix eggs and sugars: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender crumb.
  3. Add wet ingredients: Stir in the melted butter, whole milk, and vanilla extract into the egg and sugar mixture until well combined.
  4. Add dry ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt, then whisk this into the wet mixture until you have a smooth batter.
  5. Combine apples and batter: Gently fold the thin apple slices into the batter, making sure each slice is coated. The batter should be thin, allowing the apples to be layered with just enough batter to hold them together.
  6. Prepare pan and preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan or a square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring easy removal later.
  7. Assemble the cake: Pour the apple and batter mixture into the prepared pan. Press lightly to arrange the apples into neat, even layers for an elegant presentation.
  8. Add topping: Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly on top of the apple layered batter to add a subtle crunch and toasted flavor.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown on top and set in the middle. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean.
  10. Cool and serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. Cooling helps the cake hold together well when sliced. Once cool, dust the top with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

  • Use firm, crisp apples to keep slices intact and add a subtle tartness.
  • Using a mandoline slicer ensures extremely thin, even apple slices crucial for the cake’s texture.
  • Letting the cake cool completely before slicing prevents it from falling apart.
  • You can substitute almond slices with chopped walnuts or pecans for a different crunchy texture.
  • For a gluten-free version, try using an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour.

Keywords: French apple invisible cake, apple cake, fruit cake, elegant dessert, thin apple slices, baked apple cake, almond topping, vanilla apple cake