Mixed in one bowl this French Country Apple Cake bakes up with a custardy middle filled with apples and a crackly walnut and sugar topping.
This French Country Apple Cake might become your new favorite cake. Reminiscent of a classic French Apple Cake it has a crumb that is sweet and custardy with a top that bakes up light and crumbly. The fresh apples pair beautifully with the toasty walnut and sugary topping. And a drizzle of salted caramel sauce provides each slice with its pièce de résistance.
Watch how to make French Country Apple Cake:
Tips for making French Country Apple Cake:
- Use a firm apple in this cake. Here’s a terrific article that details the 12 best apples for baking.
- This is the pairing knife I used in the video.
- I always bake this cake in a standard 9-inch cake pan. You can use a springform pan if you prefer.
- Use a hand or stand mixer to mix the cake batter.
- This cake will keep at room temperature (covered) for up to two days.
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French Country Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1 stick (8 tbs) unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup full fat sour cream
- 2 large apples peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts finely chopped
- salted caramel sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip together the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition.
- Fold in the apples. Spread the batter in the prepared cake pan
- Sprinkle the walnuts evenly on top of the cake batter.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar evenly over the walnuts.
- Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes.
- Let the cake cool in the pan and slice and serve the cake from the pan. This cake is even better if it is still warm when served!
- Drizzle each slice of cake with salted caramel sauce to serve.
Nutrition
I’m a creature of habit in the kitchen. When I find a recipe I love I’ll recreate it oven and over again. My French Strawberry Cake literally has thousands of fans. So I figured I might as well tailor that same recipe to every season and occasion.
More Cake Recipes:
- French Strawberry Cake
- Peach Pecan Upside Down Cake
- Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake
- Sugared Cranberry Cake
- Red White and Blue Berry Cake
- Kentucky Butter Cake
- Chocolate Lava Cakes
Pam says
I’m sitting here with a cup of coffee and wishing I had a piece of that cake right now! So delicious looking.
foodtasticmom says
It is delicious with coffee – had a slice this morning with my coffee 🙂
Tawnie Kroll says
What a fantastic recipe, I love all things cake and apples!!!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much Tawnie!
Jamie says
Wow I wanted to lick my screen! Your pictures are amazing and I love the look of this cake. I’ll be trying this for sure!
foodtasticmom says
I appreciate this so much. Wish I could send you a slice!
Annemarie says
I need to try this cake! That sugary topping looks amazing.
foodtasticmom says
You absolutely do!
Sylvie says
I’m a sucker for a good apple cake and this one hits the mark! The walnuts are the little extra touch that make this recipe special too!
foodtasticmom says
Great comment. Thank you!
Sylvie says
Woops, forgot to rate this yummy recipe – here we go!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much!
Hadia says
TI love apple based desserts and this looks out of the world good, thank you for sharing!
foodtasticmom says
You’re very welcome!
Stephanie says
This cake looks amazing. Don’t know why I never think of apples for cakes since that’s my favorite fruit. And that caramel drizzle just takes this over the top.
foodtasticmom says
I hope you try it. Thanks Stephanie!
Jennifer says
Apple pie is my favorite. I bet this tastes amazing and full of flavor.
foodtasticmom says
It really does!
Tara says
The texture of this cake is just divine!
foodtasticmom says
It really is. Something magical happens in the oven with the fresh apples and the cake batter!
Kristen says
Is it weird that I like this cake best for breakfast? I mean the apples make it healthy right? And it’s perfect with coffee.
foodtasticmom says
Not weird at all. After I made it I ate it the next morning for breakfast and loved it!
Heidy L. McCallum says
I am always looking for awesome recipes that include apples, as I am so bad about eating them raw, yet they are so good for you. This recipe looks perfect for me to get a few more in. I can not tell you enough how excited I am to try this recipe as soon as possible.
foodtasticmom says
I love hearing this. I much prefer cooked apples over raw too!
susan | the wimpy vegetarian says
This looks and sounds absolutely amazing! Pinning right now to make!!!!
foodtasticmom says
Happy to hear it. Thank you for the Pin!
Olga says
I made this with frozen cherries and topped with powdered sugar. Thanks a lot for the receipe
foodtasticmom says
Cherries is a new version I haven’t heard anyone else try yet. Love it. Thank you for taking the time to share!
Lisa Hutson says
Made this and it is wonderful. Something magical happens to the inside if this cake giving it a custard filling. Is this supposed to be this way?
foodtasticmom says
Yes, that is exactly what is supposed to happen. So glad you enjoyed the cake!!
Lisa says
Amazing!! Easy to make and sooo tasty!!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you for the positive comment and review.
Jess K says
Made this, and it is a-mazing! The perfect welcome to the month of September!
I used a medley of foraged apples (mostly tart), which gave it a bright complexity.
I actually think it got even better as the days went on!
I didn’t change a thing in the recipe – thank you so much!
Diane says
I made this a few days ago and love it. Such a simple recipe but it is so good! I didn’t do the caramel sauce because it doesn’t need it. Lots of sweetness from the apples and sprinkled sugar on top. It was a delightful dessert. Will make again!
foodtasticmom says
So happy to hear this. Thanks for taking the time to rate and comment.
Sunshinebaker says
This is incredibly moist and delicious! I didn’t make the caramel topping because I don’t feel it needs it. I would consider adding some cinnamon next time.
foodtasticmom says
Cinnamon would be a great addition. I’m so happy you loved the cake. Thank you for your positive feedback, I appreciate it!
Diane S says
Could this be made in mini loaf pans for individual servings?
foodtasticmom says
I think so. Here’s some baking time conversions…https://www.thespruceeats.com/cake-baking-times-per-pan-305281
Baking time for mini loaf pans would be in the cupcake range, I think.
Megan says
Can the walnuts be optional? With 1/2 cup I didn’t know if something else needed to be increased if they are eliminated.
foodtasticmom says
You could maybe add a few more apples pieces. But you really can just leave the walnuts out. Enjoy!