As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
With chunks of tart Granny Smith apples nestled in this moist cake, this French Apple Cake is the essence of simplicity.
An apple cake called tarte tatin is an upside-down apple pie, very popular in France. According to the Larousse Gastronomique, it was created by the sisters Tatin and democratized in their restaurant “Lamotte-Beuvron” in the 19th century.

Easy Moist French Apple Cake
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Resting Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings depending on size 1x
- Category: Cake, Cupcakes, Cookies and Tarts
- Method: Moderate
- Cuisine: French
Description
Experience the perfect blend of juicy apples, a delicate texture that will transport you straight to a charming French patisserie. Don’t miss out on this incredible treat and let your taste buds say ‘Oui!’ to French Apple Cake!
Ingredients
- 3 Granny Smith apples
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 130g + 16 g (1 cup + 2 Tbsp) all-purpose flour divided
- 220g + 14 g (1 cup + 1 Tbsp) white sugar divided
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 2 egg yolk
- 250 ml (1 cup) vegetable oil
- 250 ml (1 cup) whole milk
- 1–2 tsp Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare a 23cm round baking pan with parchment paper.
- Grease with cooking spray. (It is preferable if you use a springform pan so it will be easier to remove the cake.
- Peel your apples and cut them into wedges and slice them into about 1/8 cm each.
- Place in a bowl or shallow dish. Add lemon juice.
- Microwave on medium-high for about 3 minutes or until soft, but not mushy. Set aside to cool down.
- In another bowl, add 130g (1 cup) of flour, 220g (1 cup) of white sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, add milk, oil, and whole egg.
- Add dry ingredients to this wet mixture and stir to combine well.
- Take 1 cup of this mixture and place it in another bowl. Set aside.
- To the remaining batter, add 2 egg yolks and mix to combine.
- Gently mix the apples and transfer them to the prepared pan. Set aside.
- To the bowl with 1 cup of batter, add 16 g (2 Tbsp) of flour and mix to combine.
- Pour this mixture over the batter into the baking pan.
- Evenly top with the 14 g (1 Tbsp) white sugar.
- Bake for 1 hour & 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Make sure to turn the pan halfway through baking.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes.
- Run a knife on the edges and transfer the cake to a cooling rack.
- Make sure to move the cake carefully as the cake is still soft.
- Cool completely for about 2-3 hours.
- Sprinkle the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Prepared, tried, and tested by Beverley from The Recipe Hunter: Tried and Tested Recipes from Home Chefs
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 409
- Sugar: 31.2 g
- Sodium: 138.8 mg
- Fat: 24.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 45.9 g
- Fiber: 2.2 g
- Protein: 3.8 g
- Cholesterol: 56 mg

We shared this recipe with Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop 82
We take pride in participating in various weekly and monthly Linky Parties where our content is showcased.
Copyright © 2023 esmesalon.com – All rights reserved.
We invite you to join our FB Group and share your own homemade recipes and I will then showcase your recipe and picture with credit to you on the blog.
I usually make tarts with Granny Smith apples, but never apple cake. This sounds interesting.
Hope you will give this a try and enjoy it. Thank you for popping in here.
I printed this one out, and will make it this weekend. Thanks!
Hi Jan Thanks for your note, printing this French Apple Cake and I truly hope you will enjoy it this weekend. Please come back and let us know what you think as it’s always great to get feedback once someone tested a recipe.
Now that looks as good as it sounds!! I love the apple slices in the cake. Thanks for sharing at the What’s for DInner party – hope your week has started off great!
Hi Helen. thanks for dropping in and I am so glad that you like this easy and moist French apple cake. Do give it a whirl and let our know when you do what you think. Take care and have a blessed day and week