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French Apple Invisible Cake Recipe

4.4 from 141 reviews

A delicate French Apple Invisible Cake featuring thinly sliced apples suspended in a light, fluffy batter. This cake is beautifully layered and baked until golden brown, finished with toasted almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant dessert that’s both light and flavorful.

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

Topping

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples very thinly, preferably using a mandoline for even slices. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl and set aside.
  2. Make Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring good incorporation and volume.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the melted butter, whole milk, and vanilla extract into the egg and sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt into the bowl, then whisk gently until the batter is smooth with no lumps.
  5. Combine Apples and Batter: Gently fold the thin apple slices into the batter, ensuring all slices are evenly coated. The batter will be thin, so handle carefully to keep the apple layers intact.
  6. Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf or square pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  7. Assemble Cake: Pour the apple and batter mixture into the prepared pan, pressing lightly to arrange apples in neat layers for an even texture and appearance.
  8. Add Topping: Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top of the batter to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown on top and set in the center.
  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 when sliced. Before serving, dust the top lightly with powdered sugar for a classic finish.

Notes

  • Using a mandoline for slicing apples ensures uniform thin slices which are critical for the cake’s texture.
  • Allow the cake to cool fully before slicing to prevent it from falling apart due to the delicate, thin layers of apples and batter.
  • You can substitute whole milk with a lower-fat milk if desired, but whole milk contributes to the moist, tender crumb.
  • Almonds on top can be replaced or omitted for a nut-free version.
  • For extra flavor, sprinkle a little cinnamon in the batter or over the apples before folding.

Keywords: French apple cake, invisible apple cake, layered apple dessert, light apple cake, almond topped cake, easy French dessert