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| French Apple Cake (Gâteau aux Pommes) - Easy & Homely |
There’s something wonderfully grounding about a French apple cake. It’s the kind of dessert that feels both humble and elegant at the same time - simple pantry ingredients, soft apples folded through a light batter, and a texture that sits somewhere between a cake and a pudding. It’s the sort of bake that doesn’t need icing or decoration; its charm comes from the fruit itself and the way it turns golden in the oven.
What I love most is how this cake fits into a much bigger story. Nearly every country has its own version of an apple dessert, each shaped by local fruit, traditions, and the rhythm of home cooking. In the United States, it’s the classic deep‑dish apple pie with its flaky lid. Germany has Apfelkuchen, often baked in a shallow tin with layers of fruit and a tender crumb. Austria has its strudel, paper‑thin pastry wrapped around spiced apples. Even here in New Zealand, many of us grew up with simple apple sponge puddings or crumble-topped trays that fed a crowd.
The French version - gâteau aux pommes - sits quietly among them, understated but deeply comforting. It’s less about spice and more about texture: soft apples suspended in a buttery batter that bakes into something custardy in the middle and lightly crisp at the edges. It’s the kind of cake you can serve warm with cream or make ahead for a special event.
What ties all these apple desserts together is their sense of home. They’re the bakes people turn to when the weather cools, when apples are used up, or when something simple and soothing is needed. This French apple cake is exactly that—unfussy, fragrant, and perfect for sharing.
In my version of Gâteau aux Pommes I've used sweet Gala apples because they were the cheapest seasonally, however they also disintegrate faster on cooking. Note that sour apples such as Bramley or Granny Smith will hold their shape better but use the cheapest or what's available, and your pie will still be just as delicious.
Ingredients:
- 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 50gms butter (divided in 2)
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/3rd cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/8th tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 egg, whisked
- Slivered almonds or chopped walnuts to sprinkle on top
- Whipped cream to serve
Watch me make this apple cake in this Youtube clip:
Method:
Heat the oven to 180°C.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the whisked egg, 25g of the melted butter, and the milk. Stir until you have a thick, pourable batter.
In a small pan, melt the remaining 25g of butter and add the chopped apples. Sauté for a few minutes until they begin to caramelise. If your apples are already quite sweet, keep this step brief so they hold their shape.
Fold the warm apples gently through the batter, then pour everything into a 25cm pie dish. Sprinkle the almonds or walnuts over the batter. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The pie should be set but still soft rather than firm.
Serve warm with softly whipped cream.
It’s just as lovely the next day, once the flavours have settled and the crumb has relaxed.
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| Warm French Apple Cake |
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