Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake
4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, for sprinkling
Powdered sugar, for serving (optional)
Tools You’ll Need
You’ll need just a few basic baking tools:
9-inch round cake pan
Parchment paper
Medium mixing bowl
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Spatula or mixing spoon
Wire rack
Ingredient Notes
Apples
Use 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced. The thin slices make it easy to fold the fruit into the batter and arrange the remaining slices over the top.
Butter
The recipe calls for unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled before it is added to the wet ingredients.
Lemon Juice
The lemon juice is tossed with the sliced apples before they are added to the batter.
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar is optional and is used for serving rather than in the cake batter.
How to Make Parisian Apple Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
This gives you a prepared surface for the cake and makes removing it easier once it has cooled.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
Peel and core the apples, then slice them thinly.
Toss the sliced apples with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
Set them aside while you prepare the batter.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Set the mixture aside.
Step 4: Make the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk the 2 eggs and ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar until smooth and slightly pale.
Add:
½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
⅓ cup (75 g) melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk until everything is combined.
Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
Stir just until you have a smooth batter.
Don’t overmix.
Once the flour has been incorporated and the batter is smooth, you’re ready for the apples.
Step 6: Add the Apples
Fold most of the sliced apples into the batter, making sure they are evenly distributed.
Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan.
Arrange the remaining apple slices over the top.
Step 7: Bake
Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes.
The cake is ready when it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Step 8: Cool
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool further.
Step 9: Serve
Once ready to serve, dust the cake with powdered sugar if desired.
This apple cake can be enjoyed slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
What to Serve With Parisian Apple Cake
This cake is lovely served on its own, especially with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Because it can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, it also works beautifully as a flexible dessert for different occasions.
The original recipe does not specify additional accompaniments, so the cake itself remains the star of the plate.
Tips for Making the Best Apple Cake
Slice the Apples Thinly
Thinly sliced apples are important to the texture of this cake. They can be folded into the batter easily and also arranged attractively across the top.
Don’t Overmix the Batter
Once you begin adding the dry ingredients, stir only until you have a smooth batter.
Overmixing isn't necessary and can affect the texture of the finished cake.
Cool the Melted Butter
The butter should be melted and slightly cooled before it goes into the batter.
Save Some Apples for the Top
Fold most of the apples into the batter, but reserve some for arranging over the surface. This gives the finished cake a beautiful apple-topped appearance.
Check the Cake With a Toothpick
Begin checking toward the end of the recommended baking time. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Storage Instructions
The provided recipe does not include specific storage or reheating instructions, so those details are not specified here.
General Recipe Information
Recipe: Parisian Apple Cake
Oven temperature: 350°F (175°C)
Pan: 9-inch round cake pan
Bake time: 45–50 minutes
Cooling time in pan: About 15 minutes
Main fruit: Apples
Serving options: Slightly warm, room temperature, or chilled
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of apples should I use?
The recipe simply calls for 4 medium apples and does not specify a particular variety.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Yes. The recipe calls for the apples to be peeled, cored, and thinly sliced.
Why do you toss the apples with lemon juice?
The sliced apples are tossed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice before being added to the batter. This is part of the recipe's preparation.
Can I use powdered sugar in the batter?
No. Powdered sugar is listed as an optional serving ingredient. The cake itself uses granulated sugar.
How do I know when the cake is finished?
The cake should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
How long should the cake cool?
Let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool further.
Can I serve the cake cold?
Yes. The recipe specifically notes that the cake is delicious slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Final Thoughts
This Parisian Apple Cake is such a lovely example of how simple ingredients can create an impressive homemade dessert.
Thinly sliced apples, a tender buttery batter, vanilla, and just enough sugar come together in a cake that feels both comforting and elegant.
I especially love the way the remaining apple slices are arranged over the top before baking. Once the cake turns golden brown, those apples make it look like you spent far more time in the kitchen than you actually did!
Serve it slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled, and add a little powdered sugar if you like.
Simple, beautiful, and wonderfully apple-filled—this is the kind of cake that makes an ordinary afternoon feel a little more special.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you make this Parisian Apple Cake, I’d love to hear how it turned out!
Leave a review and share your experience. And if you take a photo of your golden apple cake, share it on Pinterest so other home bakers can discover this simple and beautiful dessert, too!
.png)
