Heavenly French Apple Cake Recipe with Maple Ginger Drizzle

Nestled in the heart of comfort baking, this French apple cake with maple ginger custard sauce offers a delightful twist on a classic dessert.

Rustic and elegant, the cake blends soft, tender apples with a light, airy crumb that melts in your mouth.

Warm spices dance through each slice, complemented by a silky maple ginger custard sauce that adds luxurious depth.

The recipe marries traditional French baking techniques with bold, unexpected flavor profiles.

Each forkful promises a journey through rich, layered tastes that celebrate autumn’s bounty.

Sweet and subtly spiced, this dessert beckons you to slow down and savor every remarkable bite.

Dive into this irresistible creation and let your taste buds explore pure culinary magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for French Apple Cake with Maple Ginger Custard Sauce

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb, choose unbleached for best texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization, look for fine-grained crystals.
• Baking Powder: Creates light, airy rise in the cake, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.

• Whole Egg, Egg Yolks: Brings richness, binding, and depth of flavor, select fresh farm eggs for best results.
• Milk: Adds tenderness and subtle creaminess, whole milk recommended for optimal smoothness.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moistness and smooth texture, neutral-flavored oils work best.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Delivers intense, authentic vanilla essence, choose high-quality for robust flavor.
• Spiced Rum: Enhances apple's warmth, select a smooth, aromatic variety.

• Apples: Provides texture and natural sweetness, use firm baking varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright acidity, fresh-squeezed preferred.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates elegant finishing touch, sift for smooth dusting.

Equipment That Helps with French Apple Cake Baking

• Springform Pan (9-inch): Perfect for creating elegant, leak-proof cakes with removable sides.
• Baking Sheet: Helps catch any potential leaks and ensures even baking.
• Parchment Mat or Silicone Mat: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl (Shallow): Used for softening apple slices quickly.
• Whisks (Medium and Large): Essential for mixing dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Mixing Bowls (Medium and Large): Necessary for preparing cake batter and combining ingredients.
• Small Saucepan: Used for creating the maple ginger custard sauce.
• Wire Rack: Helps cake cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.
• Small Bowls: Perfect for tempering eggs and mixing additional ingredients.
• Strainer: Removes ginger slices from the custard sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements.

Instructions for French Apple Cake and Custard Sauce

• Apple Preparation

Soften apple slices in microwave, splash with lemon juice and rum. Let cool and become relaxed.

• Cake Batter Foundation

Blend dry ingredients in one bowl, wet ingredients in another. Mix gently until just combined, creating a silky smooth base.

• Apple Layer Creation

Fold egg yolks into remaining batter, carefully incorporate softened apple slices. Press apples down creating a beautiful landscape across the cake.

• Topping Magic

Drizzle reserved batter over apple layer, sprinkle sugar on top for a delicate crystalline finish.

• Baking Transformation

Slide cake into preheated oven, allowing golden warmth to transform batter into a delectable dessert. Watch for rich caramel color and tender texture.

• Maple Ginger Sauce Crafting

Simmer milk with maple syrup and ginger, letting flavors dance and mingle. Strain ginger, then gently temper egg yolks into warm liquid, stirring until sauce reaches luxurious consistency.

• Finishing Touches

Cool cake completely, dust with powdered sugar. Serve sauce chilled alongside warm cake slices, creating a sublime flavor experience.

Flavor Tips for Elevating This French Apple Dessert

• Swap spiced rum for dark aged rum or bourbon to add deeper, more complex notes that complement the cake's sweetness.
• Prepare both the cake and custard sauce a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight in the refrigerator.
• Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend to make this recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions.
• Warm the maple ginger custard sauce slightly before drizzling over each slice, and garnish with toasted chopped nuts or a sprinkle of candied ginger for extra texture and visual appeal.

How to Serve French Apple Cake Gracefully

• Cozy Autumn Dessert Companion: Pair this French apple cake with a warm mug of spiced chai tea or rich coffee to enhance the cake's delicate flavors.
• Elegant Serving Presentation: Slice the cake into wedges and drizzle the maple ginger custard sauce artfully around the plate, creating a stunning restaurant-style dessert display that impresses guests.
• Textural Flavor Boost: Top each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to add creamy contrast against the cake's soft, apple-studded texture and complement the maple ginger sauce's warm spices.
• Holiday Gathering Centerpiece: Serve this dessert as a sophisticated finale to your thanksgiving or winter holiday meal, allowing the maple ginger custard to add a gourmet touch that elevates the entire dining experience.

Storage Tips for Cake and Custard Sauce Separately

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep the French apple cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The maple ginger custard sauce remains delicious when chilled for 3-5 days.
• Temperature Serving Tip: Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance its soft texture and rich flavors. The custard sauce tastes best when slightly cool, not ice-cold.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare both the cake and custard sauce a day before your event. This strategy allows flavors to meld and reduces day-of preparation stress. Simply reheat the cake gently in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes before serving.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each carefully in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before enjoying with the chilled custard sauce.

Rustic French Apple Cake

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delectable french apple cake with maple ginger custard sauce blends rustic French baking traditions with innovative flavor profiles. Warm spices and creamy maple-infused custard complement tender apple-studded cake slices that you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

French Apple Cake:

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) tart apples (Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/8 inch slices
• 1 cup + 2 tbsps (140 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup + 1 tbsp (220 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 whole egg
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp spiced rum
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

Maple Ginger Custard Sauce:

• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
• ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 tbsp spiced rum
• ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• Powdered sugar (for sprinkling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Apples: Microwave apple slices until soft, then marinate with lemon juice and spiced rum for flavor infusion.
2. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 325°F and prepare a springform pan with butter, placing it on a lined baking sheet.
3. Create Batter Base: Whisk dry ingredients separately from wet ingredients, combining them gently to form a smooth mixture.
4. Layer Apple Mixture: Separate a portion of batter, fold egg yolks and cooled apple slices into the main batter, then transfer to the prepared pan.
5. Finish Cake Preparation: Spread reserved batter over apple layer, sprinkle additional sugar on top, ensuring even distribution.
6. Bake Cake: Cook for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes until golden-brown, then cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Craft Maple Ginger Custard: Simmer milk, maple syrup, and ginger, steep, then strain and temper with egg yolks.
8. Complete Custard: Thicken sauce over heat, incorporating vanilla bean paste and spiced rum, then chill thoroughly.
9. Serve: Dust cake with powdered sugar and present alongside the chilled maple ginger custard sauce.

Notes

• Master Apple Softening: Microwave technique ensures tender, pliable apple slices without losing texture or moisture.
• Flavor Infusion Secret: Lemon juice and spiced rum create depth by allowing apples to marinate and absorb complex taste profiles.
• Baking Precision Technique: Use a springform pan on a lined baking sheet to prevent potential overflow and ensure even heat distribution.
• Layering Strategy: Reserving and modifying a portion of batter creates a unique texture contrast with the apple-infused base layer.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 260 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg