Parisian Apple Cake

This Parisian Apple Cake is the epitome of French rustic baking—elegant, simple, and incredibly fragrant. Unlike a traditional American apple cake that might be dense or heavily spiced, this version is light and buttery, designed to let the fresh apples be the star. The addition of dark rum and a hint of cardamom provides a sophisticated, floral depth that pairs beautifully with the tartness of the apples.

Parisian Apple Cake

Ingredients:

How To Make Parisian Apple Cake:

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Apples: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish. Place your diced apples in a bowl and toss them with the apple cider vinegar. This prevents browning and adds a tiny hint of brightness to the fruit.

Step 2: Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. Sifting is key here to ensure the delicate spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, beat the room-temperature butter with the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and the brown sugar until the mixture is light and airy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then stir in the rum and vanilla extract.

Step 4: Combine and Fold: Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The batter will be quite thick. Gently fold in the diced apples until they are well-coated.

Step 5: Bake: Transfer the batter to your prepared dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar over the top to create a crackly, sweet crust. Bake for 40/45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the dish before slicing. This allows the juices from the apples to settle, resulting in a much better texture.