Oven-Baked French Apple Cake with Cinnamon
A moist and tender French-style apple cake infused with warm cinnamon, baked to golden perfection. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large apples
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- Step 2: Peel, core, and slice 2 large apples into 1/4-inch thick pieces; set aside.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, cream 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar together using a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Step 7: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, arrange half of the apple slices over it in a single layer, then pour the remaining batter on top and arrange the rest of the apples on the surface.
- Step 8: Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake edges are golden.
- Step 9: Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked French Apple Cake with Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Oven-Baked French Apple Cake with Cinnamon?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked French Apple Cake with Cinnamon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Baked French Apple Cake with Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Oven-Baked French Apple Cake with Cinnamon?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
