Salted French Apple Cake with Almond Topping
A tender French-style apple cake featuring thinly sliced apples nestled in buttery batter, finished with a crunchy salted almond topping. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, large eggs 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
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1, peeled and thinly sliced large apple
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch round cake pan with 1 tbsp unsalted butter.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar using a hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, followed by 1 tsp vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet batter until just combined.
- Step 5: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and arrange half of the thinly sliced apple (1 apple total, peeled and thinly sliced) evenly over the batter.
- Step 6: Pour the remaining batter over the apples, smoothing the top with a spatula. Arrange the remaining apple slices on top.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 1/3 cup sliced almonds evenly over the apples and finish with 1/4 tsp flaky sea salt.
- Step 8: Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Step 9: Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Salted French Apple Cake with Almond Topping take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 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 Salted French Apple Cake with Almond Topping?
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 Salted French Apple Cake with Almond Topping?
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 Salted French Apple Cake with Almond Topping 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 Salted French Apple Cake with Almond Topping?
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.
