Description
This Parisian Apple Cake is a delightful blend of tender diced apples infused with warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom, all encased in a buttery, moist cake lightly kissed with dark rum and vanilla. The cake is topped with a sprinkle of sugar that caramelizes to form a subtle crust, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 3 large apples, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ tablespoons dark rum
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Prepare apples: Place the peeled and diced apples into a medium-sized bowl, then pour the apple cider vinegar over them. Toss gently to evenly coat the apples and set aside; this will help keep their brightness and add a subtle tang.
- Sift dry ingredients: In a separate large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. This ensures an even distribution of spices and prevents lumps.
- Cream butter and sugars: In another large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter with ½ cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and airy. This step is crucial for a tender crumb.
- Add eggs and flavorings: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the dark rum and vanilla extract, ensuring everything is combined smoothly.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Slowly add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. Then fold in the diced apple pieces carefully to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
- Transfer and top: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and use a spatula to level the surface. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over the top, which will create a lightly caramelized crust while baking.
- Bake the cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the baking dish. Cooling will help the cake set, making it easier to slice and enhancing the flavors.
Notes
- Using apple cider vinegar on the apples helps maintain their color and adds a subtle tang to balance the sweetness.
- Room temperature butter is essential for proper creaming with the sugars, resulting in a light texture.
- Folding the apples in at the end preserves their shape and prevents the batter from turning brown.
- Sprinkling sugar on top before baking creates a pleasant crunch and slight caramelization.
- For best results, use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Parisian apple cake, apple dessert, French cake, spiced apple cake, baking recipe, rum apple cake
