French Apple Cake with Maple Ginger Custard Sauce
This French Apple Cake with Maple Ginger Custard Sauce is a decadent dessert that combines the perfect balance of tart apples, rich custard, and warm spices. The dense, moist cake pairs beautifully with a maple ginger sauce, creating an unforgettable treat. Ideal for fall or any occasion, this recipe will quickly become a favorite for its unique flavors and impressive presentation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the French Apple Cake:
- 1 1/2 pounds tart apples (Granny Smith recommended), peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/8-inch slices
- 1 tablespoon spiced rum
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
For the Maple Ginger Custard Sauce:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1-inch piece of root ginger, thinly sliced
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon spiced rum
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the apples: Place sliced apples in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 1-minute intervals until softened (about 3 minutes). Toss with lemon juice and spiced rum, and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 325°F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment or silicone mat to catch any batter leakage.
- Make the batter: Whisk together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, mix egg, milk, oil, and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture until just combined. Remove 1 cup of batter and set aside.
- Prepare the apple mixture: Add egg yolks to the remaining batter and fold in cooled apple slices. Pour into the prepared pan, pressing apples down gently.
- Top the cake: Add 2 tablespoons of flour to reserved batter and mix until smooth. Spoon over the apple mixture and spread evenly. Sprinkle with remaining sugar.
- Bake: Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool completely before removing from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Prepare the Maple Ginger Custard Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine milk, maple syrup, and sliced ginger. Simmer, then remove from heat and steep for 30 minutes.
- Strain ginger, return milk to medium heat, and whisk egg yolks in a bowl. Gradually add warm milk to yolks to temper, then whisk into the remaining milk. Cook until thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in vanilla and spiced rum. Cool, then refrigerate until cold.
- Serve: Serve the cake warm with chilled custard sauce.
Notes
- If you don’t like custard, try pairing the cake with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a different twist.
- For extra spice, you can add cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.
- The cake can be baked ahead and stored at room temperature. Serve with cold custard for a perfect contrast.
