Name: Old-Fashioned Apple Cake
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 40 min
Yield: 6 people
Cuisine: France
Ingredients: 4 apples (organic, because we're going to keep the skin); 75 g ofbutter; 125 g oflight brown sugar; 2 bags ofvanilla sugar; 3 eggs; 15 cl ofliquid crème fraîche; 170 g offlour; 1 bag ofbaking powder; 3 tbsp ofRum; powdered sugar (optional); chef's knife; mandoline (optional but useful for slicing into slices of uniform thickness); pastry whisk; springform pan (24 or 26 cm)

desserts baking cakes pastries traditional cuisine

Updated on 02 February 2026 by

ratatouille

8 reviews 4.1 : Very good

Diet

Vegetarian

Level

Easy

Calories

253 pour 100g

Preparation

45 minutes

Cooking

40 minutes

I’m thrilled to share this recipe for an old-fashioned apple cake, which I baked for a family weekend. It’s an easy-to-make dessert that looks beautiful and evokes the traditional cooking of our grandmothers.

Table des matières

What kind of pan should you use for this traditional apple cake?

All you’ll need is a springform pan to make this apple cake recipe. Also known as a hinged pan, it will allow you to easily remove and slice your cake, showcasing its beautiful thickness.

Tips for making the apple cake

I made this delicious apple cake with a classic cake batter made from wheat flour, sugar, vanilla sugar, and crème fraîche. We also add baking powder so it rises well during baking and becomes moist.

I chose not to peel the apples, for a more rustic and authentic feel. Plus, the cooked skin is delicious and enhances the apple slices.

As you’ll see, I’ve also added a generous splash of rum to this cake. This spirit pairs wonderfully with the aroma of the apples. You can also use Grand Marnier instead. However, if you prefer an alcohol-free version, the cake will still be delicious!

Give it a try!

In any case, I hope this recipe inspires you to bake this old-fashioned apple cake. If so, please let me know how it turns out 😋

Enjoy, and thank you in advance for your comments!

For

people

Add to shopping list

4 apples organic, because we're going to keep the skin
75 g of butter
125 g of light brown sugar
2 bags of vanilla sugar
3 eggs
15 cl of liquid crème fraîche
170 g of flour
1 bag of baking powder
3 tbsp of Rum
powdered sugar optional

Kitchen utensils
chef's knife
mandoline optional but useful for slicing into slices of uniform thickness
pastry whisk
springform pan 24 or 26 cm

1
Melt the butter over low heat.
Beat the butter and sugars (granulated and vanilla) until the mixture turns pale.
2
Add the eggs one at a time and whisk until smooth.
3
Then add the heavy cream and rum, and mix again.
4
Next, add the flour and baking powder, then whisk again.
5
Wash the apples without peeling them (the cooked skin is delicious and full of vitamins).
Remove the core and cut them in half lengthwise.
Slice each half into strips a few millimeters thick.
You can use a mandoline for this (see kitchen tools).
6
Grease the cake pan and pour in about a third of the batter. Then
top with half of the apple slices.
7
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Pour the rest of the batter into the pan, and arrange the remaining strips in a rosette pattern on top.
8
Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes.
The Chef's Tip
Check for doneness by inserting a knife; the blade should come out clean, with no batter clinging to it.
9
Serve warm or at room temperature.
For a beautiful presentation (and to satisfy your sweet tooth!), you can dust the cake with a little powdered sugar just before serving.