French Apple Cake

Some of my favorite memories with my children have been made at the various festivals and harvest playgrounds that pop up during this season. Last weekend, the kids and I traveled to a tiny little historical town for their apple festival. We have gone every year as a family since we've been married and although Paul was unable to join us I had no plans to skip this year! The weather was beautiful and as a result the festival was so incredibly crowded and busy. Aunt Jen was able to meet up with us and the kids always enjoy spending time with her. She's the greatest.

While Matthew was at school during the week, the girls were being particularly good so I surprised them with trip to our local farmer's market where they set up a whole bunch of fun inflatables for the kids to plan on, a petting zoo, a corn maze, and a not-so-scary haunted house. Plus, they have a whole bunch of creative pumpkin displays for the kids to look at - pumpkins decorated as all kinds of familiar characters including Winnie-the-Pooh, Monster's Inc., Mickey Mouse, Paw Patrol, and so many more! The girls were psyched to discover where we were going but for some reason turned into shy little things once it came time for them to climb on the inflatables. I had been secretly hoping that they would go off and play and I could sit and listen to a podcast while observing them. But of course, since they were scared and all, I ended up having to climb up and down all these inflatables with them and spent the majority of our time worrying that my weight was going to pop one of them. Thankfully, that did not happen and we all had a good time but it was certainly exhausting!

We couldn't help but stop and feed the goats, llamas, and alapcas on our way out. The white llama there was extremely friendly. Normally, I find llamas extremely standoffish but this little guy kept nuzzling my shirt with his nose and putting his face in our hands because he enjoyed being stroked so much. I kept trying to take pictures of the girls feeding the littlest goat - he was so adorable - but that llama kept photobombing the pictures by bending his neck in front of Lucy and completely blocking her from the camera. He was a really friendly little llama. 

Afterwards, the girls and I stopped by Panera for lunch where we split a salad, a sandwich, and a few bagels. Their Cherry-Vanilla bagel is back in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I couldn't be happier with that. It's by far their best bagel in my opinion. 

I had a wonderful day with my two beautiful girls! We all came home pretty exhausted and both girls took a long afternoon nap which is highly unusual for them!

As promised, I have a few more apple goodies to share with you starting with this French Apple Cake. French Apple Cake in all its simplicity actually makes for quite the elegant dessert. Sliced apples are cooked in batches in butter, allowed to cool just a bit, and then piled high into a springform pan. A thin batter is then poured over the top of the apples before the whole mixture is baked. The apples and batter in the center of a cake create a custard layer while the batter gathered on the tops and sides forms a thin, cake-like crust. For easier slicing, let the cake cool a bit before being served with cinnamon whipped cream or ice cream. I adore how many apples are packed into this simple dessert and it is way easier than making pie when you have a craving for an apple-themed sweet. Paul thought this would make a great brunch item and I agree that he is right - it is composed of mostly fruit after all!

Give this French Apple Cake a try with all the beautiful apples available!

French Apple Cake

adapted slightly from Milk Street

Note: Please notice that this recipe calls for salted butter!

8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter, plus more for the pan

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

1 1/2 pounds granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch slices

1 pound Braeburn or Golden Delicious Apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch slices

12 tablespoons (149 grams) white sugar, divided

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons brandy or calvados

2/3 cup (95 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for pan

1 teaspoon baking power 

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Heat the oven to 375 degrees with a rack in the middle position. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with butter and dust the inside with flour. Tap out the excess and set aside.

In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Cook, swirling the pan frequently, until the milk solids at the bottom are golden brown and the butter has a nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Pour into a small heatproof bowl without scraping out the skillet. Stir the nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice into the butter and set aside.

Add all the apples, 2 tablespoons of the sugar and the salt to the still-hot skillet and set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all moisture released by the apples has evaporated and the slices are beginning to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the brandy and cook until evaporated, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer to a large plate, spread in an even layer and refrigerate uncovered until cool to the touch, 15 to 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, and 9 tablespoons of the remaining sugar. Gradually whisk in the browned butter. Add the flour mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until smooth; the batter will be very thick. Add the cooled apples and fold until evenly coated with batter. Transfer to the prepared pan, spread in an even layer and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

Bake until deeply browned, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 2 hours. Run a knife around the inside of the pan and remove the sides before slicing.