Juicy apples baked in a soft, buttery, vanilla-flavored cake that’s naturally grain-free and gluten-free. This coconut flour French apple cake might just become your favorite cake. Serve it for breakfast, as an afternoon treat, or as a cozy dessert, dusted with powdered sugar or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Apples, oh apples! Juicy, colorful, and full of that unmistakable fresh-picked aroma. There’s nothing quite like biting into a crisp apple… unless it’s savoring a warm, fragrant apple cake. Whether it’s cakes, breads, or pies, apple desserts are some of my absolute favorites. Maybe it’s because I love fall, or maybe it’s just how simple and comforting they are.
If you love apple cakes as much as I do, you’re going to love this easy recipe. And if you’re in the mood for something a little spicier, be sure to check out my delicious coconut flour apple bread, it’s a cozy twist perfect for a crisp fall day!
What is a French Apple Cake?
French apple cake is a moist and tender, buttery cake filled with chunks of fresh apples and a hint of vanilla (or sometimes rum or brandy) for added depth. Unlike American apple cakes, the French version is simpler and more delicate, without spices and made with less sugar, but with plenty of apples.
If you’re in the mood for something more “spicy” perfect for cozy fall baking, I got you covered. Try my delicious coconut flour apple bread!
This charming dessert is one of the traditional “gâteaux de grand-mère” (grandmother’s cakes), a collection of humble, comforting recipes passed down through generations in French families, especially in regions like Normandy and Brittany.
Made with everyday pantry staples, this rustic apple cake reflects the resourcefulness of home bakers. There are many small variations, but it’s typically prepared with a mix of apple varieties (whatever was freshly picked from the orchard), offering a lovely contrast of textures and flavors. It’s truly one of those cakes where the apples take center stage.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This delicious French apple cake is naturally grain-free and gluten-free. In this version, I’ve swapped all-purpose flour for coconut flour, but you’d never guess! Coconut flour is one of my favorite ingredients for wholesome, gluten-free baking. (In fact, I share more about how to bake with coconut flour, my favorite recipes, and tips in this post.)
This recipe is also beginner-friendly if you’re new to coconut flour. It’s simple and quite forgiving. The eggs are separated and the whites are whipped for extra lightness, but don’t worry, it’s not one of those tricky cakes that turns into a soggy frittata if you mess a step!
Elegant yet unfussy, this apple cake is a perfect treat for a cozy tea party with friends, but it’s just as lovely for breakfast or an everyday dessert. Serve it plain with a dusting of powdered sugar, or dress it up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream for something extra special.
Ingredients for This Coconut Flour French Apple Cake
Butter. Provides richness and moisture, giving the cake a tender, buttery crumb. Use high-quality, grass-fed and unsalted butter for best flavor.
Sugar. Adds sweetness and helps with the cake’s soft texture. You can use light brown or regular sugar, depending on your preference.
Eggs. Essential in coconut flour baking, eggs provide structure, moisture, and the whipped whites help the cake rise and achieve a softer, lighter texture. This recipe uses a generous amount for the perfect texture.
Vanilla extract. Adds warmth and depth of flavor, pairing beautifully with the apples and buttery cake base. Use a good quality natural vanilla extract.
Baking powder. Ensures a soft, fluffy texture. Use a good quality baking powder without aluminum like this one.
Sea salt. Enhances all the flavors in the cake and balances the sweetness. I love Redmond Real Salt for all my recipes.
Coconut flour. A naturally grain-free and gluten-free flour that gives the cake its delicate structure. It absorbs a lot of liquid, so a small amount goes a long way. I use Bob’s Red Mill organic coconut flour in all my recipes.
Apples. The star of the cake! Use firm, slightly tart apples for the best flavor and texture. Granny Smith or Cortland are great choices, but any apple (or a mix of different apples) will work well in this rustic cake. They soften as they bake and create sweet, juicy bites throughout the cake.
Tools You May Need
Mixing bowls and spatula.
Electric hand mixer.
9-inch round cake pan.
How to Make This Coconut Flour French Apple Cake
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper. Gather all your ingredients. Peel, core, and dice the apples into small cubes (about ½ inch).
Step 2: Separate the eggs, placing the whites in a large mixing bowl and the yolks in a smaller bowl.
Step 3: Add about half of the sugar to the egg whites and beat with a hand mixer on high speed until glossy, soft peaks form. Set aside.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter with the remaining sugar using a hand mixer on medium-high speed. Beat for several minutes until light and fluffy.
Step 5: Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
Step 6: Add the vanilla extract and beat again on medium-high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Sift in the dry ingredients (coconut flour, baking powder, and salt) using a fine mesh sieve. Mix on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 8: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter in 2–3 additions using a silicone spatula. Use round, upward motions from the bottom of the bowl to keep the batter airy. A few small streaks of egg white are fine. Don’t overmix.
Step 9: Gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
Step 10: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 11: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool enough to handle, remove from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, and serve warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream.
Notes
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
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Printable Recipe Card
Coconut Flour French Apple Cake (Grain-Free, Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 3-4 apples
- 60 grams coconut flour
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper. Gather all your ingredients. Peel, core, and dice the apples into small cubes (about ½ inch).
- Separate the eggs, placing the whites in a large mixing bowl and the yolks in a smaller bowl.
- Add half of the sugar to the egg whites and beat with a hand mixer on high speed until glossy, soft peaks form. Set aside.
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter with the remaining sugar using a hand mixer on medium-high speed. Beat for several minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Add the vanilla extract and beat again on medium-high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Step 7: Sift in the dry ingredients (coconut flour, baking powder, and salt) using a fine mesh sieve. Mix on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter in 2–3 additions using a silicone spatula. Use round, upward motions from the bottom of the bowl to keep the batter airy. A few small streaks of egg white are fine. Don’t overmix.
- Gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool enough to handle, remove from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, and serve warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream.
