FRENCH APPLE CAKE

8 to 10 servings prep time: 30 minutes cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes total time: 1 hour 45 minutes This French Apple Cake is packed with apples and has a dense, creamy base with a cake-like top layer.

INGREDIENTS: 700 g Granny Smith apples (about 4 large apples), peeled, cored, cut into 8 wedges, and sliced ⅛ inch thick crosswise 1 tablespoon Calvados, apple brandy or white rum/Brandy 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided 1 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 egg 2 egg yolks 1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Powdered sugar, for dusting

DIRECTIONS: 1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 160 degrees C. Spray a 23 cm springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place the prepared pan on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

2. Place the apple slices into pie plate, cover with an inverted plate, and microwave until the apples are pliable and slightly translucent, about 3 minutes. Toss the apple slices with Calvados and lemon juice and let cool for 15 minutes.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of the flour, 1 cup of the granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

4. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole egg, oil, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Transfer 1 cup of the batter to a separate small bowl and set aside.

5. Add the egg yolks to the remaining batter in the large bowl and whisk to combine. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the cooled apples. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan; using an offset spatula, spread the batter evenly to the pan edges, gently pressing on the apples to create even, compact layer, and smooth surface.

6. Whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour into the reserved batter. Pour over the batter in the pan and spread evenly to the pan edges and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar evenly over the cake.

7. Bake until the center of the cake is set, a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Run a paring knife around the sides of the pan and cool completely, 2 to 3 hours. Dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving.

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