9.04.2012

Dorie's French Apple Cake


We had a wonderful break in the islands but it's always nice to get home. South Florida doesn't get a
 huge change of season, but fall is beautiful and it always reminds me of apples. So....finally, ages after the French Fridays with Dorie group featured it, I made Marie-Hélène's Apple Cake. And still haven't tasted it! I had a temporarily housebound friend and she loves apples, so I made it for her. Photographed it before I delivered it of course, but I didn't slice a piece, deciding that would be extremely rude and frankly, they don't understand the food bloggers' obsession with photos anyway. So I depended on Elly and her visiting family to give me a tasting report. Her daughter said it was excellent but rich and Elly's comment was: "it was wonderful." Sounds good to me.

If you haven't made this already, you should. There's very little batter to cover the apples, which gave me pause, but it works beautifully. So I'm posting it and for those of you thinking this is
really old news, just skip this post. :) For those who haven't made this yet, the photo alone ought to sell the recipe...do you have the book? Of course you do. Doesn't everyone?

Marie-Hélène's Apple Cake
by Dorie Greenspan, From Around My French Table


Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
4 large apples (if you can, choose 4 different kinds)
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Method:

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter an 8-inch springform pan and put it on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and put the springform on it. 
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in small bowl. 
Peel the apples, cut them in half and remove the cores. Cut the apples into 1- to 2-inch chunks. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until they’re foamy. Pour in the sugar and whisk for a minute or so to blend. Whisk in the rum and vanilla. Whisk in half the flour and when it is incorporated, add half the melted butter, followed by the rest of the flour and the remaining butter, mixing gently after each addition so that you have a smooth, rather thick batter. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in the apples, turning the fruit so that it's coated with batter. Scrape the mix into the pan and poke it around a little with the spatula so that it's evenish. 
Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top of the cake is golden brown and a knife inserted deep into the center comes out clean; the cake may pull away from the sides of the pan. Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes. 

Carefully run a blunt knife around the edges of the cake and remove the sides of the springform pan. (Open the springform slowly, and before it’s fully opened, make sure there aren't any apples stuck to it.) Allow the cake to cool until it is just slightly warm or at room temperature. If you want to remove the cake from the bottom of the springform pan, wait until the cake is almost cooled, then run a long spatula between the cake and the pan, cover the top of the cake with a piece of parchment or wax paper, and invert it onto a rack. Carefully remove the bottom of the pan and turn the cake over onto a serving dish. 


Serving

The cake can be served warm or at room temperature, with or without a little softly whipped, barely sweetened heavy cream or a spoonful of ice cream. Marie-Hélène's served her cake with cinnamon ice cream and it was a terrific combination. 

Storing

The cake will keep for about 2 days at room temperature and, according to my husband, gets more comforting with each passing day. However long you keep the cake, it's best not to cover it — it's too moist. Leave the cake on its plate and just press a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper against the cut surfaces. 

39 comments:

  1. Welcome back Barbara. Dorie's apple cake looks delicious and yes I have her latest book. I love it. NC apples are in season right now so I am sure I will be making this.

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  2. That cake looks wonderful! Dorie's recipes are always great.

    Welcome back!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. My next food group challenge is apples so I am on the lookout for apple dishes. I am still trying to capture my grams apple cake... after about 100 tries I still don't have it down yet! This is a delicious take on it... with all that lovely BUTTER!

    Hope you had a lovely vacation.

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  4. Hi..nice to see your post this AM:) I have made this and it is a keeper:)Yours looks so good I want to amke it again soon.My first apple cake was ap 35 yrs ago..at House and Garden tour and I obtained teh recipe.. many more ensued..I find most are absolutely delicious and this one is no exception!

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  5. So nice to hear you had a good and we're glad you're back. Yes, I do have the book and I will make a note. Looks delish!
    Sam

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  6. I found this cake through my parents who had seen it being baked on television, found it all over the Internet and loved it.

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  7. I made this cake about a year ago and loved it. In fact, it's a perfect fall recipe - maybe I should pull it out again!

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  8. I do have the book, and I haven't made this yet. Can't wait to try it! I'll be getting lots of apples from my CSA soon, and now I already have a plan for them.

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  9. It looks divine. That cookbook is on my list; I think I really do have to just go buy it. I'm loving all the apple recipes everywhere as we approach autumn.

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  10. Your cake is beautiful, Barbara. I have to admit that I made it a few months ago and it wasn't my favorite. Too much apple for the amount of cake. Your photo is mouth watering and you are tempting me to try it again.

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  11. Glad you had a fun vacation! This cake looks beautiful and perfect for September! :)

    Sues

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  12. WOW, totally looooooooooooving it..

    XoXo
    http://abudhabifood.blogspot.com

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  13. welcome back fear agsin!:(
    and thid tsrts look awesome!

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  14. This looks so delicious. I am a big fan of apple cakes, and this looks like a great version to try.

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  15. oh i LOVE cakes like this. it looks just wonderful!

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  16. What a gorgeous and delicious treat for your friend. So nice of you, Barbara!

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  17. I love the abundance of apples in the fall, and this cake looks like the perfect apple baking project for me. I wish I had a slice right now!

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  18. I'm so glad you had a nice vacation, Barbara -- welcome back! Apple season is my favorite time of year and this lovely cake is definitely going on my list to make this year!

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  19. welcome back Barbara! vacations are nice but i find it's ALWAYS good to come home!

    i've made this cake for a number of years and i can tell you that it is fabulous, fabulous, fabulous - dessert, breakfast w/a cup of tea or coffee . . . even sneaking a piece as you walk thru the kitchen . . . and now i find myself craving this one again . . .

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  20. Welcome back Barbara...and you sure came back with a lovely recipe...I am bookmarking it...now that apples will be so available :)
    Again, welcome back, have a wonderful week!

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  21. Nice to see you back with such a delectable coffee cake.

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  22. Ah, is there nothing finer than an apple cake? I don't think so...

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  23. Your apple cake looks very delicious and perfect too for all occasions :D

    I'm new at Pinterest and now following you at Pinterest too.

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  24. Woow... receta impresionante me encanta las tartas de manzana,abrazos hugs,hugs.

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  25. We food bloggers are a funny group. This post makes me think of the eye rolls from family and friends, as I photograph food. I think they are used to it now.

    This apple cake is divine. As I head to North Georgia to enjoy cabin life a for a few days, I will no doubt score a bushel of apples too.

    Take care.

    Velva

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  26. Hi Barbara,

    Welcome back and glad you had a lovely holiday.
    Apple cake is one of my favourite and how lucky your friend was, getting this treat.

    Enjoy the rest of the week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  27. It is wonderful to have you back my friend :D
    I am glad you enjoyed your holiday and I adore this stunning apple cake!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  28. Welcome back, my friend! :) I missed your tasty creations!
    This apple cake looks just winderful & look pretty tasty too! ;)

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  29. DARLING BARBARA!!!!!

    I saw yesterday that you came by to visit....THANK YOU MY DEAR! In these days where it seems that many people (myself included) have been so busy with summer activities, it is so wonderful to see a kind message! WOW, what a cake is DYNAMITE!

    Enjoy these waning days of summer my beautiful lady! Anita

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  30. Welcome back from your trip! I'm glad you posted this because I've still not made it and with apple season upon us it will be a wonderful time to try it.

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  31. Welcome back. The Knight loves apple cake, so... soon.

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  32. Welcome Back! Seems like you had a great time,Barbara! This apple cake looks wonderful.Perfect for tea time!:)

    Hugs <3

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  33. Delicious - I like the rum here! We are getting ready to cook with apples now too!

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  34. you've arrived back in full force, barbara--this is a lovely cake! i like that sneaky bit of rum in there. :)

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  35. This looks divine. It'll easy the pangs of seeing peach season slowing.

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  36. This cake is truly the perfect way to kick off the fall baking season!

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  37. I agree, as wonderful as vacation can be, it's always nice to get home to your own bed. Welcome back and beautiful cake Barbara.

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  38. How could you resist Barbara? I know I would with a big pain in my heart. Truly looks delicious!

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  39. It is becoming Apple Time, and I bet that bit of rum helps to give that pretty cake a boost of flavor.

    I like the idea of putting a variety of apples into the cake.

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