There’s something timeless and comforting about a Gâteau aux Pommes, the traditional French apple cake. With its tender crumb, delicate sweetness, and buttery aroma, this rustic dessert has graced French family tables for generations. Whether enjoyed with a morning coffee or as a cozy dessert after dinner, it captures the soul of home-style French baking.

Let’s dive into the story, recipe, and tips for baking the perfect Gâteau aux Pommes in your own kitchen.

🍏 What is Gâteau aux Pommes?

Gâteau aux Pommes (pronounced ga-toh oh pom) literally means “apple cake” in French. It’s a soft, moist cake filled with chunks or slices of apples, often flavored with vanilla, rum, or cinnamon. Unlike American-style apple pie, which uses a crust, this is a single-layer cake—simple, dense, and bursting with apple flavor.

Some regional variations come from Normandy or Brittany, where butter and apples are culinary treasures.

🍎 Ingredients

Basic Ingredients:

2–3 apples (firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious)

2 eggs

100 g sugar

100 g flour

1 tsp baking powder

100 g unsalted butter (melted)

1 tsp vanilla extract or a splash of dark rum

Pinch of salt


Optional Additions:

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Zest of 1 lemon or orange

Icing sugar, for dusting

🍰 How to Make Gâteau aux Pommes

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

  1. Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin wedges or small chunks.

  2. If desired, toss with a bit of lemon juice and cinnamon to enhance flavor.

Step 2: Make the Batter

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

  2. In a bowl, beat the eggs with sugar until light and fluffy.

  3. Add melted butter and vanilla (or rum). Mix well.

  4. Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined.

  5. Gently fold in the apple pieces.

Step 3: Bake

  1. Pour the batter into a buttered and floured round cake tin (about 22–24 cm).

  2. Optionally, arrange a few apple slices on top for a decorative look.

  3. Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden.

Step 4: Cool and Serve

Let the cake cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar.

Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with whipped cream or crème fraîche.

💡 Tips for the Perfect Apple Cake

Use mixed apple varieties for deeper flavor—some for tartness, some for sweetness.

Don’t overmix the batter; keep it tender.

To add elegance, brush the top with apricot jam after baking for a glossy finish.

This cake tastes even better the next day, once the flavors settle.

🧁 Variations

Normandy Style: Add a splash of Calvados (apple brandy).

Almond Touch: Replace 1/4 of the flour with almond flour for nutty flavor.

Upside-Down Version: Caramelize apple slices in the pan first, then pour batter over.

🇫🇷 A Slice of French Simplicity

The beauty of Gâteau aux Pommes lies in its simplicity. It’s not flashy or fussy—it’s the kind of cake your French grandmother would bake on a Sunday. Warm, homey, and deeply satisfying.

Serve it with tea, coffee, or a sweet wine and take a bite of classic French comfort.

Bon appétit! 🍏🍰