A Decadent French Apple Cake with Salted Caramel

đŸ„ź Introduction

GĂąteau aux Pommes et Caramel au Beurre SalĂ© is a warm and comforting French dessert that combines moist apple cake with the rich indulgence of homemade salted butter caramel. This cake is a celebration of simple ingredients—ripe apples, tender cake, and buttery caramel—turned into a dessert that feels like a hug from France.

Perfect for autumn gatherings, Sunday desserts, or teatime with friends.

🍎 Ingredients

For the cake:

3 large apples (like Golden, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady)

150g all-purpose flour

100g sugar

100g unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking powder

A pinch of salt

1 tbsp milk (optional, if batter is too thick)

For the salted caramel:

100g sugar

50g salted butter, cubed

100ml heavy cream (warm)

A pinch of fleur de sel (optional)

đŸ‘©‍🍳 Instructions

đŸ”č Step 1: Prepare the Apples

Peel, core, and slice the apples thinly.

Set aside. You can sprinkle with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.

đŸ”č Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy.

Add vanilla extract and melted butter, whisk to combine.

In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mix.

If the batter is too thick, add 1 tbsp milk to loosen it slightly.

Fold in half of the sliced apples.

đŸ”č Step 3: Bake the Cake

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake tin.

Pour the batter into the tin and spread evenly.

Arrange remaining apple slices on top in a fan or spiral pattern.

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

Let cool slightly before removing from tin.

đŸ”č Step 4: Make the Salted Butter Caramel

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat without stirring.

Once the sugar melts and turns amber, carefully add salted butter. Stir gently.

Slowly pour in the warm cream, stirring constantly (watch for splatter!).

Let it simmer for 2 minutes until smooth and glossy.

Remove from heat and stir in a pinch of fleur de sel if using.

đŸ”č Step 5: Finish the Cake

While the cake is still warm, drizzle some of the salted caramel on top.

Let it soak slightly for extra moistness.

Reserve the rest of the caramel for serving.

đŸœ️ Serving Suggestions

Serve warm or room temperature.

Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Drizzle more salted caramel just before serving for dramatic flair.

🧊 Storage

Store covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate up to 3 days.

Gently reheat slices to enhance the caramel aroma before serving.

☕ Best Paired With

A strong espresso or café crÚme

Light dessert wine like Sauternes

Spiced chai for a cozy autumn vibe

Why You'll Love This Cake

✅ Moist and buttery
✅ Deep flavor from sweet and salty caramel
✅ Perfect balance of soft apple and rich cake
✅ Elegant yet simple to make

Final Thoughts

GĂąteau aux Pommes et Caramel au Beurre SalĂ© is more than just a cake—it's a French countryside experience on a plate. The sweetness of apples and the richness of caramel create a harmony of flavors that’s truly irresistible.

This cake will quickly become a family favorite and a standout addition to any dessert table.