French Apple Cake

• 3 apples, peeled, cored, cut into half-inch pieces or slices
• 1 cup powdered sugar, 120 grams
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 eggs, large, room temperature
• ½ cup unsalted butter, 113 grams, melted
• ¾ cup granulated sugar, 150 grams
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 15 ml
• ¼ cup dark rum
• butter, for greasing pan and brushing apples
• sugar, for sprinkling on top apples

Preparation

1. Step 1

   0:06
   Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel, core, and cut the apples into half-inch pieces or slices (reserve a handful for topping).
2. Step 2

   2:11
   In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, baking powder, and sea salt.
3. Step 3

   3:09
   In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs until foamy.
4. Step 4

   3:31
   Whisk the melted butter into the eggs, followed by the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and dark rum until thick and ribbony.
5. Step 5

   5:02
   Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until almost combined, leaving some visible flour.
6. Step 6

   5:26
   Gently fold the prepared apples into the batter (reserving a handful for topping).
7. Step 7

   5:54
   Butter a 9-inch springform pan (or regular 9-inch pan) and line the bottom with parchment paper. Transfer the batter to the pan, smooth the top, arrange reserved apple pieces on top, brush them with melted butter, and sprinkle with sugar.
8. Step 8

   7:17
   Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9

   7:29
   Cool the cake in the pan for 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge, remove the collar and parchment, dust with powdered sugar, slice, and serve (optionally with ice cream).