Dorie Greenspan's Marie Helene's Apple Cake from her book Around My French Table is just delightful! A delicious French apple cake filled with sweet apples. This is the perfect apple cake to serve anyone you love with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
When I saw that the next recipe was Marie Helene's Apple Cake from Dorie Greenspan's book , my eyes got really big and I started to smile. 🙂
I love apple desserts. I checked the ingredients and found that it was very similar to a recipe I make often that is my mother-in-law's. The cake was buttery and full of sweet apples. It is void of spices, yet bursting in flavor. Perfect with a cup of caffe' latte or a nice hot tea. Or a big glass of milk.
My mother-in-law's Italian apple cake that is similar and so good! OH, this Italian Vegan Apple Cake is so nice!!
Kids approved. The Chef approved. Marie-Helene's Apple Cake recipe is a keeper. Merci Dorie.
Marie Helene's Apple Cake
A French Love Story
*This is a fictional story I wrote inspired by these recipes.
A week had passed so quickly. The same routine was comforting and at times stifling. Chantal was trying to forget about what happened the week before. She just couldn't stop thinking about Jean-Marc and was confused because of the total lack of communication. Any excuse would have been better than no excuse. But they hardly knew each other and she convinced herself that there shouldn't have been any expectations. It had been a while since she had opened her heart up to anyone and she believed she could give him at least a chance.
The last customer left the boulangerie. Chantal hung up her apron in the back and heard the door open one more time. She was surprised to see his face. She tried to hide her excitement and was aloof. Jean-Marc could sense that he maybe lost her forever and he held out his hands to her to make contact. She reached out and followed him. Words were not spoken while they were walking in the crisp, cool air. Every thing felt right. That walk. That moment. Chantal was waiting for an explanation, yet didn't want to tarnish this silence that was unifying them. They turned a corner or two and arrived at an unfamiliar building. Jean-Marc explained that this is where he was last week and he wanted her to meet someone.
They walked up the stairs and the sweet smell of apples filled the narrow staircase. Then she saw her. This adorable face with little glasses. Thick grey hair. A rose patterned apron. She introduced herself as Marie-Helene, Jean-Marc's grandmother. Jean-Marc stepped away for a moment. Marie-Helene showed Chantal what she baked that afternoon. In the windowsill there was a gorgeous apple cake cooling. Jean-Marc returned with hot tea and some cups and they all took a seat at her tiny kitchen table that was covered with a delicate lace table cloth. Marie-Helene offered Chantal a slice of the apple cake.
Marie-Helene and Jean-Marc shared the same brown eyes and a bond that was palpable. Marie-Helene told Chantal how she hadn't been feeling well recently. She explained how she wouldn't be able to manage without the support of Jean-Marc. Jean-Marc was all she had and he meant the world to her. Jean-Marc looked over at Chantal as if to say, "I'm sorry". Chantal smiled and took another bite of the delicious cake. She sat back with her hot cup of tea and enjoyed Marie-Helene's stories. It was a memorable night spent with wonderful company.
You could read the first part of the story of Chantal and Jean-Marc here: Paris: A Love Story
We encourage you to buy Dorie’s Around My French Table. If you would like the recipe, you will have to buy the book. I think you won't regret it. 🙂
Here is the fabulous recipe for Marie-Helene's Apple Cake...hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Marie-Hélène's Apple Cake
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 or orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour an 8-inch springform pan (or you could prep the pan with baking spray).
- In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Peel the apples. Cut apples in half and core. Cut apples in small chunks.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add in the sugar to combine. Whisk in the rum and vanilla.
- Stir in half of the flour and then half of the melted butter. Continue with whisking in remaining flour and butter. Use a rubber spatula to get all the batter together from the sides of the bowl.
- With the spatula, fold in the apples. Add the batter to your baking pan and smooth the top a little with the spatula.
- Bake 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. Place cake on a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Run a knife along the sides of the cake to make sure it’s not sticking to the springform pan. Carefully remove the sides of the pan. Let it cool down to room temperature (even better while it’s warm!).
Notes
Storing: If your kitchen is very warm, store it in the fridge. If you have a colder kitchen it will stay nice for up to 2 days. Dorie suggests to just press a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper against the cut surface.
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
I've been waiting anxiously for you to post this! Oh it's just soooo delicious looking, I want to devour the whole thing. YUM YUM! You did such a wonderful job. Thank you so much for encouraging me to do FFWD! I can't wait to make our next recipe. 🙂
sara @ CaffeIna says
I love apple cakes too! You did a great job! It looks wonderful
Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite says
I *loved* this cake too - we had it for Thanksgiving dessert. So easy and so fab - it's entering my roster of "must makes"!!
Lizzy says
Beautiful cake!
Anonymous says
Makes me feel all cozy & comfy - wonderful!
Pretend Chef says
First recipe of the morning to get my stomach growling! Must get in my belly now!
Kristen says
looks wonderful! It's the first I've heard of French Fridays, I'll have to check it out
Anonymous says
Delicious slice of cake. I like your story too!
Anonymous says
This cake is beautiful and looks so yummy and comforting. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sis. Boom. says
I love that these recipes is inspiring you to write. They are having that effect on me too!
Ken│hungryrabbit says
J'adore! I smell apples and the cake has comfort written all over it.
Susi says
This cake looks fabulous. Very similar to a cake my mom bakes which is one of my favorites! :o)
Elisabeth says
Lora-This is truly a beautiful and delicious apple cake. It is very similar to the Italian version of this.
Flourchild says
I like your story and your cake looks so good! I enjoyed it too..it is a great fall recipe!
blackbookkitchendiaries says
this cake is so pretty:)thank you for sharing this recipe. have a nice weekend.
Mary says
Loved the story...great post.
Tia says
cute story! and pretty cake too 🙂
Carolyn says
A beautiful cake, it looks so simple and yet so delicious!
Sandra says
Now I know what to do with all the apples that are sitting around looking at me. It looks great.
Eileen says
Apple cake sound scrumptious. Nice story too!
The Mom Chef says
Oh wow, that does look fantastic. I'll have to check out the French Friday thing since I am, after all, French.
A Thought For Food says
I can't begin to tell you how many times I've made this cake. It is so fabulous and easy and is always a hit.
Fran@fransfavs.com says
Just discovered your blog and am enjoying browsing. I loved this post for Marie Helene's Apple Cake! I, too, made it and posted it recently (http://www.fransfavs.com/2011/10/marie-helenes-apple-cake/) although I much prefer your write-up! 🙂
Anonymous says
I can't find this recipe on this page. I would like to have it. Can any one help? Thanks.
Anonymous says
Oops! Correction. I can't find the recipe on this page. Thanks again.
Anonymous says
I just read that I have to buy her book to get the recipe. Disregard my comments. Thanks.