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The French Chef. S1. E15. All episodes. IMDbPro. All topics. Apple Dessert. Episode aired 1971. TV-G. 29m. YOUR RATING. Rate. Documentary Family Reality-TV. Apple Desserts. See production info at IMDbPro. STREAMING. +2. Add to Watchlist. Photos. Add photo. Storyline. Apple Desserts. Plot summary. Add synopsis. Genres. Documentary. Family.
Apple Desserts | The French Chef Season 7 | Julia Child. Julia Child showcases La Tarte Tatin! This is a bottoms-up French tarte which, when served in the best Paris restaurants, is named...
- 29 min
- 9K
- Julia Child on PBS
- Overview
- What Is French Apple Cake?
- The Secret Ingredient in Chef John’s French Apple Cake
- More Tips for French Apple Cake
Apple pie has some serious competition this fall.
is a classic in France, but it deserves a much bigger place in American homes—especially during autumn when apples are at their peak. This dessert has all the coziness and rustic appeal of an
The exact origins of the French apple cake, or “Gâteau aux Pommes,” are tough to trace, but the dessert is deeply rooted in French culinary traditions, where baking with seasonal fruits is common. Chef John’s take features diced
(skin on) and dark rum for a richer flavor. However, you won’t see any of the classic fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in this cake—and to be honest, you won’t miss them. The sweet apples, balanced by the dark rum, deliver all the fall flavor you need.
“You can't go wrong with Chef John, but this time he even out did himself,” says one Allrecipes community member. “This cake is elegant and full of unexpected flavors. The rum really sets off the apple, although you can't quite identify it.”
However, there is one special addition Chef John uses to take this classic cake up a notch, and it brings in even more apple flavor (as well as a touch of tartness).
While Chef John follows a traditional recipe in many respects, he adds one ingredient to the apples that’s rarely seen in French recipes:
Tossing the diced apples in just two teaspoons of vinegar will prevent the fruit from browning, and it will also brighten the flavor. The vinegar’s acidity and tanginess helps balance the richness of the cake. This tip can be used for almost any recipe where baking apples is involved, but it certainly pays off here.
Peeling the apples is considered by many the classic way to make this dessert, so if you have the time and patience, give it a try. It will give the apples a chance to soften and combine with the cake batter even further, giving you a delicious, tender bite.
Make sure to start with
, or whisking the butter with the sugars will be a nightmare.“Sometimes nightmares are interesting,” says Chef John. “Doing this with cold butter will not be interesting. It will just be annoying.”
Don’t be afraid to use a different
While Chef John uses only Honeycrisp apples to make his cake, using more sour or sweet baking apples (or a combination of both!) is an easy way to adjust the flavor to this dish. Some great options include: Braeburn, Cortland, Jonagold, Granny Smith, and Pink Ladies.
No matter if you serve it warm or at room temperature, giving the cake a sweet finish will take it over the top. Vanilla ice cream,
- Keaton Larson
Sep 26, 2011 · Her French apple cake, with chunks of tart apples nestled in a tender, buttery rum cake, is a longtime favorite of mine. Similar to many homemade French desserts, like clafoutis, madeleines, or crepes, it is the essence of simplicity. What you’ll need to make French Apple Cake
- Recipes
- 279
Oct 25, 2017 · Like an apple pie without the pan, this rustic French apple tart features a buttery, flaky crust cradling a thin layer of cinnamon-scented apples. Picture the quintessential French dessert, and you might envision rows of gleaming macarons and jewel-like fruit tarts within a Parisian pâtisserie.
Nov 11, 2023 · Invisible apple cake, or gâteau invisible aux pommes, hails from France. Despite its origins, it’s immensely popular in Japan. The dessert is made up of two elements — apples and custard — which are layered together in a loaf pan. The apples are sliced so thinly that they appear to disappear into the cake once baked, hence its name.
