If you loved French pastries before going gluten free, you are going to want to make this Gluten Free French Apple Cake recipe again and again!
This easy French Cake recipe is buttery, yet crisp around the edges, and it melts in your mouth!
(This post was updated with new pictures and a video from a 2015 post.)
Who misses French pastries? How about French apple cake?
I do!! How long has it been since you could enjoy such a treat?
Mr. Fearless Dining and I been to France a couple of times over the years, many years ago before we realized we were gluten intolerant. We used to eat a lot of pastries, hang out in French cafes, and we enjoyed every single bite.
Popular Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipes:
If you want to try different amazing gluten-free apple cake recipes, my Gluten Free Fool Proof Apple Cake and my Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cake recipes are worth making! If you love apples as much as we do, here are my best gluten free apple recipes, both sweet and savory!
It never occurred to me that I could bake something yummy that would take me back to those days.
A photograph on Pinterest for a French Apple Cake recipe caught my eye. Following the link, I ended up at the most incredible blog, Hungry Rabbit. Check it out and pass it along to all of your friends who can eat gluten. They will thank you for it! The recipes are incredible.
I drooled. This apple cake recipe that Ken created is just that good. When Ken said I could post my gluten free version of this recipe, I was so excited to share this recipe with you.
This Gluten Free French Apple Cake recipe is the only apple cake recipe you will ever want to eat again!”
This will be the gluten-free recipe you make to impress your friends, or maybe you should keep all to yourself :-). It truly is the best apple cake recipe EVER!
Which Gluten Free Flour is Best for Cakes?
In this recipe, I used a gluten free multi-purpose flour from Authentic Foods. Authentic Foods Multi-blend flour has a superfine grind, which allows for this cake to be so light. You could use other gluten free flours, but the texture and fineness are really important.
I also love Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour blend and Jules GF flour for this recipe.
- Don’t use a heavy rice-based gluten free flour blend unless it is superfine.
- Also, I don’t recommend any flour blend with bean flours. They are way too heavy and dense for this recipe.
What are the best apples to use for this French Apple Cake?
Although any apple will work in this cake recipe, it is best with tart apples like:
- Pipin apples
- Granny Smith
- Braeburn
- Honeycrisp
Step by Step Directions to Make this French apple cake:
Add all dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend them together.
Pour the wet ingredients into a mixing bowl. Whisk to blend.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to mix.
How thick should the gluten free apple cake batter be?
This is what your batter will look like as you stir in the peeled and chopped apples.
How do you prevent the apple cakes from sticking to the pan?
TIP: Line your extra large muffin tin with parchment paper. Spray with coconut oil. This will help prevent sticking.
Add parchment paper circles to the bottom of each deep cake section. Add the gluten free apple cake batter. Bake at 350F degrees for 25 minutes until done.
More Delicious French Pastry Recipes to Try:
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Tools You Need To Make This French Cake Recipe:
- Deep jumbo muffin tray. The depth of each cavity in this muffin pan is perfect for these apple cakes.
- Authentic Foods Multi-Blend Flour. This flour is milled super-fine and is a great flour to make these cakes taste so good.
Easy classic gluten free French apple cakes
Gluten Free French Apple Cakes
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 538 Total Fat: 22g Saturated Fat: 13g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 145mg Sodium: 548mg Carbohydrates: 72g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 49g Protein: 8g
If you like this recipe, you will love this recipe for Gluten Free Lemon Cupcakes.
More Dessert Deliciousness!
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- Creamy Apple Cake
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- Lemon Bundt Cake
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- Butterscotch Madeleines
liz horn
May 8, 2019 at 8:37 amI see that there is 1/2 tsp of salt but I don’t see it in the instructions. Thanks
Sandi Gaertner
May 8, 2019 at 10:53 amHi Liz, the salt goes in with the dry ingredients. Thank you:-).
Annette
January 25, 2019 at 5:12 amThese are delicious!!! Thank you for sharing this recipe
Sandi Gaertner
January 25, 2019 at 10:48 amI am so glad you liked these Annette 🙂
Sue
January 2, 2019 at 6:04 pmThese were a hit at the birthday party. The cake turned out more custard like than cake-like, but it was so good we didn’t mind at all. We made it with half the amount of sugar and it was just right.Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Sandi Gaertner
January 2, 2019 at 9:09 pmThank you so much for coming back to let me know how much your family liked this recipe Sue. Can I ask which gluten free flour blend you used?
Theresa
September 28, 2018 at 3:04 pmThese look absolutely perfect for my book club meeting this week. Since it’s Fall, I was looking for a recipe with apples.
Can I make these as mini muffins? The ladies tend to prefer small bites.
Thank You!
Sandi Gaertner
September 28, 2018 at 4:16 pmHi Theresa, of course you can make these as mini muffins. I would definitely keep an eye on the baking time as you will need much less?
Jamie
July 29, 2018 at 8:36 pmOh my goodness! This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing. Definitely pinning for later!
Dannii
July 29, 2018 at 11:11 amI adore apple desserts. This reminds me of something we had on our first night in Paris from a little bakery.
Sandi Gaertner
July 29, 2018 at 4:50 pmI had something similar in France, which is why I love making these!
Natalie
July 29, 2018 at 10:29 amThese mini apple cakes look so delicious and I love the golden color! So tempting and the texture seems amazing!
Sandi Gaertner
July 29, 2018 at 4:51 pmThank you so much Natalie 🙂
Claudia Lamascolo
July 29, 2018 at 9:43 amI love an Authentic recipe like this one and its so bakery worthy. I am going to get the bobs mill brand and try these this week I already know I am going to love them
Sandi Gaertner
July 29, 2018 at 4:51 pmI hope you like them Claudia :-).
Conceição
July 9, 2018 at 2:20 pmHi! I just made the Gliten Free French Apple Cake and it is absolutely delicious! I have done work in France for the past 34 years where I go twice a year and you sure capture the flavors of the French Bakeries! I do have a question. When using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 gluten free flour should we still add the xantham gum? I used it but my cupcakes look a lot bigger than the ones in your picture. Thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
July 9, 2018 at 6:15 pmI am thrilled you liked my recipe :-). Thank you so much for your note. If your gluten free flour blend has Xanthan Gum, you don’t need to add any additional. Take care, Sandi
Marge
February 4, 2018 at 4:54 amHi! Do I still need to add xanthum gum if my gluten free flour blend already has xanthum gum included? Thanks
Sandi Gaertner
February 4, 2018 at 10:11 amHi Marge, if your blend has Xanthan gum, you do not want to add more. Thank you so much.
Sandi
Beth
November 5, 2017 at 5:55 pmHi! I’m fairly new to baking in general, especially gluten free baking. Is there something that I can substitute for the rum? I was wanting to make this for thanksgiving breakfast, but I have a family member who’s recently stopped drinking & I don’t want to tempt them any! (Altho I know the alcohol is cooked out, there will still be the flavor.) thanks!!
Sandi Gaertner
November 5, 2017 at 6:56 pmHi Beth, I am certain you can leave out the rum. Have a great evening. Sandi
Debra C.
October 20, 2017 at 8:37 pmLove the step-by-step video, these look fantastic!
Sandi Gaertner
October 21, 2017 at 9:09 amThank you so much Debra 🙂
Ginny
October 18, 2017 at 9:47 amOh, yeah! You made my mouth water. Looks and sounds wonderful!
Sandi Gaertner
October 18, 2017 at 9:51 amLOL, glad to help 🙂
Julia
October 18, 2017 at 9:46 amThese little apple cakes are so gorgeous and they look elegant. Just perfect for a fancy dinner party! It’s always fun to recreate familiar and favourite tastes with twists and I’m glad you were able to do it for this recipe.
Sandi Gaertner
October 18, 2017 at 9:51 amThank you so much Julia 🙂
Valentina
October 18, 2017 at 9:03 amLove all those apple chunks! My son is GF, so they’re now on my “to make” list! YUM!
Sandi Gaertner
October 18, 2017 at 9:55 amMy daughter just asked me to make these for her birthday party because they are so good…hoping that means your son will love them too 🙂
Camilla Hawkins
October 18, 2017 at 8:46 amWell done, your cakes look amazing, baking gluten free treats is quite tricky I’ve found and have so far only managed pancakes!
Sandi Gaertner
October 18, 2017 at 9:54 amThank you so much Camilla 🙂
Amanda
October 18, 2017 at 8:18 amThe texture of these French Apple Cakes looks absolutely perfect, Sandi! What a wonderful dessert for fall, especially after a trip to the orchard. I’m going to have to check out these gluten free flours!
Sandi Gaertner
October 18, 2017 at 9:51 amThank you so much Amanda 🙂
Kathie Craun
September 28, 2016 at 1:40 pmHi. I am making the carameliorate apple cake. Can I substitute lactose free milk for the almond milk? Thank you for your time.
Sandi Gaertner
September 28, 2016 at 1:44 pmHi Kathie, milk should be fine to substitute 🙂 Take care
Sandi
Nancy
June 21, 2016 at 6:36 pmThese look so delicious! I can’t use brown rice flour. I know this is a long shot but would you know the measurements if I just used white rice flour, tapioca, potato starch, cornstarch and xanthan gum?
Sandi Gaertner
June 22, 2016 at 12:20 pmHi Nancy, If you can’t use brown rice flour, I would recommend sorghum flour. It is less starchy than white rice flour. Plus it is a bit healthier. Thank you so much for your email 🙂
Sue@frugalgifts2give
May 28, 2016 at 9:41 pmThese look fantastic! I’m just finding out that I’m gluten sensitive and I’m looking for a good gluten-free recipe to try. This one is certainly on the top of my list! Thank you! I love your whole site!!
Sandi Gaertner
May 29, 2016 at 8:07 pmThank you so much Sue, please let me know if there is anything I can help you with. I remember when we got our diagnosis…it was overwhelming. Feel free to email me at sandi@fearlessdining.com if you have questions.
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
March 30, 2016 at 9:19 pmI’ll have to check out Authentics Foods flour. I’ve been buying their pancake mix for years! This apple cake sounds so scrumptious!
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts
August 2, 2014 at 8:56 pmThose look so exceptional, Sandi! I love Pink Lady apples, too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing them on Gluten-Free Wednesdays with us all!
Shirley
Sandi Gaertner
August 2, 2014 at 9:26 pmYou are welcome Shirley, bar far one of my favorites 🙂
Roxanne
July 31, 2014 at 4:24 amThese look so awesome! Can’t wait to try them.
Sandi Gaertner
July 31, 2014 at 6:16 amThank you Roxanne!
Kira T
July 29, 2014 at 12:13 pmThis looks awesome. Even though I don’t need gluten free I still want to try these.
Sandi Gaertner
July 29, 2014 at 12:21 pmThanks Kira. You can click on Hungry Rabbit’s link in the article to find a version that is not gluten free.
Mardesia @ Keeping Your Cents
July 29, 2014 at 12:04 pmI don’t follow a Gluten-Free diet, but these look amazing. A nice cup of coffee added and it would be the perfect way to end the evening.
Sandi Gaertner
July 29, 2014 at 12:13 pmOooh, a really good coffee would be perfect with these Mardesia. Thank you!
Lisa @ Drugstore Divas
July 29, 2014 at 10:22 amThese look really great!
Sandi Gaertner
July 29, 2014 at 10:45 amThank you Lisa!!
Faith Stilts
July 26, 2014 at 6:31 amIs there a substitute for the alcohol I can use and the recipe still be good?
Sandi Gaertner
July 26, 2014 at 8:43 amHi Faith, I think the alcohol is just for flavoring. I suspect it will be fine if you use tart apples so the apple flavor really stands out. Please let me know how they turn out!
Lori
July 23, 2014 at 10:58 pmSandie I love your recipes. I have a question though do you know if it’s possible to make rice flour by grinding up the rice such as you do with coconut or almond I’m just concerned as it is so much harder, but after searching the net I find many suggest at least part rice flour, thanks in advance for your imput.
Sandi Gaertner
July 24, 2014 at 7:56 amHi Lori, I have to assume you can grind the rice flour yourself. The key is to make sure you grind it to a super fine grain. Let me know how it works.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
July 23, 2014 at 8:25 pmLove this and I know my GF friends will too. I know Ken and he does make beautiful treats!
Sandi Gaertner
July 23, 2014 at 9:09 pmThank you Barbara. Ken is a baking wizard 🙂 I saw he is participating in a NY school fundraiser coming up.
Laura O | Petite Allergy Treats
July 22, 2014 at 6:27 pmNow I need a bucket for all the drool! These look great and I want a dozen now.
Sandi Gaertner
July 22, 2014 at 6:48 pmThank you Laura 🙂 I hope you enjoy these…they are by far my favorites.
Michelle
July 22, 2014 at 9:01 amSandi, these look amazing. I really want one. Great job
Sandi Gaertner
July 22, 2014 at 4:36 pmThanks Michelle 🙂
Ginny McMeans
July 22, 2014 at 8:15 amThis looks like you made the perfect light batter. Just delicious looking!
Sandi Gaertner
July 22, 2014 at 8:28 amThank you Ginny 🙂