This rustic, French-style Three-Apple Cake is the ultimate cozy baking project. Because it uses three whole apples packed into a light, buttery batter with just three eggs and a splash of milk, every single bite is bursting with tender, juicy apple goodness rather than heavy cake.
It requires no fancy equipment—just a bowl, a whisk, and a baking pan.
Ingredients
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The Star Fruit & Dairy:
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3 medium baking apples (like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala), peeled, cored, and chopped into bite-sized chunks (reserve a few thin slices if you want to arrange them on top!)
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3 large eggs (room temperature)
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½ cup whole milk
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The Dry & Wet Basics:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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¾ cup granulated sugar (plus 1 tablespoon extra for sprinkling on top)
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Optional: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for warm flavor
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Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Oven and Pan
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease a 9-inch springform pan or a round cake pan with butter or cooking spray, and line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Whisk the Wet Ingredients
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 3 eggs and ¾ cup sugar vigorously for about 1 to 2 minutes until pale, slightly foamy, and smooth.
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Whisk in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
3. Fold in the Dry Ingredients
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In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
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Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet egg mixture using a spatula just until combined and no dry flour pockets remain. The batter will be quite thick—this is normal!
4. Load Up on Apples
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Fold the chopped apple chunks directly into the thick batter, making sure every piece is coated.
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Scrape the batter into your prepared cake pan and smooth out the top with your spatula. (Tip: If you saved a few thin apple slices, you can fan them out in a pretty circular pattern across the top of the batter).
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Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly over the top to create a lightly crackled, golden crust when baked.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection
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Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden-brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs, no wet batter).
6. Cool and Serve
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Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and gently release it.
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Serve warm or at room temperature. It is wonderful on its own, but exceptional with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
