Description
Have you ever wished for a dessert that is 90% fruit and 10% pure magic? This Gâteau Invisible is less of a traditional sponge and more of a sophisticated, custard-like delight where thin layers of caramelized Honey Crisp apples take center stage. The batter transforms into a creamy binding agent, allowing the apples to melt into one another for a seamless stack of fruity goodness.
Ingredients
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4 large Honey Crisp Apples (approx. 1.5 lbs), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
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2 large Eggs, room temperature
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1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
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1/2 cup Milk, warmed slightly
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2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled slightly
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1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
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1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
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1/4 teaspoon Salt
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1 teaspoon Baking Powder
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1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon (Optional)
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Handful Sliced Almonds (Optional)
Instructions
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Prepare Station: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 11×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
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Slice Apples: Peel and core apples. Using a mandoline set to 1/8 inch (or a sharp knife), slice apples into uniform rings.
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Whip Eggs & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened and pale yellow.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in warm milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix gently to combine.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mix just until flour streaks disappear. Do not overmix.
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Coat Apples: Toss apple slices into the batter. Use hands to gently fold until every slice is coated.
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Layer the Pan: Arrange stacks of coated apple rings evenly into the loaf pan, pressing down slightly until full.
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Top and Bake: Pour any remaining batter over the apples. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake for 50–60 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
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Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes to set the custard texture before slicing.
Notes
- Mandoline Safety: Always use the hand guard when using a mandoline to slice the apples thinly and safely.
- Temperature Matters: Use warm milk to help keep the melted butter liquid and emulsify the batter smoothly.
- Crucial Cooling: Do not skip the 30-minute cooling time! If you slice it hot, it will be mushy. It needs this time to set into a gorgeous custard texture.
- Apple Choice: Honey Crisp apples are excellent for maintaining structure and flavor, but other firm baking apples work well too.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
