Rustic French Apple & Chocolate Cake
This French-inspired cake brings together the comforting flavors of tender apples and pockets of melty chocolate in every bite, but it’s the custardy, buttery texture of the batter that keeps me coming back to this recipe again and again. It has golden edges, a moist crumb, and a humble-yet-irresistible charm that’s perfect for small gatherings, a slow Sunday dinner, or sharing with friends. Serve it slightly warm—nearly fresh out of the oven—for the best experience.
Ingredients for this Rustic French Apple & Chocolate Cake
5 small apples, peeled and cored, mostly diced but slice a couple for the top
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 ½ Teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, room temperature
1 Cup Buttermilk, room temperature
2 Eggs, room temperature
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Paste or Extract
1 Chocolate Bar, roughly chopped
¼ Cup Greek Yogurt, room temperature
How to Make This Rustic French Apple & Chocolate Cake
Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut in the butter until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, Greek yogurt, and vanilla until fully incorporated. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix with a spoon until just combined. Fold in the diced apples and chopped chocolate carefully to avoid overmixing.
Grease an 8-inch cake pan and line it with parchment paper. Pour in the batter and smooth the top. Arrange the reserved apple slices and any remaining chocolate on top. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. Serve slightly warm for the best custardy texture and melty chocolate pockets.
Baker’s Notes
This cake was inspired by Manon Lagrève’s Pear and Chocolate Cake, a recipe her grandmother made in France. I loved the story and wanted to create a version for my own children. Using Virginia-grown apples instead of pears gives it a local touch while keeping the French countryside charm. I adore how the golden edges, custardy interior, and melty chocolate pockets make it feel both humble and special. It’s perfect for a cozy afternoon with family or sharing a small slice with friends.
Equipment
I love using these cake pans.
Chances are, you might already have everything you need to bake—but just in case, you can check out all my favorite baking essentials here in my ShopMy.
