Go Back
Apple Rose Cake, Apple Flower Cake Square
Print Recipe

Apple Rose Cake

This apple rose cake has an amazingly fluffy and moist sponge cake base with a beautiful rose decoration! Thin apple slices cover the top of the cake for a simple yet show-stopping dessert.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time1 hour 35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: apple flower cake, apple rose cake, apple roses cake, apple sponge cake, fluffy apple cake
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 353kcal

Ingredients

Apple Rose Topping

  • 4 apples halved, cored and thinly sliced about 1/8 inch thin
  • 1 lemon or around 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons sugar 12.5 grams

Cake

  • 3 large eggs
  • 133 grams sugar 2/3 cup
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 84 grams unsalted butter melted (6 tbsp)
  • 80 mL milk 1/3 cup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 210 grams all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cup
  • 2 apples grated (around 2 cups)
  • powdered sugar optional for dusting

Instructions

Prep the Apple Slices

  • Slice the apples in half, remove the core and slice each half into thin slices around 1/8" thick.
  • Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the sliced apples and toss them evenly with sugar.
  • Spread the slices in an even layer on a microwave-safe plate(s).
  • Microwave the slices until very flexible and bendy, around 2 minutes. Note 1
  • Drain any extra liquid and set the slices aside. Note 2

Prep the Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 9-inch springform pan and set it aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, and salt until fluffy, around 3 minutes.
  • Mix the hot melted butter and milk. Then, gradually pour the mixture into the beaten eggs while mixing. (If the melted butter has already cooled down, you can add it and the milk directly into the beaten eggs.)
  • Also, mix the vanilla extract and baking powder.
  • Gently mix in the flour.
  • Fold in the grated apple.
  • Pour the batter into the cake pan and smooth it into an even layer with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
  • Start placing the apple slices at the outer edge of the cake. Slightly press a slice down into the batter at roughly a 45-degree angle. Add the next apple slice, overlapping either 1/2 or 3/4 of the previous one. Continue working around the cake in an inward spiral until you reach the center. Note 3

Bake and Serve

  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Note 4
  • Dust the cake with the powdered sugar just before serving

Notes

  1. You want to microwave the apple slices until they are very bendy. This will prevent the apple slices from cracking/snapping while arranging them in the rose shape.
  2. If the apple slices are covered in a lot of extra lemon/apple juice when you arrange them on top of the cake layer, there will be a custard-like layer after baking. That layer will prevent the rose topping from staying in place.
  3. Make sure to press the apple slices into the cake batter so that they stay in place after baking.
  4. If just the apple topping appears watery/custardy on the top, try testing the cake from the side.