Invisible Apple Cake
Published Sep 01, 2025
This invisible apple cake is made with thin slices of Honeycrisp apples layered in a custard-like batter, then baked in the oven.
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The Invisible Cake I didn’t know I loved
I was in Paris for spring break with my kids, taking them on a food tour to taste all the treats Paris is known for, when I also discovered one I had never tried before, Invisible Apple Cake! In France, they call it Gâteau Invisible because it’s made with many thin slices of apples that seem to melt into the batter after baking, making them almost “invisible”.
This invisible apple cake has a custard-like batter that reminds me of eating crepes and French toast, which is so unique and delicious! The best part, though, is the thin layers of baked apples when you cut into it, making it a really fun cake to make for guests this fall.
Happy Baking!
– Yumna
This recipe was part of our monthly Cooking Challenge for September 2025!
Invisible Apple Cake Ingredients
- Apples: Honeycrisp are ideal, slice them very thin (about ⅛ inch) using a mandoline so they layer neatly and bake evenly into the custardy batter.
- Dry Ingredients: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Whisk these together first to evenly distribute the spices and leavening.
- Wet Ingredients: Eggs (room temp), whole milk, melted unsalted butter (cooled slightly), and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth before combining with the dry mix.
- For the Pan: Light cooking spray plus parchment paper helps the cake release cleanly.
How to Make Invisible Apple Cake
Invisible Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 4 large Honeycrisp apples about 2 pounds, peeled and cored
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- Using a mandoline set to ⅛ inch, carefully slice the peeled and cored whole apples into rings. The slices should be very thin and flexible. Use a safety guard or cut-resistant glove when slicing. Then, cut the apple slices in half and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until light and foamy. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, and whisk until fully combined.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated.
- Add the sliced apples to the batter and gently toss until all the slices are evenly coated.
- Layer the apple slices into the prepared pan a handful at a time, spreading them out and pressing down lightly as you go. Pour any remaining batter over the top and smooth it out.
- Place the loaf pan on a sheet pan to catch any spills. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then use the parchment paper to lift it out and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Tips
- Use a mandoline. For best results, slice the apples very thin, about 1/16 to ⅛ inch thick. A mandoline slicer makes this easier and keeps the slices even, which helps the apples cook properly and creates the cake’s beautiful layers. If you slice by hand, go slowly to keep the pieces uniform.
- Let it cool completely or chill for clean slices: Cooling for about 2 hours helps the custardy cake set so it doesn’t fall apart when cut.
FAQs
Let the cake cool completely before storing. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Since it has a custard-like texture from the apples, refrigeration keeps it fresh and prevents it from getting soggy.
I would avoid freezing because the apples are sliced very thin and layered throughout. When thawed, they can turn mealy, watery, or change texture.
Comments
Such a delicious fall treat! The apple flavor is perfect, sweet enough but not too sweet! I am going to make this for Thanksgiving this year!
Love that!! So glad you enjoyed it, Jenna!
I’m usually not an apple in dessert person, but thought I’d give this a go. Absolutely blew me away in the best way possible. Will be adding this to my weekend dessert rotation. Thanks for another winner Yumna!
Yay!! That makes me so happy to hear! Thanks!!
It was delicious! My family loved it!
Aww, that makes me so happy to hear! Glad it was a hit!!
I was really disappointed with this recipe. I doubled the quantity as I wanted to make it for a family dinner. I really expected to get a “wow” cake when in reality I found that the cake wasn’t anything special and was not really enjoyed by the diners. It’s not a cake I will make again – sorry
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that! When you say that you doubled it, do you mean that you doubled the recipe but baked it in a larger loaf pan or baking dish instead of two 1-pound loaf pans? Was there anything else that you changed about the recipe?
Lovely texture, great taste! Perfect for the end of summer and beginning of fall.
Yay! So happy you loved it, Teodora! Thank you!!
I would love to make this, but I see loaf pans come in different sizes. What size did you use? I love your recipes!
Hi there! I use this USA Pan loaf pan, which is 1 pound. Hope that helps!
I’ll make it again and again!
Amazing! That makes me so happy to hear!!
I was delighted with this cake. The texture was lovely and the ease of putting together this cake was surprising. I’m so glad I tried it. I’ll definite making it again.
Yay!! So happy you loved it, Mary! Thank you so much!!
Amazing fall vibes cake!
Yes!! So happy you like it!
I love this. I was surprised at how simple this is to prepare, but looks so fancy. Absolutely delicious!
Yay!! Aww, so glad you loved it and found it easy to make!
The Invisible Apple Cake was easy to follow and tasted great. I followed the recipe to a tee. I did put whipped cream on it which we loved. I will make it again.
Amazing!! Aww, so glad you loved it!
This cake has the most amazing texture! And it is so pretty to serve with all the layers. I topped it with a little cinnamon sanding sugar for a little crunch and added fall flavor. Loved it!
Aww, that sounds so good! So happy you liked it, Adrienne! Thank you!!
Absolutely wonderful! Followed reciped with a touch less sugar and pumpkin spice since I didn’thave either cinnamonor cardamom. Perfect as is though! Will definitely make again and recommend others to try! 🙂
Can I replace the whole milk with oat milk please?
Yes, I think that will work fine!
This invisible apple cake is amazing. Just made it and we couldn’t wait to try a slice. It melts in your mouth and tastes so good. I did add a little more cinnamon based on one comment and we love cinnamon anyway. Going to make it again for some neighbors at end of month. Your recipes are great and easy to follow.
Aww, thank you so much!! So happy you loved it and found the recipe easy to follow. Thanks, Laura!
Invisible Apple 🍎 🍎 Cake @feelgoodfoodie September Challenge 2025 Recipe 😃 so so good 😊 perfect 🤩 for Apple season – made them in mini loaves 🤩
Aww, love that! So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Agnes!!
Made this over the weekend and it was so tasty! I didn’t have any cardamom so just added a bit more cinnamon. Will definitely make this again.
Yum, sounds delicious! So happy you liked it, Emily. Thank you so much!!
OMG! This Invisible Apple Cake is the perfect fall treat!!! My apple pie loving family is so happy devouring this cake!! Texture is like the center of an apple pie! SO GOOD! We added some whipped cream!
Aww, so glad you all love it! Yay!! Thank you so much for sharing, Noreen!
Tasty for fall! I loved it but maybe a little sweeter. Next time I’ll add a little more cinnamon and sugar. But overall, yummy!!
Yay! So happy you liked it!!
It’s delicious. So moist and yes, custard like, and would be perfect with some vanilla ice cream!
Yay! So happy you loved it! Thank you so much!!
This cake is honestly so quick and easy to make…as long as you have a good relationship with your mandolin lol 🙂 It really looked crazy impressive for the amount of effort it actually took. My family ate it for breakfast with a dollop of yogurt on top – delicious and a fabulous way to use up those Fall apples!
Aww, so happy you and your family loved it! Thank you so much, Adelaide!!
Absolutely delicious and thin apple slices are the key. Cardamom gives it a unique flavor. I’ll definitely make again.
Yay! So happy you liked it!!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! It looks perfect for a fall work meeting. May rate up there with the cranberry shortbread bars that are my all time favorite!
Yay, I hope you enjoy it!! Let me know what you (and your coworkers) think once you’ve tried it!
What a good way to start off the fall season! This recipe looks so cozy. I wonder if this could possibly work with pears too?
Yes, I totally think it would work with pears, but I haven’t tried it before.
The description of a cross between crepe and French toast is incredibly accurate. So easy to make and no chance of messing it up comes out custardy and delicious 😋 have even made it twice once before but found this recipe outline to be more concise
So happy you love it, Jessie! Thank you so much for your kind words!!
This looks yummy. I wonder if you have any suggestions on how to make it eggless. We have an allergy at home….and have tons of apples to use up!
You could try making flax eggs (here’s my tutorial: How to Make a Flax Egg). I haven’t used flax eggs in this recipe but it might work! I’d love to hear how it turns out if you end up trying it.
Glad to have found this recipe, had some leftover apples and really enjoyed this with the family! Usually I don’t know what else to make with apples for the fall season other than pie, so this was a welcome change and really hit the spot. My family and I really liked the custardy texture. Thank you Yumna!
Aww, so happy you and your family liked it!! Thank you, Angelica!
Wow! With apple, cinnamon, cardamom, eggs, whole milk, butter and vanilla extract, this seems to be a very healthy wholesome dish with awesome spices!
Hope you enjoy it, Partha!
Turned out great! Great way to use up your apples and looks fancy in front of guests 🙂
Aww, so happy you liked it! Thank you!!
This cake was easy to make and tastes so good!!! I am going to add more cinnamon the next time I make it.
Yay, so glad you liked it!!