Best Recipe You've Never Heard of: Invisible Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 2.5 pounds Apples (core removed, sliced ultra‑thin (≈1 mm) with a mandolin)
• 3 large Large Eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar (for the batter)
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Allspice
• ½ teaspoon Ground Cardamom
• ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• ½ cup Whole Milk
• ½ cup Unsalted Butter (melted, cooled slightly)
• 1 cup Heavy Cream (for whipped topping, optional)
• 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar (for topping) (to sweeten whipped cream)
• 1 sheet Parchment Paper (cut to fit a 9×5‑inch loaf pan)
• 1 spray Non‑Stick Cooking Spray (to coat pan and parchment)

Instructions

1. Slice the Apples

   Core the apples and, using a mandolin set to its thinnest setting, slice the fruit into ultra‑thin, uniform rounds. Wear the metal hand guard for safety.

   Time: PT15M

2. Beat Eggs and Sugar

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and 1 cup granulated sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium‑high speed until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and has roughly doubled in volume.

   Time: PT5M

3. Add Dry Ingredients

   Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add about half of this dry mixture to the egg‑sugar foam and fold gently.

   Time: PT2M

4. Incorporate Milk and Butter

   Pour the milk into the batter, mixing on low. Then add the remaining dry ingredients, followed by the melted butter, mixing just until combined.

   Time: PT2M

5. Prepare the Loaf Pan

   Line the loaf pan with parchment paper cut to fit, then spray the parchment and the pan with non‑stick cooking spray.

   Time: PT2M

6. Layer Batter and Apples

   Scoop about ½ cup of batter into the bottom of the pan and spread evenly. Arrange one‑third of the sliced apples, flat side against the pan walls, covering the batter completely. Repeat the batter‑apple layering two more times, finishing with a thin batter layer on top.

   Time: PT5M

7. Bake the Cake

   Place the loaf pan in a pre‑heated oven and bake at 375°F for 80–90 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

   Time: PT1H30M

   Temperature: 375°F

8. Cool and Serve

   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using the parchment and transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream if desired.

   Time: PT15M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

250

Protein

3 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

8 g

Fiber

3 g