Rustic French Apple and Chocolate Cake

This French-inspired cake brings together the comforting flavors of tender apples and pockets of melty chocolate in every bite. With a moist, buttery crumb and golden edges, it’s got this kind of humble-yet-irresistible bake that feels just right for a small gathers, making for a friend or just a slow Sunday dinner. Trust me when I saw you'll want to serve this slightly warm (aka, nearly fresh out of the oven!).

ingredients you'll need

• 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 temp
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temp
• 2 eggs, room temp
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
• 1 chocolate bar, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt, room temp

how to make this French apple and chocolate cake recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. In one bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
3. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut in room temperature butter until it forms pea-sized pieces.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until the eggs are fully incorporated.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a spoon until no dry bits remain.
6. Gently fold in diced apples and chopped chocolate.
7. Grease an 8-inch pan and line with parchment paper, then pour in the batter. Arrange apple slices and remaining chocolate on top.
8. Bake for 40-50 minutes until a tester comes out clean. If the top is browning too much, you can cover it with foil.

A French-Inspired Recipe

This cake was inspired by Manon Lagrève’s beautiful Pear and Chocolate Cake, which she recalls her grandmother (or Mamie) making for her when she was young in France. I was drawn to this story because, like Manon, I am baking for my own young children. While I adored the original recipe, as with most things in my kitchen, it naturally evolved with a few personal tweaks. But I still wanted to capture that French countryside essence—because, if you know me, you know I’m always inspired by the artful simplicity of French living. I love celebrating the small joys and elevating life’s little moments through food. At the same time, I wanted to honor my own Virginia heritage, which is why I chose to use apples (we have a lot of great apples here in Virginia!) in place of pears.

What Makes this Cake Special

As a self-taught baker, I have my own systems, but I’m always inspired by new methods. This cake, a simple rustic French creation with vanilla, apples, and chocolate, really caught my attention. It’s flavor-forward, which I love. What stood out was how the butter is incorporated—cut into the flour and sugar like a pie crust, rather than creamed with sugar. I was skeptical at first, but it turned out to be a hands-on and enjoyable process. The oven temperature also surprised me—400 degrees! But I soon realized that high heat creates that rustic exterior while keeping the inside light and fluffy.

What is a snacking cake?

A snacking cake is a simple, single-layer cake designed to be just the right size for a small group, but it’s also perfect for when you’re craving something sweet on a random Tuesday. It's not overly indulgent or fussy—just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth without leftovers piling up. Snacking cakes are typically easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients, and are a breeze to clean up afterward, making them an ideal choice for a casual treat or a quick dessert to enjoy any time.

how to store this cake

tips for this buttercream frosting

equipment you'll need

• Cutting Board
• Sharp Chef's Knife
• Mixing Bowls
• 8" Round Pan

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If you love this recipe, I’d be so grateful if you left a five star review—it truly means the world! And if you make it, I’d love to see—snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @cakejoie so I can share in the joy. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your beautiful bakes!

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Rustic French Apple and Chocolate Cake

Hannah Shepherd

This rustic apple and chocolate cake is tender, moist, and speckled with juicy apple bites and melty pools of dark chocolate throughout. A hint of tang from buttermilk and Greek yogurt gives it an old-world charm, while the golden top—crowned with sliced apples—makes it as beautiful as it is delicious.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 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 temp
• 1 cup buttermilk room temp
• 2 eggs room temp
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
• 1 chocolate bar roughly chopped, save some to top cake with
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt room temp

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F. In one bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut in room temperature butter until it forms pea-sized pieces.
• In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until the eggs are fully incorporated.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a spoon until no dry bits remain.
• Gently fold in diced apples and chopped chocolate.
• Grease an 8-inch pan and line with parchment paper, then pour in the batter.
• Arrange apple slices and remaining chocolate on top.
• Bake for 40-50 minutes until a tester comes out clean.

Notes

If the top is browning too much, you can cover it with foil.

https://cakejoie.com/rustic-french-apple-and-chocolate-cake/

May 23, 2025