French Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 3 large apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup milk
• Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC), and move a rack into the middle position.
2. Generously coat an 8- or 9-inch (20-23cm) springform pan with butter, then set the pan on a baking sheet.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt.
4. Peel the apples, remove the cores, and cut the fruit into 1-inch (3cm) chunks.
5. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until they turn foamy. Whisk in the sugar, followed by the rum and vanilla. Add half of the flour mixture and whisk it in, then gently stir in half of the melted butter.
6. Stir in the rest of the flour mixture, then add the remaining butter.
7. Fold the apple pieces into the batter until they are nicely coated, then scrape everything into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to even out the top a bit.
8. Bake for 50 minute to 1 hour, until a knife poked into the middle comes out clean. Let the cake rest for 5 minutes, then slide a knife around the inside edge of the pan to release it. Carefully take off the sides of the pan, checking that the apples are not clinging to it.