🍏 Gluten-Free Creamy French Apple Pie
“More apples than dough” style — soft, custardy, and naturally sweet!
📝 Description:
This French-inspired apple cake is unlike your traditional pie. It’s ultra-creamy with a custard-like texture, thanks to a light batter that simply hugs a generous amount of fresh apples. Naturally gluten-free, it’s easy to make, melts in your mouth, and feels both rustic and elegant. The apples shine through, making it a light but satisfying treat that’s not overly sweet.
🧾 Ingredients:
Batter:
- 4 large eggs
- A pinch of salt
- Vanillin (or 1 tsp vanilla extract) to taste
- 40 g melted butter (about 3 tbsp)
- 200 ml milk (any kind – dairy or plant-based)
- 200 g gluten-free flour blend (with xanthan gum)
- 2 tsp baking powder
Apples:
- 5 large apples or 7 medium apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
For Topping:
- 20 g melted butter (about 1.5 tbsp)
🍽️ Servings:
Makes 8 slices
Serves 6–8 people
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Prepare the apples:
- Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Set aside in a large bowl. A mandolin slicer works great for uniform slices!
2. Make the batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt and vanillin until foamy.
- Add melted butter and milk, whisking until combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix gluten-free flour with baking powder.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet until a smooth, thin batter forms (similar to pancake batter).
3. Combine:
- Fold the apple slices into the batter gently until fully coated. It should look like mostly apples held together by a small amount of batter.
4. Bake:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Line or grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Pour the apple-batter mix into the pan and smooth the top.
- Brush the top with the additional melted butter.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs (not raw batter).
5. Cool & Serve:
- Let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before releasing. Serve warm or chilled. Even better the next day!
💡 Notes & Tips:
- Apple types: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples (e.g., Honeycrisp + Granny Smith) for depth.
- Add warmth: Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter if you like cozy spice.
- Make it dairy-free: Swap butter for vegan butter and use almond, oat, or soy milk.
- Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Can be frozen in slices.
🥗 Nutritional Info (per slice):
(Approximate values)
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 4g
- Carbs: 28g
- Sugars: 12g (mostly from apples)
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 3g
- Gluten-free, low in added sugar, high in fruit content!
🌿 Benefits:
- High in fiber thanks to the apples – supports digestion.
- Lower in sugar than most cakes – relies on natural apple sweetness.
- Gluten-free for sensitive diets.
- Simple, real ingredients – no thickeners or processed fillers.
- Great way to use up extra apples!
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I make this vegan?
Yes! Replace eggs with a commercial egg replacer or 4 tbsp of applesauce + 1/2 tsp baking soda. Also use plant-based milk and vegan butter.
Q: Can I use regular flour?
Absolutely. Use all-purpose flour in the same amount if gluten-free isn’t needed.
Q: Can I reduce the eggs?
You can try with 3 eggs and slightly less milk, though the creamy structure depends on eggs.
Q: Can I add nuts or raisins?
Yes! Add 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or golden raisins for texture and extra sweetness.
Q: Why is it so creamy?
Because the batter is light and the apples are the star. As they bake, the apples release moisture that blends with the custardy batter, giving that creamy finish.
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