Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By The English Kitchen
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

"French Laundry's" Apple Kuchen with Custard Sauce

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


 
I stumbled onto this recipe for the French Laundry’s Apple Kuchen on Pinterest the other day. It led me to a page called An Inspired Cook.   It looked really delicious.   I was very keen to try it with the new red fleshed Sweet Tart Applies I had bought.
The French Laundry is a very upscale restaurant in California.  It holds three Michelin Stars and serves nothing but a tasting menu, which changes every day. On average a meal eaten there can cost upwards of $390 per person. Much too rich for my budget, although if I won the lottery, I might be tempted.
In any case this cake recipe promised me a tiny taste of what I could expect.  I am not sure how entirely authentic it is, but a gal can dream.

It is a cake in the European sense of a cake, which means that it is not overly sweet and has a lovely dense crumb.  Some moisture and sweetness are added from the use of apple slices which are poked down into the batter in a “spoke” fashion prior to baking. 
This makes for a very impressive presentation.  I have included a recipe for a lush vanilla custard sauce to serve with it. This is completely optional. If you don’t wish to go to the trouble you could also serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of good vanilla ice cream.
This is a cake that everyone will enjoy. I promise you! 

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE “FRENCH LAUNDRY’S” APPLE KUCHEN 
(with custard sauce)


You only need a few store cupboard baking ingredients for this lovely cake. It really is that simple.
For the cake:
  • 6 TBS (86g) butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (144g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 cups (187g) plain all-purpose flour, unsifted
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
  • 1 – 2 fresh apples, peeled, cored and cut into thin wedges (I used red fleshed sweet tart apples)
  • 1 TBS sugar mixed together with 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the sauce:
  • 4 cups (950ml) whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks (or 5 medium)
  • 2/3 cup (125g) caster sugar
  • 1/4 cup + 3/4 TBS (57g) cornstarch (corn flour)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

For real success, make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature.  This will help to prevent the cake batter from curdling when you beat everything together.  If I know I am going to be baking a cake, I will usually take all of the things I am going to need out of the refrigerator about an hour before I start.
I use whole milk and salted butter. It is all I keep in my house. I don’t have a problem with either one.
I used red fleshed Sweet Tart apples.  I buy them at my local Spurr’s Farm Market. It is a variety unique to them.  It is the same apple that I used to make my applesauce.  You can use any apple you wish. Do not cut them into really thick slices.
You can freeze your egg whites to use for making meringues or even a Pavlova.  They really do freeze very well.  Just make a note on the outside of your freezer container as to how many egg whites it contains.
HOW TO MAKE FRENCH LAUNDRY'S APPLE KUCHEN WITH CUSTARD SAUCE
HOW TO MAKE FRENCH LAUNDRY’S APPLE KUCHEN WITH CUSTARD SAUCE
As impressive as this cake looks when it is done, it is really a very simple cake to make and to bake.



Preheat the oven to 350*F/180*C/gas mark 4. Butter a 9-inch round springform pan and dust lightly with flour, tapping out any excess flour.



Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy with an electric mixer. Beat in the egg until creamy.



Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add this mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, making three dry and two wet additions.



Spoon the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing over the top evenly. Arrange the apple slices in the top of the cake, spoke fashion, beginning at the center of the cake.



Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over top of the cake.

 
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until well risen, golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Mine took an additional 10 minutes.) (Leave to cool in the pan before removing.)



Make the custard while the cake is baking. Whisk the egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch together in a medium sized saucepan until it is smooth, thick and yellow.



Heat the milk in the microwave just until bubbles appear around the edges. Do not let it boil.

 
Slowly whisk the milk into the egg/sugar/cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly, until all of the milk has been added.



Place over medium high heat and cook, stirring constantly, with a whisk until the custard has simmered for a few minutes and thickened up to the desired consistency. It should coat the back of a metal spoon. Place a piece of plastic cling film over the top to help prevent a skin from forming.



Serve the cake slightly warm and cut into wedges with the warm custard for pouring over top. (I did dust the top of my cake with icing sugar for presentation purposes.)



This was quite a sturdy cake with a moist crumb.  Very European I felt both in texture and taste. Not overly sweet as North American cakes tend to be.  I like that.  The apples add a nice touch of sweet/tart and of course there is the cinnamon sugar sprinkled over top. 
My apples did not soften overly much and retained a bit of a bite. If that is not something you enjoy, you may want to partially cook them (briefly poach) and leave them to cool before adding them to the cake. Pat them dry before adding.
I chose to make my own custard sauce, rather than the one which was with the original recipe. It is rich and indulgent and goes very well with the cake and the fruit.  

 

 
If you are fond of cakes with fruit in them, you might also enjoy the following offerings!  I can promise you they are delicious as well! 
SPICED PLUM CAKE - This is a beautiful cake . . .  filled with the lovely flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.  Sliced plums are arranged on top of the cake prior to baking and they become almost jammy when done, tart and sweet at the same time.   The cake and fruit together are beautiful.  Serve cut into wedges with lashings of pouring cream for a real taste treat.



PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE – Deliciously impressive to look at.  Pineapple rings and cherries are arranged in a sweet sauce, in a beautiful pattern, in the bundt pan prior to adding the cake batter. (I show you how. It’s very easy.) Baked to perfection it is quite simply beautiful to look at and is delicious cut into wedges and served with whipped cream spooned over top.
RECIPE HERE

Yield: One 9-inch cake
Author: Marie Rayner

“French Laundry’s” Apple Kuchen with Custard Sauce

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 45 MinTotal time: 1 Hour
A beautiful European style cake, which is not overly sweet. Decorated and filled with sweet slices of apple and served cut into wedges with a sweet custard sauce. This is an impressive dessert that belies the simplicity of its preparation. Make the cake first. You can make the custard while the cake is baking and keep it warm.
Ingredients
For the cake:
  • 6 TBS (86g) butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (144g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 cups (187g) plain all-purpose flour, unsifted
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
  • 1 – 2 fresh apples, peeled, cored and cut into thin wedges (I used red fleshed sweet tart apples)
  • 1 TBS sugar mixed together with 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the sauce:
  • 4 cups (950ml) whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks (or 5 medium)
  • 2/3 cup (125g) caster sugar
  • 1/4 cup + 3/4 TBS (57g) cornstarch (corn flour)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350*F/180*C/gas mark 4. Butter a 9-inch round springform pan and dust lightly with flour, tapping out any excess flour.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy with an electric mixer. Beat in the egg until creamy.
  3. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add this mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, making three dry and two wet additions.
  4. Spoon the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing over the top evenly. Arrange the apple slices in the top of the cake, spoke fashion, beginning at the center of the cake.
  5. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over top of the cake.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until well risen, golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Mine took an additional 10 minutes.)
  7. Make the custard while the cake is baking. Whisk the egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch together in a medium sized saucepan until it is smooth, thick and yellow.
  8. Heat the milk in the microwave just until bubbles appear around the edges. Do not let it boil.
  9. Slowly whisk the milk into the egg/sugar/cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly, until all of the milk has been added.
  10. Place over medium high heat and cook, stirring constantly, with a whisk until the custard has simmered for a few minutes and thickened up to the desired consistency. It should coat the back of a metal spoon. Place a piece of plastic cling film over the top to help prevent a skin from forming.
  11. Serve the cake slightly warm and cut into wedges with the warm custard for pouring over top. (I did dust the top of my cake with icing sugar for presentation purposes.)
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #TheEnglishKitchen

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com 

 Thanks so much for visiting! Do come again!
If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or subscribing/following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right hand side of the screen.



Also, if you have not checked out my YouTube Channel yet, do give it a gander. I would really appreciate it,  and if you want to subscribe that would be even more appreciated!  Thank you so much!  It is not really fancy like some people’s channels. I am very much learning as I go along, but what you get is authentic at least! There is nothing fake there! No filters, bells or whistles. Filmed in real time and unedited!

Debunking the myths of English Cookery, one recipe at a time.
The English Kitchen
http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/


Source: https://www.theenglishkitchen.co/2024/10/french-laundrys-apple-kuchen-with.html



Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.