Name: Invisible Apple Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 large apples; ⅓ cup (80 g) cream cheese (I used low fat cream cheese); 2 large eggs; 2 to 3 tbsp granulated sweetener (for sweeter cake); ½ tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; a pinch of lemon zest

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This Invisible Apple Cake (Gâteau Invisible) features thin slices of sweet apples baked in a rich custard. Made with 3 ingredients, this flourless and sugar-free recipe makes a healthy treat for your sweet tooth.

Apple lovers rejoice! There’s a new healthy dessert waiting for you to enjoy. In this invisible apple cake, the apples seem to disappear into a creamy custard. The result is a combination of flavors and textures that will have you hooked at first bite. Enjoy with a drizzle of maple syrup or a scoop of vanilla ice cream as a healthier treat.

What is invisible apple cake?

This dessert is simple but still incredibly delicious. It is composed by two main parts, apples and custard. The custard is originally made from eggs, sugar, flour and milk, but my recipe takes a healthier twist. Cream cheese and eggs, plus little sweetener if desired.

As the cake bakes, the thin apple slices blend into the custard, almost disappearing. But their delicious flavor will still shines through, resulting in a light, sweet, and fruity treat that’s sure to delight!

The concept of the Invisible Cake finds its origins in France, where it’s called Gâteau Invisible, but it’s also popular across other cultures. In Japan, people add white miso for a delicious umami flavor. In Italy, especially in the North, “Torta Invisibile di Mele” is a popular dessert during Fall.

Ingredients

This is a healthy invisible apple cake with no flour and no added sugar. My recipe requires just 3 simple ingredients – apples, cream cheese and eggs. In the following list you will find more details, precise quantities are in the recipe card at the end.

Apples – I recommend crisp and sweet varieties, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Golden Delicious. Replace with other types of apple, if you have preferences.
Cream cheese – This recipe uses reduced fat cream cheese, but regular cream cheese will also work. I’ve also tried it with Greek yogurt, but it made the cake overly creamy and less rich.
Eggs – Use 2 large fresh eggs, preferably from free-range chickens. Egg whites only do not work, the yolks are needed for the custard.

If using sour apples or if you have the sweet tooth, I suggest adding a couple tablespoons of granulated sweetener. Brown sugar, coconut sugar, regular sugar, erythritol and monk fruit sweetener will all work. A dash of vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and lemon zest pair wonderfully with the apple flavors.

How to make invisible apple cake

Step 1 – Prep. Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C) and line a 8×4 (20 cm x 10 cm) baking pan with parchment paper. As an alternative you can also grease it with oil or butter.

Step 2 – Slice. Wash, peel, and core the apples. Then, cut into quarters and slice them thinly using a mandoline or potato peeler. Aim for slices around 0.05 inches (1.5 mm) thick, they should be very thin. Set apples aside.

Step 3 – Mix. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese and eggs until smooth. If desired, you can add 2 to 3 tablespoons of granulated sweetener, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and lemon zest at this stage. Stir everything well until combined. Once the custard ingredients are well-mixed, gently fold in the thinly sliced apples. Make sure they are evenly distributed in the mixture.

Step 4 – Bake. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out into even layers. Bake on the middle rack of a preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown. Let cool completely to room temperature before slicing.

Matteo’s tips

Prefer sweet apples – Choose Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala. These varieties will give the cake plenty of natural sweetness without the need for sugar.
Add sweetness – I find that this invisible apple cake has already plenty of taste without sugar. But if you have the sweet tooth or if you make it with sour apples, you may need two to three tablespoons of sweetener.
Make even layers – When spreading the batter into the baking pan, aim to distribute the apples evenly in horizontal layers. This ensures they bake uniformly and prevents any uneven texture.
Bake through – The cooking time is of approximately 40 to 50 minutes, but it may varies depending on pan sizes, oven powers and the thickness of your apples. You know it is ready when golden brown on top and no more liquid inside. Try inserting a toothpick, it should come out clean.
Serve with toppings – Drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon, or add a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt. For a nutty twist, try it with almond butter on top!

Storage directions

After baking, let the cake cool completely to room temperature. Once it has cooled, place leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for a maximum of 4 days. Freezing is not recommended. For serving, it will taste delicious either cold or warm. You can heat it up in the oven or in the microwave and then enjoy with your favorite toppings.

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