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Thousand layer apple cake

Layered apple cake on parchment paper, with a caramelized top and visible apple layers. Warm kitchen setting, soft lighting.

By Tom · Updated

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  • About 2 hours 20 min
  • Takes a bit of care

This thousand layer apple cake, also known as invisible apple cake, is a beautifully delicate bake where paper-thin slices of apples melt into a soft, custardy interior while the outside turns lightly crisp and caramelized. It's a yet simple recipe that transforms everyday apples into an elegant dessert, almost like an apple terrine.

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The recipe

Thousand layer apple cake

This thousand layer apple cake, also known as invisible apple cake, is a beautifully delicate bake where paper-thin slices of apples melt into a soft.

  • 20 min prep
  • 1 hour 45 min cooking
  • 15 min hands-off
  • Takes a bit of care

Times and difficulty are our estimates from the method, not stopwatch figures.

Quantities
Measurements

Ingredients

Apples

Batter

Finish

Tick things off as you go — they stay ticked if you close the page.

A dotted underline means the amount has been rounded to something you can measure.

Method

Prepare the apples

  1. Step 1

    Peel 6-8 apples (6).

  2. Step 2

    Cut each apple (6) in half and remove the cores.

  3. Step 3

    Thinly slice the apples (6) about 1-2 mm thick.

  4. Step 4

    Use a mandolin for best results and be very careful, it is very sharp.

  5. Step 5

    If slicing with a knife, ensure the slices are as thin and even as possible.

  6. Step 6

    Place all sliced apples (6) into a large mixing bowl.

Add orange zest and juice

  1. Step 1

    Add the zest of one orange (1) to the apples (6).

  2. Step 2

    Squeeze the juice from the orange (1) into the bowl.

  3. Step 3

    The zest adds most of the flavour.

  4. Step 4

    The juice marinates the apples (6) and prevents discolouration.

  5. Step 5

    Use your hands to mix thoroughly until every slice is completely coated.

  6. Step 6

    Set the apples (6) aside.

Make the batter

  1. Step 1

    In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs (2) and caster sugar (70 g) until pale and the sugar is fully dissolved.

  2. Step 2

    Add the melted butter (30 g), milk (120 ml), vanilla, cinnamon (½ tsp) and nutmeg (¼ tsp) and whisk until smooth.

  3. Step 3

    Add the plain flour (75 g) and whisk until just combined.

  4. Step 4

    The batter will be thin, this is correct.

Combine apples and batter

  1. Step 1

    Pour the batter over the bowl of sliced apples (6).

  2. Step 2

    Mix thoroughly so all slices are evenly coated in the batter.

Prepare the tin

  1. Step 1

    Line a loaf tin using two strips of parchment:

  2. Step 2

    One strip across the width.

  3. Step 3

    One long strip lengthwise.

  4. Step 4

    Leave overhang on the sides for easy lifting later.

Assemble the cake

  1. Step 1

    Transfer the coated apple (6) slices into the tin.

  2. Step 2

    You can simply tip them in and press down randomly, or.

  3. Step 3

    Arrange slice by slice for the best visual and structural result.

  4. Step 4

    Pack the apples (6) in tightly and compactly.

  5. Step 5

    If any batter remains in the bowl, pour it over the top of the apples (6).

Bake

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 170°C (338°F).

  2. Step 2

    Bake the loaf for about 1 hour.

  3. Step 3

    After 40-45 minutes, check the colour:

  4. Step 4

    If browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil to prevent over-browning.

Cool and glaze

  1. Step 1

    Once baked, the top should be caramelised, puffed, and slightly risen.

  2. Step 2

    It will sink back down as it cools, this is normal.

  3. Step 3

    Let the cake cool in the tin for 15 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Brush the top with warm apricot jam for a shiny finish.

  5. Step 5

    Allow the cake to cool completely before lifting out and slicing.

Serve

  1. Step 1

    Serve warm or at room temperature.

  2. Step 2

    Dust lightly with icing sugar before serving.

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Questions people ask

How long does thousand layer apple cake take?

About 2 hours 20 min from start to finish: 20 min of prep, 1 hour 45 min of cooking, and 15 min hands-off while it waits. That figure is worked out from the method rather than timed with a stopwatch, so give yourself a little more the first time.

How much does this make?

The original recipe did not state a yield, so nothing has been invented for it. The scale control on the recipe card multiplies the quantities instead, which is the honest version of the same thing.

Can I see the ingredients in ounces and pints?

Yes. The metric and imperial switch on the recipe card converts every quantity, rounded to amounts you can actually weigh or measure rather than to four decimal places. Your choice is remembered for every recipe on the site.

Is it vegetarian?

Yes, as written. If you are cooking for a strict vegetarian, the one to check is the cheese: several hard cheeses are made with animal rennet.