Invisible Apple Cake

By The Modern Nonna

on Dec 06, 2024, Updated Sep 24, 2025

4.96 from 24 votes
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Introducing the invisible cake: so delicious, it disappears before your eyes—because you’ll want to eat the whole thing 😜! Jokes aside, this incredible cake is made of layers on layers of sweet-tart apples that melt into the custard-like batter, causing the apples to nearly disappear into the cake, or become “invisible” 👻. This rich, dense dessert recipe originally comes from France, where it’s called Gâteau Invisible or Gâteau Invisible Aux Pommes (Invisible Apple Cake) 🇫🇷. Thanks to the power of social media, the cake became popular in Japanese bakeries in the past decade 🇯🇵. And once again, this cake is making new rounds on social media—and just in time for holiday entertaining; here’s my take on the popular treat.

Table of Contents

The Invisible Apple Cake is displayed on a wooden board. The cake, topped with slivered almonds and powdered sugar, reveals a dense, layered interior. The board rests on a brown surface.

Why You’ll Love Invisible Apple Cake

If you love crepes, apple pie or cake, clafoutis and other custardy desserts, or you tried my Invisible Pear Cake, you will adore this Invisible Apple Cake recipe 🥧! The batter is rich and sweet, and boosted by an (optional) dose of cinnamon. 😋 The apples—sliced thin and even on a mandoline—are stacked uniformly before getting drenched in batter. 🍎 After about 1 hour of baking, a decadent cake emerges, with nearly translucent layers of apple. Slice the cake thickly and top with powdered sugar for an impressive dessert. This recipe is perfect for holiday entertaining! 🎂

How to Prepare

🌡️ Preheat the oven to 350F (177C). Line an 11 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.

🍎 Now, peel the apples (I like to use an electric peeler) and then core the apples as well.

📏 Take the mandoline, place the whole apple on it with the guard on top, and slice each apple into 1/8 inch rings (refer to my video if needed). You can also slice them thinly with a knife but the final result won’t be as good. Set the apples aside.

A hand operates a purple apple peeler, peeling an apple. In the background, there's a cozy room setting with a fireplace and a stack of firewood. Sunlight brightens the scene.
A hand uses a slicer to cut the fruit into thin, uniform rings on a white plate. Getting the apples prepared for the Invisible Apple Cake recipe.
A hand holding the thinly sliced fruit, fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree is in the background. The apples are sliced so thinly that they will disappear into the Invisible Apple Cake.

🥣 In a big bowl, add the two eggs and sugar.

🌀 Use a hand mixer to mix until the batter thickens and is nice and pale (1-2 min).

🧈 Next, add the warmed milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix.

A bowl with cracked eggs is on a kitchen counter. In the background, there's a decorated Christmas tree, a cozy fireplace with stockings, and stacked logs. Candles add a warm glow to the festive scene.
Close-up of an electric mixer beating eggs in a glass bowl. In the background, a cozy room with lit candles, stacked firewood, and a fireplace creates a warm ambiance.
Milk being poured into a glass bowl filled with a frothy yellow mixture. In the background, a rustic setting features stacked firewood and lit candles beside a brick fireplace.

🧂 Lastly, add in the flour, salt, baking powder, and optionally, cinnamon.

🥄 Mix until combined and toss in the sliced apples making sure to coat each one.

A glass bowl filled with cake batter and topped with flour and cocoa sits on a white kitchen counter. In the background, a decorated Christmas tree and a lit fireplace are visible, creating a cozy holiday atmosphere.
A glass bowl with cake batter being mixed using a hand mixer, next to a fireplace decorated with stockings and candles. A Christmas tree with ornaments is visible in the background.
A large glass bowl filled with batter and thinly sliced apples is on a table. In the background, there's a cozy scene with a Christmas tree, a stack of firewood, and candles near a brick fireplace.

👐 With clean hands, take a few apples at a time from the bowl and start arranging them into the loaf pan making sure to layer them evenly until the loaf pan is full to the top. Pour the remaining batter on top and give the pan a shake to spread evenly.

👩‍🍳 Optionally, you can add thinly sliced almonds on top.

⏲️ Bake at 350F (177C) for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

❄️ Once baked, take the Invisible Apple Cake out of the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

🍨 Serve with a sprinkling of powdered sugar, ice cream, or caramel sauce on top.

A loaf pan lined with parchment paper and secured with binder clips is filled with batter and apple slices. The background shows a cozy room with a decorated Christmas tree, a fireplace, stacked logs, and lit candles.
A creamy batter is being poured into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper, secured with binder clips. The background features a cozy fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree, creating a warm holiday atmosphere.
Close-up of a hand holding a slice of invisible apple cake, showcasing the intricate layers within. The dessert has a golden crust, and sliced almonds are sprinkled on top. A cooling rack and red apples are visible in the blurred background.

Nonna’s Tip 🍏

I love using my mandoline to get super thin and consistent apple slices. Please NEVER use a mandoline without the guard as it can cause serious injuries. If you don’t have a mandoline, you can absolutely use a knife but be mindful to slice the apples as thinly as possible for an even bake.

Close-up of an invisible apple cake held by a hand. The pastry is golden, showcasing distinct, thin layers, and is topped with slivered almonds. A wire cooling rack is visible in the blurred background.

Variations and Substitutions for Invisible Apple Cake

  1. Feel free to use any sweet apples such as Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, or Fuji. 
  2. You could also use a sweet variety of 🍐 pears in this recipe to make my Invisible Pear Cake, which is equally as delicious.
  3. If you’d like, a sprinkle of cinnamon works wonders in this Invisible Apple Cake. Keep in mind that it will make the batter slightly darker, so if you want a paler cake, keep it out.
  4. Make this cake gluten-free by using 1-1 gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose.
  5. I have not tried making this cake with 🥛 non-dairy milk. If you do, please let me know in the comments how it turns out!

Similar Recipes

All About Gâteau Invisible

The Gâteau Invisible (literally translating to “Invisible Cake”) is a French dessert that’s made mostly out of super thinly-sliced fruit (commonly 🍎 apples or pears). The fruit is layered and bound together with a light, batter similar to a custard. The 🌟 star of the dessert is the fruit itself, as it uses just enough batter to hold the slices together. The result is a delicate and almost “invisible” texture once baked, and a stunning presentation when sliced.

Best Served With

  • Serve this Invisible Apple Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert (or my incredible Cottage Cheese Ice Cream).
  • A drizzle of caramel sauce would be delicious with a slice of this cake.

Common Questions

can I make this invisible apple cake gluten-free?

I have not tried making this cake gluten-free, but you should be able to use a gluten-free 1-1 all-purpose baking flour instead.

how do you prepare the pan?

I like to spray and line the springform pan for easier cleanup (using binder clips to keep the paper in place). But, feel free to butter and flour it if you wish.

how can I make sure my baking powder is still good?

When using baking powder, always check the expiration date. Expired baking powder will not help your recipe rise in the oven, and it will be sad and flat. You can test if your baking powder has expired by adding ½ teaspoon baking powder to ¼ cup hot water. If the water bubbles up, it’s not expired; if it does not bubble, it’s expired and should be tossed.

what if I don’t have a mandoline slicer?

You can slice the apples thinly with a sharp knife. However, the slices might not be as uniform, which could affect layering and baking consistency.

can I make this invisible apple cake dairy-free?

I have not tried making this cake with non-dairy milk. If you do, please let me know in the comments how it turns out!

A close-up view of a sliced almond-topped pastry, dusted with powdered sugar. The golden layers of the pastry are visible, and a silver knife lies beside it on a wooden surface.

Invisible Apple Cake

This viral invisible apple cake is made from sliced apples. The apples disappear into the cake and you're left with something magical!
4.96 from 24 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French, Italian, Japanese
Makes: 8 slices
Author: The Modern Nonna
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Video

Equipment

mandoline
Electric Peeler
Nakiri Knife
Cutting Board
Mixing Bowls
Measuring Cups + Spoons
Liquid Measuring Cup
Loaf Pan
Parchment Paper
Hand Mixer

Ingredients 

  • 4 honey crisp apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 2 eggs
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ½ cup milk, warmed
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla, or vanilla bean
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon, optional
  • sliced almonds, optional
US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

  • Note: never use a mandoline without the guard as it can cause serious injuries. I have linked my favourite mandoline in the recipe card and used the closest setting to the blade (the thinnest).
  • Preheat the oven to 350F (177C). Line an 11 by 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Now, peel and core the apples. Take the mandoline, place the whole apple on it with the guard on top, and slice each apple into 1/8 inch rings (refer to my video if needed). You can also slice them thinly with a knife but the final result won't be as good.
    A hand uses a slicer to cut an apple into thin, uniform rings on a white plate. Sunlight casts shadows on the white wooden surface, and several sliced apple rings are neatly piled.
  • Set the sliced apples aside and begin to work on the cake batter.
    A hand holding a thinly sliced apple in front of a plate with more apple slices. In the background, there's a lit fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree.
  • In a big bowl, add the two eggs and sugar. With a mixer, mix until the batter thickens and is nice and pale (1-2 min).
    Close-up of an electric mixer beating eggs in a glass bowl. In the background, a cozy room with lit candles, stacked firewood, and a fireplace creates a warm ambiance.
  • Next, add in the warmed milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix.
    A close-up of a hand pouring melted butter from a small glass bowl into a larger bowl containing a batter mixture. A warm, cozy background with lit candles and a wooden fireplace is visible.
  • Lastly, add in the dry ingredients which are flour, salt, baking powder, and optionally, cinnamon.
    A glass bowl filled with cake batter and topped with flour and cocoa sits on a white kitchen counter. In the background, a decorated Christmas tree and a lit fireplace are visible, creating a cozy holiday atmosphere.
  • Mix until combined and toss in the sliced apples making sure to coat each one.
    A large glass bowl filled with batter and thinly sliced apples is on a table. In the background, there's a cozy scene with a Christmas tree, a stack of firewood, and candles near a brick fireplace.
  • With clean hands, take a few apples at a time from the bowl and start arranging them into the loaf pan making sure to layer them evenly until the loaf pan is full to the top.
    A loaf pan lined with parchment paper and secured with binder clips is filled with batter and apple slices. The background shows a cozy room with a decorated Christmas tree, a fireplace, stacked logs, and lit candles.
  • When you place the coated apple rings in the pan, you will be left with a little bit of extra batter. Pour the remaining batter on top and give the pan a shake.
    A creamy batter is being poured into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper, secured with binder clips. The background features a cozy fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree, creating a warm holiday atmosphere.
  • Optionally, you can add thinly sliced almonds on top or bake as it. I like adding almonds for presentation, but you don't have to.
    A close-up view of a sliced almond-topped pastry, dusted with powdered sugar. The golden layers of the pastry are visible, and a silver knife lies beside it on a wooden surface.
  • Bake at 350F (177C) for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
    Note: I like my cake to be lightly golden so keep an eye on it as every oven is different. Once baked, take it out of the oven and let is cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. If you try to slice it prior to cooling, it will be a mushy mess!
    Close-up of a hand holding a slice of layered apple dessert, showcasing the intricate layers within. The dessert has a golden crust, and sliced almonds are sprinkled on top. A cooling rack and red apples are visible in the blurred background.
  • Serve with: powdered sugar, ice cream, or caramel on top! Enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice, Calories: 160kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Sodium: 171mg, Potassium: 146mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 221IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 63mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French, Italian, Japanese
COOKED IT? SLAYED IT? 💅
Tag @themodernnonna so I can hype you up 👏 and don’t forget to rate ⭐, drop a comment 💬, and show some love right here on the recipe!

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Hi! I'm Sneji. Nice to meet you!

I am more commonly known as “The Modern Nonna” on social media where I create easy home cooked meals with a modern twist. I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned how to cook at the best culinary school in the world – my grandma’s kitchen. I lived in Greece on the Island of Crete with my parents for a while and then moved to Toronto, Canada when I was in grade 5. I started to really cook and experiment with food 11 years ago when I was 21 years old. Everything I currently know is a reflection of some part of my life…

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4.96 from 24 votes

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98 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    Hi. I made this without dairy! I added a little extra vanilla, a half cup of diced mango with juice, and an extra egg. It is so delicious!! Oh and I spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Thank you enjoy.

    Reply

  3. Made this last night for our family and everyone loved it! Used homemade cashew milk since we typically don’t have milk in the house and worked perfectly. Served with lightly sweetened fresh whip cream. You definitely need to let it sit for at least 30 minutes before cutting it but an hour is even better for easier slicing. Don’t skip the sliced almonds on top! They give a nice contrast crunch and compliment the apple/vanilla custard. 10/10 recommend for a lovely fall treat!

    Reply

    1. Yes, you can! I like to serve it room temp by placing it on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour. You could also reheat the entire cake in the oven by wrapping it in foil and placing it in a 300F oven for 10-15 minutes. Hope this helps!😉

      Reply

  9. Do you recommend refrigerating the Invisible Apple cake if not serving immediately or is room temperature ok? Also, I am not expecting leftovers but how long do you think it will keep?
    I am taking it to a friends for a weekend retreat. Thank you

    Reply

    1. Hi, Gail! If you’re making it ahead, I would let it cool to room temperature then store it in the fridge. It will be good for 3-5 days. You can always set it out and allow it to come back to room temp before serving. ❤️

      Reply