French Apple Cake

Ingredients
Cooking spray or butter, for coating the pan
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
3 medium apples (I used Honeycrisp)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup spiced rum
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Powdered sugar, for serving

Instructions

Arrange a rack in the middle of the and heat oven to 350ºF. Meanwhile, coat an 8-inch round or square cake pan with cooking spray or butter, then line the bottom with parchment paper.
Melt 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter. Peel, core, and dice 3 apples.
Whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon fine salt together in a medium bowl.
Whisk 2 eggs in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the melted butter, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup spiced rum, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, and whisk to combine. Add the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Add the apples and fold until just combined.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before carefully removing from pan (loosen the sides by running a thin knife around the edge if needed first). Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Storage: The cake can be well wrapped and refrigerated for a few days, or frozen for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe adapted from thekitchn.com