Radiant Apple Cake with Vanilla and Caramelized Sugar

Recipe Title: Radiant Apple Cake
Category: Desserts
Servings: 10
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vanilla Bean:
   Start by splitting the vanilla bean lengthwise with a sharp knife. Gently scrape out the seeds using the back of the knife. Set the seeds aside for later use.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
   Place the cold eggs, cold cubed butter, granulated sugar, and the vanilla seeds into a food processor. Add a pinch of salt. Secure the lid and blend on medium speed until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy.

3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. This ensures that the dry ingredients are well mixed and free of clumps.

4. Create the Batter:
   Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the food processor, alternating with the whole milk. Continue blending until the batter is smooth, homogenous, and slightly fluid. Be sure not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.

5. Prepare the Apples:
   Wash the Fuji apples thoroughly and pat them dry with a towel. Slice the apples in half, remove the core, and then cut each half into quarters. Using a mandoline slicer (or a sharp knife), slice each apple quarter into thin, even slices. The thinner the slices, the better they will cook and create the signature “rays” effect in the cake.

6. Grease the Cake Pan:
   Lightly butter and flour a 24 cm (9.5-inch) round cake pan. This will ensure that the cake comes out easily after baking.

7. Assemble the Cake:
   Pour the prepared batter into the greased cake pan. Begin by placing 4 apple slices at the four “cardinal points” of the pan—north, south, east, and west. Gently press the slices down into the batter so that they sink slightly. Next, continue arranging the remaining apple slices around the edges of the cake in a circular, radiating pattern, almost like the rays of the sun. For the center, you can create a rosette pattern, arranging the slices in a concentric circle to form a beautiful, flower-like design.

8. Add the Finishing Touch:
   Sprinkle the top of the cake with raw cane sugar. This will create a slight caramelization on the surface while baking, adding a touch of sweetness and crunch.

9. Bake the Cake:
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) in a static (conventional) setting. Place the cake on the lowest rack of the oven and bake for 50 minutes. The cake should be golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when the cake is done.

10. Cool and Serve:
    Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for a few minutes. Carefully turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once it’s slightly warm or at room temperature, serve your Radiant Apple Cake. For an extra indulgence, serve it with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream!

Enjoy the delicate sweetness and apple flavor in every bite of this beautiful, radiating apple cake, perfect for any occasion.