Desserts > Pastry > Patisserie Française

Caramel-Apple Paris-Brest Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce

Special Equipment Needed:
- 9-inch round cake pan
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Whisk
- Small saucepan

Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
6. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
7. Add the milk and mix until combined.
8. Fold in the diced apples.
9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Meanwhile, make the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the caramel sauce over low heat, stirring constantly.
13. Once the cake is cool, spread the caramel sauce over the top.

Time:
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
Temperature: 350°F
Serving Size: 8-10

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 300
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 43g
Protein: 4g

Substitutions for Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: gluten-free all-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter: vegan butter
- Granulated sugar: coconut sugar
- Whole milk: almond milk

Variations:
- Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for a crunchy texture.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a decadent twist.
- Substitute the apples for pears or peaches.

Tips and Tricks:
- Make sure the butter is softened before adding it to the batter.
- Be sure to fold in the diced apples gently so they don’t get mashed.
- Let the cake cool completely before adding the caramel sauce.

Storage Instructions:
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions:
Reheat the cake in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.

Presentation Ideas:
- Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving.
- Serve with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

Garnishes:
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Chocolate shavings

Pairings:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Fresh fruit

Suggested Side Dishes:
- Roasted vegetables
- Green salad
- Roasted potatoes

Troubleshooting Advice:
- If the cake is too dry, add a few tablespoons of milk to the batter.
- If the cake is too wet, add a few tablespoons of flour to the batter.

Food Safety Advice:
- Keep the cake covered at all times to prevent contamination.
- Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours of baking.

Food History:
Paris-Brest is a classic French pastry that was created in the late 19th century to commemorate the Paris-Brest bicycle race. It is traditionally made with choux pastry and filled with a praline-flavored cream.

Flavor Profiles:
This Caramel-Apple Paris-Brest has a sweet and buttery flavor from the caramel sauce and apples, and a light and fluffy texture from the cake.

Serving Suggestions:
This Caramel-Apple Paris-Brest is best served warm with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

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Region: French

Taste: Sweet, Caramelized, Fruity, Nutty, Creamy