Rustic yet indulgent, buttery yet light, whether you’re craving a cozy treat or a simple yet impressive dessert, this irresistible pastry is surprisingly easy to make in your own kitchen.

What is a Crinkle Cake?

A Crinkle Cake, known as Gâteau Froissé in French, is a delightful pastry loved for its irresistibly crispy, flaky layers. And I have to say it has become one of my new food obsessions! This is a unique dessert made using phyllo dough, which is crinkled and par-baked before being soaked in melted butter. A rich, velvety custard is then poured over the layers, and the cake is baked to golden perfection.

Sometimes referred to as “Crunch Cake” or “Phyllo Crinkle Cake”, this dessert has roots in Mediterranean cuisine, where phyllo-based treats like Pastilla or Baklava are widely enjoyed. With the major difference being where Baklava is soaked with syrup, us French soak our crinkle cake with butter!

An Apple Crinkle Cake, with vanilla-cinnamon infused custard

This Apple crinkle cake takes this classic treat to the next level by incorporating tender apple slices nestled between the delicate phyllo sheets. The luscious custard is infused with vanilla and cinnamon, and the cake is topped with chopped pecans for added crunch.

Interestingly, this apple crinkle cake also reminds me of a French Pastis Gascon, a recipe you can find in my cookbook. This is a traditional apple dessert from the Occitanie region in southern France, particularly popular in Gascony. Similar to crinkle cake, Pastis Gascon features thinly sliced apples – often macerated in Armagnac (a local brandy) – layered between sheets of phyllo brushed with butter.

The beauty of this apple crinkle cake lies in its simplicity. It delivers the same wonderful flavors as Pastis Gascon but with a much easier preparation. Thanks to the crinkled phyllo, it boasts an incredibly crispy and flaky texture, enhanced by the buttery custard filling.

Plus, I love its charmingly rustic appearance – no need for perfect layers! In fact, the more irregular and crinkled it looks, the better.

Ingredients you’ll need for an Apple Crinkle Cake

This crinkle cake is a quick and easy dessert recipe consisting of four components: crinkled phyllo, sliced apples, melted butter and a luscious custard. Here is a closer look at the ingredients you need.

1. Phyllo Dough – Typically sold frozen, phyllo needs proper thawing for the best texture. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring it to room temperature for at least one hour before using. This prevents the sheets from cracking when handled.
2. Apples – You’ll need two large apples, cored and thinly sliced. Peeling is optional, but be sure to wash and dry them well. You can slice them by hand or use a mandoline for extra precision. For the best results, choose firm apple varieties that hold their shape when baked, such as Honeycrisp or Pink Lady.
3. Butter – After par-baking the crinkled phyllo with the apples for 10 minutes, pour 2/3 cup (150g) of melted butter evenly over top. You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference.
4. Eggs – Two large eggs form the base of the custard, giving it a smooth, rich texture.
5. Sugar – The custard is lightly sweetened with ½ cup (100g) of sugar. Feel free to slightly adjust the sweetness, based on your tastes.
6. Heavy Cream & Milk – A combination of heavy cream and milk is added to the sugar and egg to create a luscious custard that soaks into the crispy phyllo, adding moisture and flavor.
7. Spices & Flavoring – Vanilla extract and cinnamon powder infuse the custard with warmth and depth, perfectly complementing the apples.
8. Nuts – Chopped pecans are sprinkled on top of the crinkle cake for added crunch. You can substitute for chopped walnuts if you prefer.

Step by step instructions for Crinkle Cake

1. Prepare the phyllo dough – Take half of the sheets of phyllo dough and fold them into an accordion shape.
2. Build the bottom layer – Neatly stack the folded phyllo sheets in the prepared baking dish.
3. Slice the Apples – Thinly slice the apples.
4. Insert apples – Tuck them between the folds of the phyllo.
5. Build the top layer – Stack the rest of the folded phyllo sheets on top of the apples. 
6. Par-bake and add Butter – Par-bake the cake, remove from the oven and evenly drizzle melted butter over the phyllo.
7. Par-bake and add custard – Par-bake the cake more, and evenly pour the custard over the partially baked phyllo.
8. Top with pecans – Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top and finish baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dish for this recipe?

This recipe is best for a 11.5” x 8.5” (29cm x 22cm) baking dish

Can I make Apple Crinkle Cake ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake it in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Simply reheat in the oven at 150°C (300°F) for 10 minutes to restore crispiness.

What apples work best for crinkle cake?

I recommend using firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady. These hold their shape well and balance the sweetness of the custard.

Can I use store-bought phyllo dough?

Absolutely! Store-bought phyllo sheets work perfectly. Just make sure to thaw them properly before using.

Can I add other nuts or spices?

Yes! Try swapping pecans for walnuts or almonds. You can also add nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth.

How should I store leftovers?

Keep any leftover Apple Crinkle Cake covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for a crispy texture, or enjoy it cold for a softer bite.

I hope you’ll enjoy this Apple Crinkle Cake recipe as much as I do! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. 

More French Apple recipes to try

• Apple Cinnamon Galette 
• Classic French Apple Cake 
• Invisible Apple Cake (Gâteau invisible aux pommes) 
• Classic Tarte Tatin 
• Normandy Apple Tarte (Tarte Normande) 
• Classic French Thin Apple Tart 
• Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
• Apple Breton Pound Cake

Apple Crinkle Cake

Print Recipe

Serves: 8-10 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cooking Time: 40 Minutes 40 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 3 voted )

Ingredients

16 sheets of phyllo, thawed
2 large apples
2/3 cup (150g) unsalted butter, melted (+ 1 tbsp for greasing the dish)
1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream, 35% m.f.
1/2 cup (120ml) milk (whole or 2%)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon powder
½ cup (100g) sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
50g pecans, chopped

Instructions

1. Grease a large baking dish (11.5” x 8.5”/ 29cm x 22cm) with 1 tablespoon of butter.
2. Place your phyllo sheets on a flat working surface. Stack up two sheets of phyllo together and fold them like an accordion. Carefully place into the prepared pan. If the ends are too long, simply fold them into the sides or bottom of the pan. We are working on the bottom layer of the cake here, so it doesn’t need to look perfect. Repeat three times, folding 3 more pairs of phyllo sheet together and placing them side by side in the dish. The whole bottom of the dish should be covered with the folded sheets.
3. Pre-heat your oven to 390°F (200°C) with a rack in the middle.
4. Cut apples in half or quarters, and slice them into very thin slices. No need to peel. Insert apple slices in rows between each phyllo fold.
5. Repeat the process for the top layer: stack up two sheets of phyllo together and fold them like an accordion. Carefully place them on top of the apples. Repeat three times, to fold 3 more pairs of phyllo sheets together and place them side by side to cover the whole dish.
6. Place dish in oven and bake for 10 minutes.
7. Quickly take dish out of the oven, and pour melted butter all over. Place back in the oven for 10 minutes.
8. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until frothy. Whisk in the heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon powder.
9. Quickly take dish out of the oven, and pour the custard all over. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and place back in the oven for 20 minutes, or until golden. If the cake top darkens too much closer to the finish, place a sheet of foil on top.
10. Transfer onto a cooling rack and let cool 5-10 minutes. Sliced in large squares and serve warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The post Apple Crinkle Cake (Gâteau Froissé) appeared first on Pardon Your French.