French Apple Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons dark rum (optional)
• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thinly
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
6. Add the vanilla extract and rum (if using) and mix well.
7. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
8. Fold in the apple slices until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
9. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
10. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Dust the cake with powdered sugar before serving.

Enjoy your delicious French Apple Cake!