How to Make the Famous German Apple Cake

The German apple cake is a true crowd-pleaser—incredibly flavorful, aromatic, and comforting. We are sharing the recipe for this wonderful cake, which makes for the perfect dessert, especially on chilly days. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients for the German Apple Cake:

Filling:

• 3 Apples (peeled);
• 1 tablespoon sugar or sweetener;
• Juice of half a lemon;
• 2 tablespoons butter, heaping;
• 1 cup walnuts.

Batter:

• 3 eggs;
• 1/2 cup (approx. 130g) butter;
• 5 tablespoons sweetener or sugar;
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract;
• 1 cup oat flour;
• 1 pinch of salt;
• 1 teaspoon baking powder;
• Ground cinnamon to taste.

How to make the German Apple Cake:

1. First, select a springform cake pan;
2. Line it with parchment paper and grease the entire pan with butter;
3. Sprinkle some sugar over the butter to help it adhere;
4. Peel, core, and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces;
5. Distribute the apple pieces evenly across the bottom of the greased pan;
6. Drizzle the lemon juice over the apples;
7. Roughly chop the walnuts and scatter them over the apples; set aside;
8. In a bowl, lightly whisk the eggs and set aside;
9. In another bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract;
10. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy;
11. Add the eggs one by one, continuing to mix;
12. Add the salt and keep mixing;
13. Gradually fold in the sifted oat flour and the baking powder;
14. Beat for about 2 minutes until combined;
15. Sprinkle cinnamon over the apples in the pan and pour the batter over, spreading it evenly;
16. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 40 minutes;
17. Remove when golden brown or when a toothpick inserted comes out clean;
18. Let it cool before removing from the pan. Enjoy!

Pro Tip:

Choose baking-friendly apple varieties like Granny Smith, Gala, or Fuji. These are firmer and have a pleasant tartness, which helps maintain the perfect texture and flavor balance in your cake.

Did you know?

Apple cake is a beloved tradition in Germany, with recipes varying by region. A famous version is the “Versunkener Apfelkuchen”, or “sunken apple cake.” In this version, apple slices are placed on top of the batter and sink partially while baking, creating a beautiful visual effect. Often, these cakes are served with a light dusting of powdered sugar to finish.

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