Soft German Apple Cake

Super fluffy and with a hint of cinnamon, this German apple cake is a perfect dessert for the Fall! It comprises a simple blend of ingredients that ensures the cake has the best texture and a wonderful flavor. Served with a dusting of icing sugar, it makes an excellent dessert or even a snacking cake in the afternoon with a cup of tea or coffee.

To make the German apple cake, you start by making a batter with butter, powdered sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and flour until combined, and place it in a square-shaped pan. Then, the batter gets topped with sliced apples before being covered with a mixture of eggs, sour cream, sugar, and cinnamon before being baked in the oven.

What is German Apple Cake?

German apple cake or apfelkuchen is a delicious cake that contains apples. However, not all German apple cakes are the same as each region or household tends to have its own version. For example, some might include a streusel topping or a yeast-based dough with a denser texture, whereas others might be a fluffier cake.

Pro Tips

• Any apple that holds up well during the baking process is perfect to use in this recipe. Granny smith, macintosh, golden delicious, pink lady, honeycrips, or cortlands are all excellent choices.
• When grating the lemon zest, make sure you only get the fragrant yellow part of the skin rather than the white pith which can be bitter.
• For a more heavily spiced apple cake, feel free to scale up the cinnamon and add some nutmeg, ginger, and cloves as well.
• If you don’t have sour cream on hand, you could easily replace it with yogurt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make German Apple Cake With Other Fruit?

Yes, you definitely could! This cake would work particularly well with sliced pears although you could also try it with sliced plums or peaches.

Can I Peel the Apples?

Yes, while the apple skins impart a beautiful color in the cake, you can feel free to peel them if you don’t enjoy the texture of the skins.

How to Store German Apple Cake

This apple cake can be stored on a covered platter at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days.

Can You Freeze German Apple Cake?

Yes, you can! All you have to do is wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil before placing it in the freezer. It should keep for up to 3 months.

How to Make German Apple Cake

Step 1

Step 1

For the batter, in a bowl, mix the eggs with the butter and powdered sugar until combined. Add the flour and lemon zest, and continue to mix until a smooth batter forms.

For the batter, in a bowl, mix the eggs with the butter and powdered sugar until combined. Add the flour and lemon zest, and continue to mix until a smooth batter forms.

Step 2

Step 2

Pour the batter in a square-shaped pan and top it with the sliced apples.

Pour the batter in a square-shaped pan and top it with the sliced apples.

Step 3

Step 3

For the top layer, in a bowl, mix the eggs with the sour cream, cinnamon, and sugar until combined. Pour it over the apple layer and bake in a 350 F (180 C) oven for 40 minutes.

For the top layer, in a bowl, mix the eggs with the sour cream, cinnamon, and sugar until combined. Pour it over the apple layer and bake in a 350 F (180 C) oven for 40 minutes.

Step 4

Step 4

Serve and enjoy!

Serve and enjoy!