Description
A classic German apple cake featuring tender spiced cake studded with fresh apple slices, perfect for autumn or any cozy occasion. Moist, flavorful, and optionally nutty.
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Golden Delicious)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Peel, core, and slice apples into thin wedges. Sprinkle with lemon juice and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in apples and nuts if using.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
- Bake 45–55 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and top is golden brown.
- Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use apples that hold their shape, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerate up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Pair with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: German