German Apple Cake
Easy Homemade Traditional German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen) — A Healthy, Cozy Recipe
There’s nothing like a warm slice of German Apple Cake to make a kitchen feel like home. German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen) has been my go-to comfort dessert for chilly evenings, Sunday family meals, and holiday gatherings — it’s simple, honest, and filled with tender apples and warm cinnamon. This easy, traditional German Apple Cake is perfect for when you want something homemade that still feels special.
Serve it after a weeknight dinner with a cup of tea, as a centerpiece for brunch, or wrapped up for a holiday potluck. It’s one of those recipes that sparks memory and conversation — every bite tastes like a cozy afternoon with loved ones.
🧂 Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for vegan)
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan: 2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk (or plant milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional, brightens the flavor)
- 3 medium apples (about 4 cups / 600 g), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced — Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Gala
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (to toss apples and prevent browning)
- 2 tbsp sugar + 1/2 tsp cinnamon (to sprinkle on top)
Optional streusel topping:
- 1/2 cup (60 g) flour, 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, 1/4 cup (56 g) cold butter, 1/2 tsp cinnamon — rub together until crumbly
👩🍳 Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Toss sliced apples with 1 tbsp lemon juice in a bowl; set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and lemon zest. Stir in milk until combined.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined — don’t overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Arrange the apple slices evenly over the batter, slightly pressing them in.
- Sprinkle the top with the 2 tbsp sugar + 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or scatter the streusel).
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 25–30 minutes.)
- Cool in the pan on a rack for 15–20 minutes before removing the springform rim. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Total active time: ~25 minutes. Bake time: 40–50 minutes. Cool: 15–20 minutes.
💡 Tips & Variations:
- For a lighter, slightly healthier cake: substitute 1/3 cup applesauce for 1/3 cup butter and reduce sugar by 2 tbsp. Use whole wheat pastry flour for extra fiber (may make cake denser).
- Gluten-free: swap flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend; add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t contain it.
- Vegan: use 1/2 cup coconut oil or vegan butter, replace eggs with flax eggs (see ingredients), and use plant milk.
- Low-carb/ketogenic: try an almond flour base (about 2 cups almond flour), erythritol for sugar, and use 1–2 tart green apples sparingly — note texture and bake time will change.
- Add-ins: fold 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter or sprinkle on top for crunch. A handful of raisins or chopped dried cranberries also works.
- Serving ideas: serve warm with lightly whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra protein. Pair with coffee, black tea, or a dessert Riesling.
- Storage: keep leftovers covered at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days. Reheat slices in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave for 20–30 seconds.
- Freezing: wrap cooled slices tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.
🩺 Health & Lifestyle Tie-in:
Apples bring fiber, vitamin C, and natural sweetness to this cake, which lets you use less added sugar than other desserts. Swapping part of the butter for applesauce or using whole grain flours adds nutrients and lowers saturated fat. Choosing healthy swaps now — like more fruit, whole grains, and nuts — not only tastes great but can help support long-term heart and metabolic health. Eating well can also reduce future healthcare costs, which ties into broader financial and health planning (small choices today can add up to big savings later).
Conclusion
I hope this easy, traditional homemade German Apple Cake becomes one of your go-to recipes for cozy afternoons, family dinners, or holiday baking. If you make this recipe, let me know in the comments or tag me — I’d love to see your version and hear your twists. Happy baking and enjoy every warm, cinnamon-sweet bite!
#fblifestyle
German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Toss sliced apples with 1 tbsp lemon juice in a bowl; set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and lemon zest. Stir in milk until combined.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined — don’t overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Arrange the apple slices evenly over the batter, slightly pressing them in.
- Sprinkle the top with the 2 tbsp sugar + 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or scatter the streusel).
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 25–30 minutes.
- Cool in the pan on a rack for 15–20 minutes before removing the springform rim. Serve warm or at room temperature.
