This German apple cake is everything you want in a fall apple dessert -subtle yet sweet flavors, an all around delicious cake that is perfect for apple season.
All hail the glorious apple season, right? Apples are in abundance this time of year and this is THE cake to make with them.
My parents are both German and my family grew up eating European desserts, cakes like this, for example. European desserts are sweet, but not overly sweet and have a beautiful balance of flavors – like a vanilla cake with lemon zest topped with tart apples.
[Tag me on Instagram “This German apple cake from @philiakelnhofer is perfect for #fall and #appleseason”]
Whenever the weather starts getting colder I find myself craving desserts like this. It reminds me of home and my mothers’ baking. It also reminds me of something my family used to do on Sundays called Kaffee und Kuchen (translated to coffee and cake).
Kaffee und Kuchen is traditionally a short break for a family or social gathering around a piece of cake with an accompanying cup of coffee or tea. It happens in the afternoons between 3-5 pm and usually on Sundays. After recalling this tradition, I’m really questioning why I haven’t carried this tradition on with my husband…I mean, would anyone object to coffee and cake in the afternoons? Not anyone I know, that’s for sure haha!
This German apple cake would be the perfect cake to restart coffee and cake break the tradition with, or to make for any celebration!
If you’re looking for other amazing apple recipes, I’d recommend this upside down pear and apple loaf or this apple butter made in a slow cooker!
Other recipes you might enjoy:
- Eggless Applesauce Muffins With Struesel Topping
- Healthy Apple Cider Donuts with a Tahini Maple Glaze
- 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Butter
German Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick butter, plus 1 teaspoon for greasing the pan, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 packet .32 oz vanilla sugar (I use Dr. Oetker brand, found in most grocery stores in the baking aisle - this one
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 lemon zested (1 tablespoon zest)
- 1/1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 4 apples peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350, line the bottom of a springform pan with parchment paper and grease edges and bottom with butter.
- In a medium bowl with a stand or hand mixer cream together the butter and sugar and vanilla sugar until smooth (2 minutes). Add in vanilla extract and eggs and beat again until combined.
- Zest lemon into the batter and slowly add the flour and baking powder and beat until combined. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Lay the sliced apples on top of the batter, bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with powdered sugar (I sift mine over the cake) and then serve.
Nutrition
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If you make this recipe, I’d love to know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram orFacebook with #sweetphiblog or email me at sweetphiblog@gmail.com, I always love featuring your pictures on my Reader Recreations page!
Asha says
Is there any substitute for vanilla sugar? If so, could you please tell me the quantity of those?
Sweetphi says
Hi there – I googled and found that “If you have commercially produced vanilla sugar, use only 1 teaspoon of vanilla sugar per teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using Vanilla Extract Instead of Vanilla Sugar: One teaspoon of vanilla extract is the equivalent of 1 1/2 teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar, or 1 teaspoon of commercially made vanilla sugar” Hopefully that helps
Asja says
In your recipe is days one packet. I don’t know how much quantity is there in that one packet. Could you please specify quantity in Oz or cup?
Asha says
Oh sorry it does specify.32 oz
VICTORIA HARRAH says
Oooohhh it’s Apple Season here in Cali (Southern Cali…mainly Julian, CA)..lol… This cake looks fantastic!
Sweetphi says
Thank you – I think you’ll love it!
laura says
What size pan should I use?
Sweetphi says
Hi Laura, I would use a standard 9 inch springform pan, or circular cake pan would work (those can be anywhere from 8-10 inches)
Winnie says
This cake looks absolutely DELICIOUS !!
My family loves all kind of apples desserts and I’m sure this cake would be a hit once I make it. Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
Sweetphi says
You’re so welcome, thank you for commenting. This dessert would definitely be perfect for your family who loves apple desserts 🙂
cindy says
I love the idea of kaffe and kuchen! I would love to implement something similar. I also love the idea of this cake, it sounds wonderful and it’s really lovely.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, I’m all about having coffee and cake in the afternoons, it sounds so fun doesn’t it?
cheri says
Hi Phi, I love apple cakes and this looks amazing, sounds like a wonderful tradition.
Sweetphi says
Apple cakes are so comforting in the fall, aren’t they? And thank you, I think the tradition of coffee and cake should totally be a ‘thing’ here in America 🙂
danicaliforniacooks says
This is so beautiful! I was convinced you had used some special baking pan at first.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Dani! This cake would also work in a regular cake pan or even a square baking dish, it’s just so good it should be enjoyed in whatever baking pan form 🙂
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I love the idea of coffee and cake on Sunday afternoons – sounds like such a wonderful tradition! And what a gorgeous cake to do it with, I need to make this!
Sweetphi says
Doesn’t coffee and cake on Sunday afternoons sound amazing? I loved that tradition and totally am going to be bringing it back, I don’t think anyone will mind, do you?
Little Cooking Tips says
Your German apple cake is GORGEOUS dear Phi! And since apples are in season again (and we already bought more than we can eat raw), this recipe is perfect for now!
Thank you for another delicious dessert and have fun travelling!:)
Lots of hugs,
Panos and Mirella
Sweetphi says
I really appreciate the compliment Panos and Mirella! I think you’ll find this is the perfect recipe for any leftover fresh apples!
Rita says
Going to have to make this Phi I know Al will love it
Sweetphi says
I think Al will definitely love this Rita, and I can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
This is such a beautiful cake! I have fond memories of German apple cake, as my friends Grandma (who is German) used to make this all the time and it was incredible.
Sweetphi says
Awe, thank you so much Dannii! This cake is such a traditional German favorite!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
A coffee and cake break sounds like exactly what we need in this day and age when it’s go go go. Speaking of cake, this german apple cake is a real showstopper!
Sweetphi says
A coffee and cake break should be mandatory, I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be anyone against that (or at least anyone I’d want to hang out with lol 🙂 )
Matea says
I’m at a loss as to why we don’t a have “Kaffee und Kuchen” tradition here, too! I may need to get my family started on it; I don’t want to miss out anymore 😉
This cake is beautiful! I love how simple it is; perfect for an afternoon snack (a.k.a. Kaffee und Kuchen *cough cough*)
Sweetphi says
I was at a total loss too – like why isn’t it a ‘thing’ anymore lol! Thank you so much for your comment, it totally brought a smile to my face!