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4.80 from 24 votes

German Apple Cake Recipe (Apfelkuchen)

This German Apple Cake with Streusel Topping [Apfelkuchen mit Streusel] is one of my favorite traditional German desserts that I know you are going to love too!  The tender, juicy apple filling is topped with a sweet, crunchy streusel on a buttery shortbread crust.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: German
Servings: 16 servings
Author: Amy Nash

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup salted butter room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Apple Filling

  • 5 apples peeled and diced
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Streusel Topping

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cold salted butter cubed
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9x13" baking dish or spray with non-stick baking spray.
  • Mix flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, egg, and vanilla together in a large bowl using an electric mixer until combined.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup salted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pat the cake dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish using the back of a rubber spatula or your hands. Refrigerate until apple filling is ready.
  • In another large bowl, combine the apples, lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, cinnamon, and applesauce. Spoon apple filling in an even layer over the cake dough.
    5 apples, 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • In another large bowl, cut the butter into the flour and sugar using a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Squeeze handfuls of streusel topping together to create larger clumps, then sprinkle the streusel over the apple filling.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cold salted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • Bake for 45 minutes until lightly golden brown on top and the apples are soft.
  • Cool completely, then cut into squares and serve with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. I think this cake tastes best cold, straight from the fridge.

Notes

Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady are all good choices for apples to use in this German apple cake.
If using sweetened applesauce, omit the sugar in the apple filling layer.
Recipe only minimally adapted from Plated Cravings.

Nutrition

Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 584IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg

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