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Oma's German Apple Cake (Versunkener Apfelkuchen)

This German apple cake (apfelkuchen) is a quick, easy, and elegant dessert. My go-to for unexpected guests and creating family memories.

Ingredients:

• 3 to 5 apples, depending on size
• ½ cup (114 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature 
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) lemon juice
• ½ - 1 teaspoon (3 - 5 milliliters) vanilla or almond extract
• 1¾ cup (228 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoon (6 grams) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 tablespoon (6 grams) powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Grease bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan.
3. Peel, quarter, and core the apples. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla until creamy.
5. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir the flour mixture into sugar mixture a little at a time, alternating with the milk.
6. Spread the cake batter in the prepared pan.
7. Cut thin slices into each apple quarter from the outer part toward the center several times without cutting all the way through. The apple slices will separate from each other while the cake bakes. Arrange sliced apple quarters on top of the batter (see photos above).
8. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
9. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Remove the cake from pan.
10. Put powdered sugar into a small sieve and gently tap to dust sugar evenly over the entire cake.

Notes/Hints:

• Extra apples? Make this buffet treat!
• Brush peeled apples with some lemon juice to keep them from turning brown before you're ready to use them.
• Add ½ to 1 teaspoon almond extract instead of or as well as the lemon juice.
• For a glossy finish, brush warm apricot jam over the apples right after baking
• Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, or both.
• Tastes amazing fresh out of the oven or the next day after the flavors meld
• Works great in a 9x12-inch foil pan for easy serving or gifting

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Recipe updated on May 11, 2025