🍏 There are cakes you bake once and forget, and there are cakes that become part of your life. German Apple Cake belongs to the second category, with its comforting aroma, buttery crumb, and tender slices of baked apples nestled inside. From the very first bite, you are carried into the heart of a warm kitchen where time seems to slow down. The crust is golden and lightly crisp, giving way to layers of apples that melt gently on the tongue. Cinnamon sugar sprinkles its charm over the top, making each slice taste like a whisper of autumn. This cake is not about extravagance, but about simple, honest flavours crafted into something magical. It is the kind of recipe that turns Sunday afternoons into memories.
With a slice on your plate and coffee in your hand, you’ll find yourself savouring every moment. It’s the perfect dessert to bake when you want your home filled with the fragrance of apples and spices. Each piece offers a comforting contrast between the soft apples and buttery base. It feels rustic yet refined, casual yet celebratory. Whether you serve it for family gatherings, a brunch table, or a quiet evening treat, this cake adapts beautifully. Baking it is not complicated — in fact, it’s surprisingly easy. And yet, when placed on the table, it looks like a masterpiece. German Apple Cake proves that elegance doesn’t require perfection, only care. A dusting of cinnamon sugar is the final touch, sealing the deal. Take a bite, and you’ll understand why this cake has been cherished for generations.
⏱ Quick Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
Perfect for cosy afternoons or Sunday brunch — with layers of apples and a cinnamon-sugar crust that melts in your mouth! ✨
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🍏 Perfect balance of buttery cake and juicy apples
☕ Ideal pairing with coffee, tea, or mulled wine
✨ Easy enough for beginners, impressive enough for guests
🥮 A rustic yet elegant dessert with a timeless charm
🌿 Uses everyday ingredients found in any pantry
💛 Comforting flavours that bring warmth to every bite
🎉 Flexible for brunch, celebrations, or casual afternoons
📅 Nutrition Per Serving (entire recipe, 8 slices)
Calories: 295 kcal
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 39 g
Sugars: 21 g
Fibre: 3 g
Sodium: 120 mg
Cholesterol: 60 mg
👨🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-step)
Step 1: Prepare the batter base
Combine flour and baking powder. Add sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, butter, and eggs. Mix until smooth.
💡 Tip: Always sift the flour for an airy, lump-free texture.
Step 2: Grease the pan
Lightly butter and flour your springform pan.
💡 Secret: A thin layer of breadcrumbs instead of flour prevents sticking and adds crunch.
Step 3: Pour the base layer
Spread two-thirds of the batter into the pan evenly.
💡 Tip: Use a spatula dipped in warm water for smooth spreading.
Step 4: Slice the apples
Peel, core, quarter, and thinly slice the apples. Arrange in a ring pattern.
💡 Secret: Sprinkle a little lemon juice to keep them from browning.
Step 5: Add the top batter
Mix the remaining batter with milk, then pour gently over the apples.
💡 Tip: Use a spoon to spread softly without disturbing the apple layer.
Step 6: Add butter shavings
Grate frozen butter on top of the batter.
💡 Secret: Chilled butter creates delicate golden bubbles when baked.
Step 7: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar
Scatter evenly over the cake surface.
💡 Tip: Add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
Step 8: Bake to perfection
Bake for 40 minutes at 180°C / 356°F until golden brown.
💡 Secret: Place a heatproof bowl of water on the oven floor for extra moisture.
Step 9: Cool and set
Remove from the oven, let it rest in the tin for 10 minutes, then release.
💡 Tip: Use a knife along the edges before unclipping to prevent tearing.
Step 10: Slice & serve
Cut into wedges and enjoy with tea or coffee.
💡 Secret: Dust with icing sugar right before serving for a classic finish.
🛒 Ingredients
🥣 200 g flour (7 oz)
🥄 2 tsp baking powder
🍬 125 g sugar (4.4 oz)
🍯 1 packet vanilla sugar
🧂 1 pinch salt
🧈 125 g soft butter (4.4 oz)
🥚 3 eggs
🍏 4 apples
🥛 3 tbsp milk
🧈 30 g frozen butter, grated (1 oz)
🌿 1 tsp cinnamon sugar
🧊 Storage & Freshness Tips
🧊 Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days
❄️ Refrigerate for up to 5 days, covered well to prevent drying
🔥 Warm slices in the oven for a fresh-baked taste
📦 Freeze tightly wrapped slices for up to 3 months
🍋 Sprinkle a touch of lemon juice over apples if preparing in advance
🍽️ Kitchen Tools and 🛠️ Equipment Needed 🔪
🧁 Springform pan (26 cm)
🥣 Mixing bowls
🥄 Wooden spoon or spatula
⚖️ Kitchen scales
🥄 Measuring spoons
🔪 Sharp knife
🍴 Whisk or electric mixer
📅 Nutritional Benefits
🍏 Apples provide dietary fibre that supports digestion
💛 Butter delivers energy and richness in moderation
🥚 Eggs supply protein for structure and nourishment
🌾 Flour offers carbohydrates, the body’s main energy source
🍬 Cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar naturally
🥛 Milk contributes calcium for healthy bones
🧈 Small amounts of fat enhance flavour satisfaction
✨ Balanced proportions ensure no overpowering sweetness
🔥 Baking locks in nutrients while softening fibre for digestibility
☕ A wholesome treat when enjoyed mindfully
🌿 Health Benefits of the Ingredients
🍏 Apples are rich in antioxidants that support heart health
🥚 Eggs contribute choline, important for brain function
🌿 Cinnamon may have anti-inflammatory effects
🧈 Butter in moderation provides fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E
🥛 Milk aids muscle recovery with protein and calcium
🍬 Sugar, though limited, provides quick energy when balanced
🌾 Whole flour keeps you satiated longer with complex carbs
🍋 Lemon juice prevents oxidation and supports immunity
💛 Simple, natural ingredients support clean eating
🔥 Home baking avoids preservatives found in store-bought cakes
📅 Serving Suggestions
☕ Pair with freshly brewed coffee for a morning treat
🍵 Serve with spiced chai for a cosy evening ritual
🍨 Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for indulgence
🥛 Enjoy with a glass of warm milk before bedtime
🍷 Serve alongside mulled wine for festive gatherings
🍯 Drizzle with honey for a rustic touch
🍋 Add whipped cream with a hint of lemon zest
🌿 Garnish with mint leaves for freshness
🍓 Top with fresh berries for colour and flavour contrast
🎉 Present as a centrepiece dessert for Sunday brunch
💡 Top 20 Tips
💡 Always use tart apples (like Granny Smith) for a perfect sweet-tangy balance
💡 Slice apples evenly so they bake at the same speed
💡 Chill the butter before grating – it creates a beautiful crumbly crust
💡 Line the springform pan with parchment to avoid sticking
💡 Dust apples lightly with lemon juice to prevent browning
💡 Sift the flour and baking powder for extra fluffiness
💡 Don’t overmix the batter — it should stay light and airy
💡 For richer flavour, toast the cinnamon sugar before sprinkling
💡 Test doneness with a wooden skewer at 35 minutes
💡 Serve slightly warm for the most aromatic experience
💡 Pair with lightly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
💡 Add a dash of nutmeg with cinnamon for warmth
💡 Use room-temperature eggs for better emulsification
💡 Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even colour
💡 Sprinkle almond flakes on top for extra crunch
💡 Cool the cake in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing
💡 Store leftovers covered with a cloth — the crust stays crispier
💡 Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for elegance
💡 Add a spoonful of sour cream to the batter for extra moistness
💡 Use a serrated knife to cut clean slices without breaking apples
👨🍳 Professional Secrets
👨🍳 German bakers often use half brown sugar for a caramel-like depth
👨🍳 Vanilla sugar enhances aroma in a way extract cannot replicate
👨🍳 Grated frozen butter gives a streusel-like effect without effort
👨🍳 Apples should be slightly firm when baked — overripe ones collapse
👨🍳 A metal springform pan ensures even browning better than glass
👨🍳 Rest the batter for 5 minutes before pouring to stabilise gluten
👨🍳 Bake on the middle rack only — too low makes it soggy, too high burns
👨🍳 Cinnamon sugar forms a protective caramelised crust
👨🍳 If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes
👨🍳 Slice apples thin for elegance, thicker for rustic charm
👨🍳 Use a pastry brush to lightly butter the pan walls for easier release
👨🍳 Adding 1 tbsp of rum or brandy gives a festive note
👨🍳 A pinch of salt balances the sweetness beautifully
👨🍳 Mixing apple varieties (sweet and tart) creates complex flavour
👨🍳 Warm slices reheat best at 120°C, not in the microwave
👨🍳 Powdered sugar should only be added after full cooling
👨🍳 For a glossy finish, brush with warmed apricot jam before serving
👨🍳 Serve the cake one day later for even deeper apple infusion
👨🍳 Always measure flour by weight, not cups, for accuracy
👨🍳 German tradition pairs this cake with strong coffee — balance of bitter and sweet
🎨 Creative Variations to Try
🎨 Add sliced pears alongside apples for a dual-fruit version
🎨 Replace cinnamon sugar with cardamom and orange zest for a Nordic twist
🎨 Top with caramelised walnuts for a crunchy finish
🎨 Use spelt flour instead of wheat for a nuttier aroma
🎨 Bake mini versions in muffin tins for individual servings
❓ FAQ
❓ Can I use margarine instead of butter? → Yes, but butter gives a richer flavour 🧈
❓ What apples are best? → Tart varieties like Granny Smith or Boskoop 🍏
❓ Can I make it gluten-free? → Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix 🌾
❓ Do I need to peel the apples? → Recommended, but unpeeled works for rustic style ✨
❓ Can it be frozen? → Yes, wrap slices and freeze up to 3 months ❄️
❓ What’s the best drink pairing? → Strong black coffee or black tea ☕
❓ Can I prepare it ahead? → Yes, bake a day before and store at room temp 🌿
❓ How do I prevent soggy bottom? → Dust the apples lightly with flour before arranging 🍎
❓ Is it suitable for kids? → Absolutely, unless you add alcohol-based flavouring 🎂
❓ Can I double the recipe? → Yes, but bake in a larger rectangular tin and extend time ⏱️
This German Apple Cake is not just a dessert, it’s a piece of comfort baked into every slice. The tender apples melt into the soft dough, creating layers of warmth that remind you of Sunday afternoons. The cinnamon-sugar crust sparkles with a rustic charm, inviting everyone at the table to take just one more piece. With every bite, you taste both simplicity and tradition, wrapped into a recipe that has travelled across generations. It’s the kind of cake you imagine cooling on a wooden table by the window, while autumn leaves swirl outside. Even in spring or summer, it carries that same timeless magic. The balance of sweetness and tartness is what keeps it endlessly satisfying. It never feels heavy, yet it leaves you completely fulfilled. This is not just baking — it’s storytelling through flavour. A cake like this brings people closer together. You slice it, you share it, and suddenly a simple afternoon feels like a celebration. It’s perfect for family gatherings, lazy brunches, or a quiet coffee moment with a book.
The fragrance alone is worth the effort — apples, cinnamon, and butter weaving a spell in your kitchen. It’s a recipe that proves elegance doesn’t require complication. Even beginner bakers will find success here, while experienced ones will enjoy its subtle artistry. The crust, the softness, the apples — each part plays its role perfectly. And yet, no matter how many times you bake it, it never loses its charm. The cake ages gracefully too, its flavour deepening overnight. A slice the next day feels almost more indulgent than the first. It’s versatile — it pairs with coffee, tea, cream, or simply your own quiet smile. In a world of flashy desserts, this cake remains humble and unforgettable. It reminds us that true culinary treasures are often the simplest. That’s why this German Apple Cake belongs on your table, not just once, but again and again. Bake it once, and it becomes part of your home. Bake it twice, and it becomes tradition. Bake it always, and it becomes love itself.
