German Apple Cake

German Apple Cake

tastes just like my grandmother’s cooking

Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 15m
Cook Time: 40m
Total Time: 1h
Temp.: 320 °F
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
5.0 (15 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

For the cake

For the topping

Nutritional Information

339
calories
15g
fat
5,6g
protein
47,3g
carbohydrates
96mg
cholesterol
267mg
sodium
German Apple Cake

Recipe Description

This German Apple Cake tastes just like one my German grandmother, my Oma used to make when I was a child. We adored her baking and her ‘Apfelkuchen’ was always a treat! Sadly I don’t get to visit her so often anymore and now that she is older, she doesn’t bake as much as she used to. I love to make my own versions of her cakes as a tribute to her though.

Start this cake by making a typical cake batter – beat sugar and butter together, add eggs and beat well, sift in flour and mix in some milk. Make a sweet topping from demerara sugar and cinnamon that will caramelize as the cake cooks. Arrange apple wedges in a circular spiral shape and bake until golden brown. 

To make German Apple Cake, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for German Apple Cake

Recipe Features

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Heat the oven and prepare a pan

    5 min
    Step 1 - German Apple Cake

    Preheat the oven to 320 °F and line and lightly grease a 9 inch cake pan.

  2. 2

    Coat apple wedges in lemon juice

    2 min
    Step 2 - German Apple Cake

    In a medium sized bowl, toss the apple wedges in the lemon juice and set to one side.

  3. 3

    Cream the butter and sugar

    2 min
    Step 3 - German Apple Cake

    Beat the butter and sugar together in a separate large bowl, using an electric hand mixer.

  4. 4

    Add the eggs

    3 min
    Step 4 - German Apple Cake

    Once the mixture is pale and fluffy beat in the eggs until smooth.

  5. 5

    Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt

    3 min
    Step 5 - German Apple CakeStep 5 - German Apple Cake

    Using a sieve, sift in the flour, baking powder and salt and mix well until fully combined.

  6. 6

    Add the milk

    2 min
    Step 6 - German Apple CakeStep 6 - German Apple Cake

    Gradually pour in the milk, beating well after each addition until smooth.

  7. 7

    Transfer to the pan and decorate the top with apple wedges

    2 min
    Step 7 - German Apple CakeStep 7 - German Apple Cake

    Transfer the batter to the pan. Arrange the apple slices on the batter, flat-side down in a circular pattern.

  8. 8

    Make the topping

    1 min
    Step 8 - German Apple Cake

    Mix the demerara sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle the mixture over the apples and batter.

  9. 9

    Bake

    40 min
    Step 9 - German Apple Cake

    Bake in the oven for 40–45 minutes until the sugar and cinnamon topping has started to crystallize and is golden brown.

  10. 10

    Cool

    15 min
    Step 10 - German Apple Cake

    Allow to cool for 15 minutes in the tin before turning it out onto a wire rack.

  11. 11

    Serve

    Step 11 - German Apple Cake

    Serve huge slices with your favorite tea or coffee.

When I make German Apple Cake it transports me to my Oma’s kitchen! I adore it and I hope you do too. If you make this cake, please come back and leave a review telling me what you think!

About the author

Jelena Mardere

Jelena is an interior designer and young mom! As a busy working mom, her time is precious so she’s always looking for a quick and efficient way to get things done. Jelena is very creative, but has a strong practical side. She loves trying new things and travels a lot, especially around Europe. The kitchen is Jelena’s safe space, where she can let her creative side out and dedicate herself to her favorite hobby - cooking!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 (15 reviews)
Tina
February 24, 2025
Verified

Delicious. I made this German Apple Cake last weekend to celebrate my birthday and it reminded me of my grandma's kitchen. The smell of cinnamon and apples brought back such sweet memories. It's super simple to make and tastes just like a hug from Oma. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves cake.

Holly
September 20, 2024
Verified

Wow, this German Apple Cake is like a hug from my Oma! Got my kids helpinie, they loved it. Brings back sweet memories for sure

Walter Green
June 14, 2024
Verified

Fabulous taste experience

LuckyL
February 26, 2024
Verified

Yummy!

Lola
October 24, 2023
Verified

This German Apple Cake reminds me of my Oma's kitchen, filled with warm spices. It's simple to make, feels like home, and brings back sweet memories every time I bake it.

Isaac Meyer
July 5, 2023
Verified

Wow! I made this cake for my wife's birthday and it tasted just like my Oma's. It brought back so many memories! The kids loved it too! So easy to make, and and it turned out just perfect.

Ian
June 2, 2023
Verified

Man, this German Apple Cake brings back mad memories of my Oma's baking. It's super easy to whip up, and the caramelized sugar on top? Absolutely delish! Made it for the fam last weekend, and they couldn’t get enough. Totally a win!

Will
April 26, 2023
Verified

Simply delicious cake!

Tom
October 8, 2022
Verified

So easy, delightful!

Yvonne Smith
September 20, 2022
Verified

Simply delicious cake!

Paige
April 22, 2022
Verified

Superb flavor combo. This cake reminds me of my childhood, when my Oma would bake. It’s a lovely tribute to her. Thankful for the memories it brings.

Victor
September 25, 2020
Verified

I made this German Apple Cake for my kids last weekend, and they loved it! It reminded me of my Oma's baking when I was little. The caramelized topping is a game changer. It took me back to my childhood. Simple ingredients and so much flavor! My family can't get enough.

Ximena López
August 14, 2020
Verified

This cake reminded me of my childhood with my grandmother. Simple and delicious, my kids loved it.

Fiona Baker
March 12, 2020
Verified

Superb! This German Apple Cake took me back to my childhood, just like my Oma’s used to make. I made it for a gathering and everyone loved it. The caramelized topping was a hit! I’m so proud to honor my heritage with such a simple yet delicious recipe.

Athina
October 12, 2019
Verified

Amazing! Thank you! Approved!

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