Description
A simple, budget-friendly German Apple Cake made with pantry staples and in-season apples. This dessert features a chewy cake base, tender apple slices, and a crunchy cinnamon crumb topping, perfect for feeding a crowd without breaking the bank.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs apples (mix of 2 lbs Granny Smith and 1 lb Gala or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼ inch thick
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Toss sliced apples with lemon juice in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange apple slices in a single, overlapping layer on top of the batter.
- Pour remaining batter over the apples, spreading gently to fill gaps.
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, ½ cup flour, cinnamon, and cold cubed butter until coarse crumbs form.
- Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over the cake.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is set. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.
- Cool in pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Apples will sink into the batter; this is normal. Pour batter gently to avoid air pockets. Do not skip the resting time as it helps the structure set and topping crisp. Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days. Do not freeze as apples become watery upon thawing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Oktoberfest, German Apple Cake, budget-friendly dessert, family dessert, apple cake, easy dessert, fall baking, crumb topping