Moist German Apple Cake Recipe

This moist and dense German Apple Cake recipe is a family favorite. It has delicious apples and a soft and spiced cake. It’s a perfect dessert for fall or any occasion.

What is German Apfelkuchen?

German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen) is a traditional German dessert that’s simple and delicious. It’s made with fresh apples and a delicious soft cake. It’s moist, lightly spiced with cinnamon and topped with powdered sugar.

This cake is a favorite recipe in Germany because it’s very easy to make and has very comforting flavors. It’s perfect for a cozy afternoon or for a family gathering.

It’s great all year but it’s even better in the fall when apples are in season. If you love the sweet, warm flavors of apple and cinnamon, this cake is definitely a must try!

Why I Love This Recipe

This German Apple Cake is simple and very comforting! It’s very easy to make with just basic ingredients, that propably you anlready have in your kitchen. And the apples make it so moist and delicious.

The cake is soft and perfect. You can serve it warm with whipped cream or at room temperature with tea. It’s always a hit.

It’s great for dessert, birthdays, or any time you want a dessert. Once you make it, you willl want to bake it again and again!

Key Ingredients & Substitutions for German Apple Cake

Apples: Choose firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They keep their shape when baking and add just the right amount of tartness. Fuji or Gala apples work good too, but they make the cake a bit sweeter.

Vegetable Oil: This keeps the cake moist and light. If you want a richer flavor you can also swap it for melted butter.

Eggs: They hold everything together and give the cake the structure.

White Sugar: Sweetens the cake and balances the tart apples. If you like a deeper flavor, you can mix in a little brown sugar. It adds a hint of caramel.

Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla adds that subtle sweetness we all love. try using vanilla bean paste for even more flavor.

All-Purpose Flour: Be sure to measure it properly. For a softer crumb, you can use cake flour instead.

Ground Cinnamon: Brings a warm spiced flavor. Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice if you want more flavor.

Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and keeps it nice and fluffy. Make sure your baking soda is fresh—it loses its oomph if it’s been sitting in the pantry too long!

Salt: Don’t skip this tiny but mighty ingredient—it enhances all the flavors in the cake and ties them together.

Tools You’ll Need

Mixing Bowl: To combine the ingredients.

Electric Mixer: Helps mix the batter smoothly.

Wooden Spoon: For stirring the ingredients together.

9×13-inch baking pan or 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan. For baking the cake.

Wire Rack: For cooling the cake after baking.

Step-by-Step Instructions for German Apple Cake

Prepare the batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×13-inch cake pan. In a large mixing bowl mix together vegetable oil, eggs, sugar and vanilla extract until it’s smooth. In another bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.

Combine ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until smooth.

Bake the cake: Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan or a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan. If using a springform pan, the cake may need 5–10 extra minutes of baking time. Top it with apples. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool on a wire rack before serving.

Serve: when it’s cooled, dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar. Serve it at room temperature or slightly warm with a cup of tea or coffee!