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Easy Classic German Apple Streusel Cake Recipe

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This Classic German Apple Streusel Cake (Apfelkuchen) features a tender cake base filled with tart apples and topped with a buttery, crunchy streusel. It’s a simple yet impressive dessert perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup milk, room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 medium tart apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Let them sit for about 10 minutes.
  3. Make the streusel topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Refrigerate while you make the batter.
  4. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened ½ cup of unsalted butter and ¾ cup of granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  6. Combine the dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Add this to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk. Mix on low speed until just combined.
  7. Fold in the apples: Drain any excess liquid from the apples. Gently fold the apple slices into the batter using a spatula.
  8. Assemble the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the chilled streusel topping over the batter, covering it completely. Do not press the streusel into the batter.
  9. Bake for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the streusel is golden brown.
  10. Cool completely: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Don’t skip draining the apples to prevent a soggy cake. Keep streusel ingredients cold for best texture. Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth batter. Check for doneness early to avoid overbaking. Let the cake cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition

Keywords: German apple cake, streusel cake, apfelkuchen, apple dessert, easy cake recipe

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