German Sunken Apple Cake Recipe (Versunkener Apfelkuchen)
German Sunken Apple Cake (Versunkener Apfelkuchen) is a traditional German dessert with tender apples that sink into a soft, buttery cake as it bakes. Lightly spiced with vanilla and lemon, it's a simple yet delicious treat for any time of the year. Yum!
Servings: 12
Calories: 235kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 180 grams butter (1 stick + 4 tablespoons), unsalted & softened, plus more for greasing
- 160 grams powdered sugar (5.65 ounces or 1 cup), plus more for sprinkling
- 120 grams flour (4.20 ounces or 3/4 cup), plus more for dusting
- 60 grams corn starch (2.10 ounces or 1/4 cup)
- 4 grams baking powder (1 teaspoon)
- 3 medium eggs
- 50 ml milk (5 tablespoons)
- 4 or 5 pieces red apples
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Prepare a 9-inch cake pan by greasing it with butter and dusting it lightly with flour, then set aside.
- Strain the flour, baking powder, corn starch and salt.
- Combine powdered sugar and softened butter in a separate bowl until creamy.
- Add eggs and mix, then pour the milk and combine.
- Add the vanilla extract and the strained dry ingredients from earlier, then mix evenly.
- Transfer your German apple cake batter to the prepared cake pan.
- Peel, cut into halves, and core the apples. Then, make incisions on the curved side (careful not to slice them entirely).
- Arrange the apples on top of the batter, keeping even space in between.
- Place your cake pan in the lower part of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar --- enjoy!
Notes
- Cook's Tip #1: This German apple cake recipe will work for a 23-cm or 24-cm cake pan.
- Cook's Tip #2: There is no need to push the apples into the batter; they will automatically sink when the cake rises during baking.
- See the post for more tips and recipe variations.
Nutrition
Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 442IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg