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A baked German Apple Kuchen tart sprinkled with powdered sugar sits on a wooden board, with walnuts and an apple in the background.
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German Apple Kuchen (Apfelkuchen)

German Apple Kuchen (Apfelkuchen) is a simple apple cake with a tender, buttery crumb, thinly sliced apples, and a cinnamon-sugar topping. This reader-loved recipe is easy to make and especially delicious with coffee or tea.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 322kcal
Author: Stephanie Wilson

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter softened to room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 baking apples peeled, cored, and sliced thinly

Topping

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts optional and to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease an 8-inch cake pan or tart pan with nonstick spray. For easier removal, line the bottom with a parchment circle.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and milk and beat until thoroughly combined.
  • Add the flour and baking powder and mix just until combined. The batter will be thick.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. Arrange the sliced apples in concentric circles over the top, pressing them gently into the batter.
  • Combine the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle as much of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the apples as desired. Top with chopped walnuts, if using.
  • Bake for about 45 minutes, or until lightly browned and a tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool for at least 15–20 minutes so the crumb can set. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

Notes

  1. Apples: Firm baking apples work especially well. Slice them thinly so they soften as the cake bakes.
  2. Topping: Use the cinnamon-sugar mixture to taste; you may not need all of it.
  3. Walnuts: Add up to ½ cup chopped walnuts over the apples before baking, or omit them entirely.
  4. Vanilla: For a slightly warmer flavor, you can add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the batter.
  5. Pan: Lining the bottom of the pan with parchment makes the kuchen easier to remove.
  6. Custard: Some traditional apple kuchen recipes include a custard layer, but this version is intentionally simple and cake-like, without one.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 159mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 443IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg