Apple Cake, also called Apple Kuchen, is a simple vanilla cake topped with thinly sliced apples and a cinnamon-sugar topping. It’s an elegant, easy dessert that makes a lovely presentation for holidays, potlucks, or any gathering.
I love apples — they’ve always been my favorite fruit. I’ll eat them any time, prepared any way. I adore a warm apple pie, though my pie crusts rarely look very neat. They taste wonderful, but I lack the patience for fancy crust work, so I usually skip pies for the holidays.
Instead I make cookies, bars, and sheet cakes — easy to slice and enjoy while watching a movie or the big game. Lately we’ve been enjoying classic holiday films for weeks: The Santa Clause trilogy, both versions of The Grinch, Home Alone, and The Polar Express.
Elegant desserts don’t have to be difficult. With a reliable recipe and good ingredients, you can create something impressive without a lot of effort. I like to use fresh, crisp apples and a light all-purpose flour for tender results. Even if you don’t sift, this cake comes together easily and bakes up perfectly.
Connect with Chocolate Chocolate and More!
Facebook | Twitter | Google+
Pinterest | Instagram
Apple Cake (Apple Kuchen)
Ingredients
- 4-5 medium Granny Smith apples
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Topping
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Alternating, add the flour mixture and the sour cream to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix just until each addition is incorporated; do not overmix.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (lining with parchment makes removal easier). Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples (about 16 slices per apple). Arrange the slices in a single layer across the top of the batter.
- Combine the topping sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the apple layer.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 30 minutes.
- For the glaze, stir together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the warm or cooled cake.
- Store leftover cake in the refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram
Want more apple treats?
Fried Apples
Quick Apple Crisp
Easy Apple Crostata
Caramel Apple Toffee Cookies
Vanilla Apple Muffins
Salted Caramel Apple Pie
Glazed Apple Fritters
I’m an ambassador for White Lily Flour and was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own; I wouldn’t share this recipe if I didn’t truly love it.