German apple cake (versunkener apfelkuchen) is so incredibly delicious. A fancy looking cake that is so easy to make. Perfect for tea time or parties. This never fail authentic recipe is sure to impress! You can make this traditional cake in vegan, gluten free and healthier versions also (see note below).
Grease a 9-inch springform pan with butter and dust with some flour. Line the bottom of cake pan with parchment paper.
Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter at high speed. Then add sugar, vanilla sugar or extract, lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat until the mixture is fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, continuing to beat the mixture until light and fluffy.
Combine all purpose flour and baking powder and sift into a bowl. Add half the flour, then 1 tablespoon milk, remaining flour and 1 tablespoon milk into the mixer, running it at low speed.Tip: Use just enough milk to give the batter a slow dropping consistency.
Transfer cake batter into the springform pan and level it off.
Rinse apples and wipe dry. Then peel, quarter and core them. Using a paring knife, make several parallel slits on the peeled side of apples.Tip: This step should be done carefully. Make sure the cuts are deep, but not all the way to the center core. Otherwise the slice may separate from the entire quarter.
Arrange apple quarters on cake batter, peeled side up, in a flower like pattern, starting from outside and working inwards. Do not press it down.
Brush melted butter over apples. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Strain apricot jam through a sieve and take it in a small sauce pan. Add 1 tablespoon of water, boil and reduce it to honey like consistency.
Release the springform pan ring. Brush apricot syrup over the hot cake and let it cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream.
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Notes
Choose small, sweet and juicy apples like gala or fuji.
To make your own cake flour for this recipe, use 1½ cups all purpose flour plus 3 tablespoons corn starch.
Whipped Cream: Sweeten ½ cup heavy cream with ½ tablespoon powdered sugar and flavor with vanilla or rose water. Then whisk it until stiff peak stage.
Healthier Version: Use ¼ cup + 1½ tablespoons light olive oil and ¼ cup + 1½ tablespoons honey. And 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour + ⅔ cup cake flour. Use organic apples and don’t peel them (image below). Try to use grass fed butter. Bake the cake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nutrition Facts - Healthier Version
Calories 268, Total Fat 11 g (Saturated Fat 3 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat 7 g), Cholesterol 70 mg, Sodium 155 mg, Potassium 161 mg, Phosphorus 109 mg, Total Carbohydrate 38 g, Dietary Fiber 3.2 g, Sugars 18 g, Protein 5 g