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Today, I am sharing my authentic German Apple cake with a streusel topping recipe with you. Picture a thick layer of apple slices on a thin yeast dough base topped with delicious buttery streusel/crumbles.
Trust me, once you have tried my German apple cake recipe, you will always want to make it.
The recipe I am sharing with you has been used by my late grandmother, my mother, and now by me, much to the delight of my family and friends.
This authentic German apple cake is big enough to feed a family of five for afternoon tea or dessert. I love to serve it with a generous amount of whipped cream and maybe even some ice cream.
Extra tip: any leftover cake can be kept in the freezer. Simply put the cake in suitable plastic bags. When you are ready, defrost the cake and reheat it in a hot oven for around 10 minutes. It will taste freshly baked.
This German apple cake is so delicious, that my daughter always wants it as her birthday cake for her birthday party.
My Best Tips Before You Get Started With The Authentic German Apple Cake With Streusel Topping
The combination of the yeast dough, topped with juicy sliced apples, plus the taste of the golden brown streusel on top is just amazing.
A word of caution: Because we are using yeast dough, it will take some time to prepare. It is mainly the waiting time for the dough to rise which will take around 1 1/2 hours
You may want to check my other German Recipes: German Bread Rolls without kneading, my easy and delicious German Potato Salad, or How To Make A German Meatloaf
Tip 1: you can prepare the dough a day in advance and leave it in the fridge overnight.
Tip 2: The same applies to the apples and streusel topping. Both can be prepared prior and left in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
Tip 3: If you like to try a different fruit instead of apples, you can also use plums, cherries, or gooseberries. It is equally delicious.
Tip 4: When you are using the yeast, only use lukewarm milk to dissolve the yeast.
Tip 5: Enjoy the cake while still warm with whipped cream (my favorite) and some vanilla ice cream on the side.
How To Make Our German Apple Streusel Cake
Let’s Make The Dough
First off, I like to dissolve the yeast in lukewarm milk, so the yeast can become active. It will take around 10 minutes until you can see foam on the surface of the milk.
While we are waiting, we put all the other ingredients like butter, sugar, salt, and flour into a large bowl.
Once the yeast is activated, add it to the bowl.
Start Kneading
Use your hands to combine all the ingredients and start kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. It should take around 3 to 5 minutes. Alternatively, you could also use a hand or stand mixer to knead the dough.
Let The Dough Rest
Once the dough is smooth and elastic, cover the bowl with cling wrap and a towel and put it in a warm place. After an hour to 90 minutes, the dough should have doubled in size.
While We Are Waiting For The Dough…
While we wait for the dough to proof, we have enough time to prepare the apples and the streusel topping. I am using Granny Smith apples because they are not too sweet. Cut them in slices and marinate with fresh lemon juice and sugar.
The Streusel Topping
The streusel topping is very simple yet so delicious. Simply combine flour, sugar, and butter in a small bowl. Done!
Time To Assemble The Cake
Spread the dough out with your fingertips onto a greased baking tray/baking sheet.
Add The Apples
Arrange the apple slices on the dough.
Add The Streusel Topping
Finally, add the streusel topping. Bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes at 180 Degrees Celsius/390 Fahrenheit.
We Just Add A Little Step While The Cake Is Baking
While the cake is in the oven, add some butter to a saucepan. We want the butter to get brown to develop a lovely flavor. After 15 minutes of baking time, take the cake out and drizzle the butter over the top. We also sprinkle over some cinnamon sugar.
Put the apple cake back in the oven and bake until the streusel topping is golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy
My family and I love to eat the apple streusel cake while it is still warm. We serve it with whipped cream and sometimes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is so good!
Our Delicious Apple Cake With A Streusel Topping – The Recipe
I hope you will love this authentic German apple cake recipe just as much as my family and I do. If you have a spare minute, please leave a comment and rating. Your feedback means the world to me.
Also, why not subscribe to my YouTube channel @SweetAsCooking so you never miss our newest videos?
But enough said, let’s put on your apron and get baking.
Authentic German Apple Cake With Streusel Topping
Equipment
Ingredients
For the dough
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp dry yeast
- 100 grams butter
Apples/ Streusel Topping
- 8 large apples, cut into slices e.g. Granny Smith
- lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 100 grams soft butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Extra Topping
- 5 tbsp granulated sugar mixed with 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 100 grams melted (slightly burned) butter
Instructions
The dough
- in a small saucepan warm up the milk (lukewarm)1 cup milk
- add the yeast and stir in the yeast; let the mixture sit for around 5 minutes until froth has formed on the surface1 tsp dry yeast
- while you are waiting, sieve the flour into a large bowl3 cups all purpose flour
- now add the butter, and the sugar, add the yeast/milk mixture to the other ingredients and mix with your hand until well combined; Note: you can also use an electric stand mixer1/2 cup granulated sugar, 100 grams butter
- knead until the dough forms a soft ball, around 5 minutes
- cover and put into a warm place to proof
- once it has doubled in size (1.5 hrs), the dough is ready
- grease the baking sheet pan with a little bit of butter, roll out the dough, and put it in the pan; Important: Let the dough rise in the pan for another 30 minutes before adding the apple slices
Apple Topping
- while the dough is rising, peel the apples, cut out the core, and cut the apples into thick slices8 large apples, cut into slices
- to prevent the apples from browning drizzle with lemon juicelemon juice from 1/2 lemon
- once the dough is on the baking sheet, arrange the apple slices on the dough in the baking sheet pan
Streusel Topping
- in a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and soft butter until they resemble crumbles (streusel)1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 100 grams soft butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- scatter the crumbles evenly on top of the apple slices until they are almost covered
Baking
- preheat the oven to 180 Degrees Celcius/ 350 Fahrenheit conventional setting
- bake for around 30 to 45 minutes (depends on your oven) or until the dough and the streusel are golden brown
Extra Topping
- once the cake is baked, drizzle with cinnamon sugar and butter. Put it back in the oven for another 5 minutes5 tbsp granulated sugar mixed with 1 tsp of cinnamon, 100 grams melted (slightly burned) butter
