Apfelkuchen (German Sunken Apple Cake)

Nov 7, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cakes cupcakes Vanilla: Extract Easy

Apfelkuchen is a simple German butter cake topped with scored apple quarters that sink into the batter as it bakes, leaving a golden top dimpled with tender fruit. A thin apricot glaze makes it shine, and it is a staple of Sunday Kaffee und Kuchen in autumn. Makes 12 servings in about 2 hr 10 min.

Prep 25 min

Cook 55 min

Cooling 50 min

Total 2 hr 10 min

Servings 12

Ingredients

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servings

1 ½ lb (700 g)tart baking apples, about 4 medium, such as Boskoop, Granny Smith or Braeburn
1 tbsp (15 ml)fresh lemon juice
⅔ cup (150 g)unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150 g)granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp (3 g)lemon zest, finely grated
1 tsp (5 ml)vanilla extract
3 (150 g)eggs, large, at room temperature
2 cups (250 g)all-purpose flour
2 tsp (8 g)baking powder, 2 teaspoons
1 pinchfine salt
¼ cup (60 ml)whole milk
3 tbsp (60 g)apricot jam
1 tbsp (15 ml)water

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Instructions

Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter the springform pan and line the base with parchment.
Peel, quarter and core the tart baking apples. With a small knife, cut several lengthwise slits into the rounded side of each quarter, about 1/4 inch (5 mm) deep and not all the way through, so they open like a fan. Toss with the fresh lemon juice.
Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, lemon zest and vanilla extract with a mixer until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
Whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder and fine salt together. Fold into the butter mixture in two additions, alternating with the whole milk, just until smooth. The batter will be thick.
Spread the batter evenly in the pan. Press the apple quarters, scored side up, lightly into the batter in a ring with a few in the center.
Bake until the cake is golden, the apples are tender when pierced, and a skewer pushed into the cake between the apples comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes.
While the cake bakes, warm the apricot jam and water in a small pan, stirring, until smooth and fluid, about 2 minutes; strain if lumpy.
Brush the hot cake with the apricot glaze. Cool in the pan 20 minutes, then release the side and cool at least 30 minutes more before slicing.

Tips

Use firm, tart apples that hold their shape; soft dessert apples turn mushy.
Press the apples in only lightly; they sink on their own as the cake rises around them.
The cake is best the day it is baked, ideally with a spoonful of whipped cream.
Good with filter coffee with whipped cream on the side.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make apfelkuchen (german sunken apple cake)?

Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 55 minutes of cooking, plus 50 minutes to rest. The recipe makes 12 servings.

How should I store apfelkuchen (german sunken apple cake)?

Keep loosely covered at room temperature up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to 4 days and bring back to room temperature before serving.

Can I make apfelkuchen (german sunken apple cake) ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Serve it with filter coffee with whipped cream on the side.

Variations

Orange-zest version: use 1 teaspoon (2 g) finely grated orange zest instead of the lemon zest and brush with orange marmalade in place of the apricot jam.
Cinnamon and almond: sprinkle the apples with 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground cinnamon mixed with 1 tablespoon (12 g) sugar and scatter 30 g (1/3 cup) sliced almonds over before baking; time unchanged.
Individual portions: bake in 12 lined muffin cups with one scored apple eighth pressed into each, 22 to 26 minutes.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

281 Calories / serving

11.9g Fat

40.7g Carbs

4.3g Protein

21.3g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~3372 cal · 143g fat · 488g carbs · 52g protein · 256g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.