German Versunkener Apfelkuchen (Sunken Apple Cake)

Ingredients

• 3 apples (Peeled, halved, cored, and scored without cutting all the way through; quarter if needed to fit the tin. Cosmic Crisp apples were used in the source.)
• 1 lemon juice (Juice of 1 lemon; toss with the prepared apples.)
• 120 g butter (Softened)
• 120 g caster sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 200 g flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• salt (A pinch)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease or line a 20 cm cake tin.

2. 2

   Peel the apples, halve them, and remove the cores. Score the rounded side of each half with several shallow cuts, taking care not to slice all the way through. Quarter the halves if necessary so they fit the cake tin, then place the prepared apples in a bowl.

3. 3

   Add the lemon juice to the apples and toss gently so the cut surfaces are coated and do not discolor.

4. 4

   Place the softened butter and caster sugar in a mixing bowl. Cream them together until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy.

5. 5

   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so it is incorporated before adding the next egg.

6. 6

   Add the vanilla essence and beat briefly to combine.

7. 7

   Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold them through the butter mixture just until no dry streaks remain; do not overmix.

8. 8

   Spread the batter evenly into the prepared cake tin, smoothing the surface with a spatula.

9. 9

   Arrange the lemon-coated apples on top of the batter, scored sides facing upward. Do not press them down; the cake will rise around the apples as it bakes.

10. 10

    Bake for about 40 minutes, until the cake is golden and a skewer inserted into the cake portion comes out clean. Allow it to cool before serving.

Notes

The source describes the cake as soft, buttery, lightly sweet, and centered on the flavor of the apples. Use a 20 cm cake tin as specified.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cake
• German baking
• apple cake
• baked
• vegetarian
• family recipe
• autumn baking