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German Dessert That Feels Cozy and Traditional - A Warm Apple Streusel Cake

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • For the cake:
  • 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup (135 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) milk, room temperature
  • For the apples:
  • 3 medium tart apples (like Granny Smith or Braeburn), peeled, cored, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • For the streusel:
  • 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (65 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 6 tbsp (85 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • To serve (optional): Lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Instructions
 

  • Prep the pan and oven: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan and line the base with parchment.
  • Season the apples: Toss sliced apples with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside to lightly macerate.
  • Make the streusel: In a bowl, combine flour, both sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until it forms clumps. Chill while you make the batter.
  • Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl.
  • Cream butter and sugar: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
  • Finish the batter: Mix in half the dry ingredients, then milk, then the rest of the dry ingredients. Stir just until smooth.
  • Assemble: Spread batter evenly in the pan. Fan the apple slices on top in an even layer. Sprinkle streusel generously over the apples, pressing some into larger crumbs.
  • Bake: Bake 40–50 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Cool and serve: Let cool in the pan 15 minutes, then release the ring. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or ice cream.