German Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples ((about 1 1/2 lbs), peeled, cored and sliced)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce (to drizzle)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper then generously grease with baking spray or butter.

2. 2

   Add the sliced apples to a bowl then pour over the lemon juice and toss to combine. Set aside.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, add the butter and sugar. Beat on a medium - high speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).

4. 4

   To the mixing bowl, add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the vanilla and beat to completely combine. Scrape the mixing bowl thoroughly with a spatula.

5. 5

   In a separate bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

6. 6

   Whisk to combine.

7. 7

   Add a third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and fold in by hand. Add a third of the milk and fold in by hand.

8. 8

   Repeat until all of the flour mixture and all of the milk have been used up, mixing the cake batter until all the ingredients are completely combined.

9. 9

   Spread half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Arrange half of the apple slices on top. Dollop the remaining cake batter on top of the apples then gently spread it into an even layer taking care not to disturb the apple slices. Top with the remaining apple slices then sprinkle with the 3 tablespoons of sugar.

10. 10

    Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 70-80 minutes. If the apple slices are getting too brown, you may need to add a layer of foil after about 50 minutes of baking time. This cake took 75 minutes to bake in our oven. A toothpick inserted into the very middle of the cake should come out clean.

11. 11

    Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the edge and unclip the pan.

12. 12

    This cake is lovely eaten warm. Sprinkle over a little extra sugar, powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce to serve.