Versunken Apfelkuchen (German Apple Cake)

Ingredients

• 2-3 Gala apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into thin wedges
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 c sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 3/4 c unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 c milk
• powdered sugar, (for topping after the cake has cooled)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350F.

2. 2

   Toss the apple slices and lemon juice together...: Toss the apple slices and lemon juice together and set aside.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, beat together butter and...: In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar using an electric hand mixer, until pale and smooth. Add eggs and beat until fluffy.

4. 4

   Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix...: Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until well incorporated.

5. 5

   Slowly add the milk, mixing as you add,...: Slowly add the milk, mixing as you add, until the batter is smooth. (Your batter should be thick but pour-able.)

6. 6

   Pour the batter into a greased 10” spring...: Pour the batter into a greased 10” spring form pan*.

7. 7

   Nestle the apple slices into the batter, pushing...: Nestle the apple slices into the batter, pushing them into the batter lightly.

8. 8

   Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes, until a...: Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake (not into an apple) comes out clean.

9. 9

   Remove the cake from the oven and cool...: Remove the cake from the oven and cool for 15 minutes in the pan. Run a knife around the edges of the cake and remove the spring form edge. Let the cake continue to cool on a wire rack.

10. 10

    Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar immediately...: Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar immediately before serving.