Easy Vegan German Apple Cake
Everyone from New England knows that September and October are the months to go apple picking- sure, you can buy a small bag of apples at the store, but it’s far more traditional to go out to the orchard and fill a half-bushel with twenty or so pounds of apples. The result is endless snacks, crisps, pies, and cobblers, and an endless need for apple recipes. So here’s another one for the list! This German apple cake is made with a simple batter, and topped with apples. As the cake cooks, the batter rises to surround the apples, incorporating them into a sweet, light, cake of apple goodness.
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Vegan German Apple Cake- Too Good to Make Just Once!
Part of being a food blogger is eating a lot of the same foods, over and over again as you refine the recipe. I have had some version of this German apple cake every day, for breakfast, desserts, and the occasional snack for almost a week, and this cake is so delicious I’m not even tired of it yet. Maybe after a few more apple cakes- I’m still baking them so I’ll let you all know. One of the best things about this cake is it tastes as good the first day as it does the third- it’s a good one to have waiting on the counter for you.
Update- It’s a year later, and I’m still making this German Apple Cake. My most recent one didn’t even last a whole day before it was wolfed down by myself and my boyfriend, with a little help from roommates.
Looking for More Apple Recipes? Try one of these!
- Roasted Chestnut Crabapples and Kabocha Squash
- Vegan Scones with Raspberry Apple Compote
- Fennel and Apple Salad in Belgian Endive Cups
- Almond, Oat and Apple Cookies (Vegan)
- Easy 4-Ingredient Filo Maple Vegan Apple Tart
Making Vegan Apple Cake
I’m more of an apple crisp and crumble baker- making pastry for pies is a larger effort, and often more of a time commitment than I want to make (what with all the cooling of the dough, par-baking of crusts, etc.). This apple cake is much more simple than a pie- it’s sort of similar to the vegan any-fruit clafoutis I made earlier this year. A simple batter is beat up, and placed in the bottom of a baking pan. Choose smaller apples if possible- you’ll want 3-5 apples depending on their size. The apples are peeled, cored, quartered, and sliced down the length to create a fan-like look. When you’re doing this, don’t slice to the end, leave a small part intact to keep the quarter together. Place the quartered apples on the cake, as many as possible. You don’t need to press them in, as the batter underneath will rise to fit around the apples. When the cake is finished baking, remove it from the oven and allow to cool completely before dusting it with powdered sugar.
Vegan German Apple Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan unsalted butter or coconut oil
- ½ cup sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 TBSP. vegan milk
- 1 tsp. white vinegar
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 3-5 apples, smaller if possible
- Powdered sugar, to top cake
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9- or 10-inch round pan and set aside.
- Add the vegan butter and sugar into a mixer, and using the flat beater to cream the two together. Next add the apple sauce, vanilla extract, vegan milk, and white vinegar and mix until combined. It will likely be a little clumpy, but that’s fine. Add the flour, a half cup at a time, and the salt, baking powder and baking soda. Let the mixer continue to stir until the batter is smooth. Transfer the batter into your pre-greased pan, smooth it a little, and set aside.
- Peel the apples, quarter, and core. Slice thin lines down the apples, leaving them uncut and connected at one side. Place the quartered apples on top of the batter, covering as much of the cake as possible.
- Place in the oven, for around 1 hour 10 minutes. After about 45 minutes you may want to put foil around the edges to stop them browning to much as the center cooks. After a toothpick from the center comes out clean, remove the cake and allow to cool. Dust the top with powdered sugar before serving.
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Let’s hear from you…
- Is apple picking a tradition in your family? What’s your favorite part?
- What are your favorite apple recipes?
- What do you think this German apple cake is perfect for? I’m on team breakfast, although I’ve put this in the dessert section…
Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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This is a beautiful recipe. I love the flavor profile.
Thanks so much Linda!
This apple cake looks beautiful! I’m dreaming for a secret slice!
Thanks Tania!
This apple cake looks delicious! Love how you kept all the apple slices together…wonderful presentation!
Thanks Lauren- I thought it was a neat way to make it look a little prettier.
We go apple picking every year. Nothing better than a juicy tart orchard apple! This cake is beautiful!
Thanks Jenn! Apple picking is my favorite fall tradition.
I’ve never had a german apple cake but it looks and sounds delicious. Loving all those apple slices on top.
Thanks Nicole!
Holy crap, I don’t know if I made this wrong or what but it tasted exactly like graham cracker to me. It was delicious.
We’re glad you liked it! The flavor does have a little bit of a Graham cracker flavor.
It was soooo good , the decoration also is beautiful. i baked it and every one in house loved it very much, Thank you for the delicious recipe .
Thanks Athena! I appreciate the feedback, and we’re so glad you all enjoyed it!
I’m not vegan, but have a vegan co-worker I try to be thoughtful for when making treats. Is there a substitute for the vegan milk as I don’t usually have that on hand?
What a great coworker! You can usually get away with just using water in a pinch!
I made this in a 9×9″ pan with 9 apple quarters (3 rows with alternating vertical and horizontal placement of the apples). Not only very pretty for a simple cake, but also DELICIOUS for a vegan vegan cake.
Has anyone tried to make cupcakes out of these? With a shorter baking time, would/should you parboil the apples? I used Granny Smiths.
Thanks Janet! Your cake sounds beautifuk! I have personally never tried these as cupcakes, but I love the idea. Let us know if you give it a shot! Personally, I think I might give my apples a little pre-cooking, but again I’ve never tried it.