This cake is a family favorite that I’ve been making since I was 16 when a friend shared her family’s recipe. Although I wouldn’t hesitate to bake it anytime of year, when the weather hits fall, it becomes a must-do. This is an easy-to-do cake, one even beginners shouldn’t be afraid to tackle.

a slice of German apple cake topped with cream cheese frosting.

German apple cake ingredients

Ingredients for the Cake

2 large eggs

1 C of salad oil

2 C sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 C flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)

4 C coarsely chopped apples (I’ve used granny apples but prefer others like red delicious/ Mcintosh etc that break down the juices better)

½ to 1 C coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (I never skimp on nuts)

Ingredients for the Frosting

8 ox cream cheese, softened (I like a lot of icing so usually use a few more ounces)

3 Tbs melted butter

1 tsp vanilla or rum flavoring (or more to taste)

½ C confectionary sugar (more or less to consistency you prefer for spreading)

Directions

Heat over to 350. Grease and flour either a 9×13 pan (which I use) or two 8×8 pans.

Beat the eggs and salad oil until frothy.

Add in all the rest of the ingredients except for the apples and nuts.

Add the apples and mix a bit to break down the pieces into the mix and then add the nuts.

Pour in pan/s and bake roughly 45-50 minutes (until toothpick comes clean).

Cool cake thoroughly before frosting. I keep the cake in the fridge because of the cream cheese frosting.

coarsely chopped apples and pecans.

baked German apple cake in 9×13 pan.

Karen Kuzsel is a writer-editor based in the Orlando area who specializes in the hospitality, entertainment, meetings & events industries.  She is an active member of ILEA and MPI and is now serving on the 2019 – 2020 MPI Global Advisory Board for The Meeting Professional Magazine for the fourth consecutive year. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Karen writes about food & wine, spas, destinations, venues, meetings & events. A career journalist, she has owned magazines, written for newspapers, trade publications, radio and TV. As her alter-ego, Natasha, The Psychic Lady, she is a featured entertainer for corporate and social events. Karen@KarenKuzsel.com; www.KarenKuzsel.com; www.ThePsychicLady.com; @karenkuzsel; @thepsychiclady. Food photos for this series by Karen Kuzsel.