German Apple Cake has chunks of fresh apple, lots of fall spices, crunchy pecans, and a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. This is one of the most delicious apple desserts you will ever taste so get ready for some fall baking!!
This is one of my favorite apple recipes along with Easy Apple Dumplings, Caramel Apple Quesadillas, and Apple Crisp Coffee Cake.
I know it’s not quite fall yet, but I’m ready for it to be here. This past week I helped both my kids get moved into their apartments for the school year. My daughter in Charleston and my son in Atlanta. And now I’m ready for the seasons to begin to change and the fall baking to commence. (Note: Originally published August 17, 2017.)
Apples, along with sweet potatoes and pumpkin are what fall baking is all about for me. I’ve never been a huge apple pie fan but I love apples in other types of desserts like Caramel Apple Pound Cake, Crockpot Butterscotch Apple Crisp, and Frisky Apple Fritters.
This German Apple Cake is everything you could want in a fall apple dessert. The cake batter, with lots of chunks of apple, cooks up super moist with just the right amount of spice flavoring. But undoubtedly the best part is the icing!!
Measure The Flour Correctly
When baking a cake, it is so important to measure the flour correctly or you risk having a dry cake. To measure, first fluff the flour up some in the bag or container. Flour tends to get packed down over time. Then use a large spoon to gently scoop it into a dry measuring cup. Overfill it slightly and use the back of a knife to run across the top and get rid of the excess.
Recipe Tip
This recipe would be equally delicious with walnuts instead of pecans.
★★★★★
OMG 🥰 My Mom always baked with spices, so this was right up my alley 😉 I inhaled my first piece 👌My husband says 5 🤩
Type of Apples To Use
I recommend using a tart apple like Granny Smith for this recipe. The cake itself is very sweet and a tart apple will help cut the sweetness a little.
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More Fall Desserts
- Butternut Spice Cake with Bourbon Glaze
- Southern Sweet Potato Pie
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Praline Torte
- Pumpkin Cake Roll
German Apple Cake
Equipment
- Electric Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups peeled and finely chopped tart apples, I use Granny Smith
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Frosting
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon half-and-half or milk
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until completely combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and stir to combine.
- Fold in apples and pecans. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.Let cool.
- Make frosting. Place cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract, half-and-half, and confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth.
- Spread on top of cake. Store leftovers in refrigerator.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
Hi! Recipe looks lovely; yet, this is not a “German” apple cake by any stretch of the imagination. Pecans don’t even grow here…lol. Most recipes here that are referred to as “German” are not, they’re US American.
If you would like a German apple cake recipe or authentic yummy German or Yiddish recipes would gladly share mine. There is never a piece left over of my afore mentioned apple cake.
All the best from across the big pond
My mom used to make to make an apple cake. We are of German descent. She never put nuts in hers & instead of frosting she dusted it with powdered sugar. It’s my husbands favorite cake. My mom passed away 9 years ago & I have yet to find her recipe.
I spent 3 weeks in Germany last summer and what a wonderful country you live in. I am aware that this cake is not like the ones made in Germany. It is however one that has been made by years in the states by people who immigrated from Germany. They combined there German cooking experience with American ingredients. Since it was a cake made by German immigrants that is where the name comes from. Sorry for the confusion.
Debbie,
I would love to have your recipe
laura
I would be happy to try yours thanks for sending
I had a good friend, Holocaust survivor, who gave me a German apple cake recipe. She has passed and I have lost the recipe in moving. Would appreciate having yours.
I am of German decent from both sides of my parents. My dad is 90 and loves authentic German food. Would you be so kind as to share your recipe, as I am visiting him in a month and want to make this for him and my mother. Thank you kindly.
I would like your German recipe for apple cake please.
Hi Caroline, I would love to have your recipe. Am going to an Octoberfest next weekend. Thank you – jujuhearts@yahoo.com.
Hi Caroline, I would love your recipe for your yummy German cake!
Lola
Please, please, may I have your recipe for German Apple Cake. My sister-in-law is German and I would love to surprise her with a delicious dessert of her liking.
Do you think I could use canned apples?
When the pantry and fridge are lean, I have a talent for creating amazing surprises for my family. This cake is divine! I was out of vanilla and used almond extract, also cut the sugar by 1/2 cup, always do. Made this in a Corning Ware oval casserole dish. It was a huge hit at a late night chili dinner and gifted one to a sick friend. I’m baking one now and my husband is thrilled. Thank you for sharing. Just awesomely delicious and good enough to fight over the last piece!
When the pantry and fridge are lean, I have a talent for creating amazing surprises for my family. This cake is divine! I was out of vanilla and used almond extract, also cut the sugar by 1/2 cup, always do. Made this in a Corning Ware oval casserole dish. It was a huge hit at a late night chili dinner and gifted one to a sick friend. I’m baking one now and my husband is thrilled. Thank you for sharing. Just awesomely delicious and good enough to fight over the last piece!
Instead of cream cheese frosting i made a glaze with 3/4c of brown sugar, 2Tabl. of half and half and 2Tabl. of butter brought to boil stirring constantly poured over hot cake,returned to oven for 2min.
Hahaha, so , i wonder how did ‘German chocolate cake’ get it’s name & where did it originate from made with tons of Pecans!?!?
This german apple cake sounds delicious! I will be toasting the nuts , adding raisins & variating the sugar.
Thank you! Melinda
I made the cake by the recipe for our Christmas dessert except I used 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar and 1/2 c. brown sugar and used small cubes of apple with skin on (golden delicious). It was very moist and flavorful but a bit on the sweet side, very delicious the next day. Will try cutting the sugar in half, maybe less oil but loved the amount of pecans. Between tiny cubes of apple and chopped pecans, moist cake with a variety of different chews.
I have a very old recipe similar to this cake from a German family I know that is named “Apfelkuchen”. Do love all the German omments, too but there really is a German apple cake!
All the Geman comments crack me up. Y’all need to stop being offended about cake, lol.
This cakes looks delicious, I want to make it for this Thanksgiving.. can I make it in a bundt cake pan?
I haven’t tried making it in a Budnt pan Nancy. If you try it let us nkow how it turns out.
I make it in a bundt pan all the time.
How long do you bake it for, in a bundt?
I’ve been making this for 30 years. I thinly slice the apples instead of chopping them and 2 eggs instead of 3. It is still moist and delicious! The cream cheese frosting is so delicious and rich with it, too. I have made just a glaze before and it is really good like this, too. Great cake!
Can I make it with one cup of sugar?
I haven’t tried it with just a cup of sugar, but if you like your cakes to be less sweet, it should be good.