Recipe: German Apple Cake

When in doubt, have cake!

September with all its harvest festivals is nearing. To me, that means cinnamon season. I can already smell the apple pies. Coziness is upon us and I welcome the crisper air and cool evenings.

As a traditional illustrator in the kidlitart space, I am always thinking a couple of months ahead to the Autumn, Halloween, Advent, Christmas and New Years vibes I want to convey on paper. Also, the industry requires it: for example, publication schedules have me illustrate Santa Claus stories in March. Right now, my priority is my annual squirrel Christmas card, and building my portfolio again after a bit of a hiatus.

But, time is tight. A simple recipe illustration will have to do for a start - and when in doubt, have German Apple Cake.

This recipe was adapted into English from EmmiKochtEinfach.de (—> Versunkener Apfelkuchen – Omas Rezept). Please use the original recipe in German for tips, tricks & hacks to ensure peak deliciousness.

INGREDIENTS

• 500 g tart apples (such as Boskoop, Jonagold, or Holsteiner Cox)

• 3 eggs, at room temperature

• 150 g butter, softened

• 150 g flour

• 150 g sugar

• 1 packet vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)

• 1 tsp baking powder (about 4 g)

• 2 tbsp milk

• 2 tbsp lemon juice (to toss apples)

• Butter and a little flour or semolina for greasing the pan

• Powdered sugar for dusting

DIRECTIONS

• Prep the oven and pan
  Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) with top/bottom heat, or 160°C (320°F) with fan/convection. Grease a 26 cm springform pan with butter and lightly dust with flour or semolina.

• Prepare the apples
  Peel, core, and quarter the apples. Make shallow slices along the curved side of each quarter, about 5 mm apart, without cutting all the way through. Toss the prepared apples in lemon juice to keep them from browning.

• Make the batter
  In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the sugar and vanilla sugar for about 2 minutes, until pale and creamy.
  Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to create a light, fluffy mixture.

• Add dry ingredients
  Mix the flour with the baking powder. Gently fold this into the butter mixture, adding the milk to loosen the batter. Stir only until combined — overmixing will make the cake dense.

• Assemble
  Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Arrange the apple quarters on top, cut side facing upward. Press them lightly into the batter — it’s fine if they touch the bottom.

• Bake
  Bake on the second rack from the bottom for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

• Finish and serve
  Allow the cake to cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Delicious with freshly whipped cream.

Guten Apetit!

Would you like me to keep sharing illustrated recipes like this one? Comment below or reply to this email — I read every note!