Vegan German Apple cake recipe (Versunkener Apfelkuchen)

Vegan German Apple cake recipe | Versunkener Apfelkuchen | apple cinnamon cake recipe with step wise pictorial and video method.

WHAT IS VERSUNKENER APFELKUCHEN ?

You must have noticed these words in the title of the post. So this is mandatory to understand what does it mean.

Versunkener means Sunken
Apfel is Apple &
kuchen stands for Cake

So, Versunkener Apfelkuchen are the German words which means Sunken Apple Cake.

In the making of this cake, batter is raised above the apple slices placed in batter, thereby sunken the apples.

That is why this cake is also named as German Sunken Apple Cake.

HOW SUNKEN GERMAN APPLE CAKE IS DIFFERENT TO OTHER APPLE CAKES?

If talking about batter, you know everyone has his own way of preparing batter.

Choice of flour, with eggs or egg-less, dairy or vegan, these are all the criteria which are solely based on one’s own preference.

So here’s no question of any difference between German and other apple cakes. Be it German or not, batter is prepared by one’s own will.

Actually the basic difference lies only in the way apples are placed in the cake.

In other apple cake recipes, the apples are made only a part of batter. And if you can see the apples slices arranged over the top of cake, then it is apple upside down cake only.

Whereas in German apple cake, the apples are seen to be arranged over of top of cake but this is not done in a way apple upside down cake is made.

If you have ever tried any upside down cake, then you must be knowing that to make such cake, first fruit slices are arranged at the bottom of cake tin and then over the top, batter is dropped.

When the cake gets ready, it is to be flipped and only then fruit appears on the top.

But in traditional german apple cake recipe, first batter is poured in baking tin and thereafter apples (cut into quarters & then sliced) are arranged over the top. When cake gets baked, batter rises up and embed slices deep inside them, giving a sunken look to apples.

HOW TO SERVE THIS EASY GERMAN APPLE CAKE?

This cake is traditionally served after sprinkling powdered sugar over the cake and a big dollop of whipping cream.

But note that powdered sugar is sprinkled only when the cake is completely cool and immediately before serving.

DO’S AND DON’T’S

A. This cake asks for lots of apples but less batter. Apple slices has to sunk but remain visible at the same time. So don’t prepare much batter.

B. This cake uses both all purpose flour and whole wheat flour but you can skip the one you want. Add completely one flour.

C. Oil should be unflavored. Strong flavoured and smelled oils like mustard, peanut or the like are barred.

D. Apple puree should be made immediately before using otherwise it will turn dark.

E. After adding baking soda and powder in a batter and also after cutting apples, you can’t wait for a long. So be quick in finishing the process. If you have some help in the kitchen, divide the task so that cutting of apples & preparation of batter finishes together at the same time.

F. You can brush some warm jam, preferably apple jam, on the hot slices immediately after cake is baked. This will give a beautiful glaze to apple quarters, hence to the cake as a whole.

G. Don’t throw way the apple peels and cores. You can make a delicous jelly out of it. Click here for the recipe.

ALSO SEE OTHER APPLE RECIPES

For many more eggless and vegan cakes, click here.

STEP WISE PICTORIAL RECIPE OF VEGAN GERMAN APPLE CAKE RECIPE

Take a bowl and add oil, powdered sugar and water. Whisk to dissolve sugar completely.
Place a sieve over the bowl and add whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon powder and nutmeg powder.
Sift the ingredients into the bowl.
Add apple puree, vanilla essence and lemon juice.
Mix the mixture into a batter using cut and fold method.
Pour the batter in a cake tin lined with greased butter paper or parchment paper. Keep aside.
Take 3 to 4 apples, peel their skin and cut into quarters.
Remove the core and seeds and mark cuts on the wider side of apple quarter. But note that quarters should remain intact from the other end.
Arrange these apple quarters over the batter having sliced side upwards.
Bake the cake in a preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes @ 180°C in the middle rack with both the rods on.
Insert the toothpick and if it comes out clean it’s a sign that cake is baked properly.
Let the cake cool completely.
Vegan German apple cake is ready.
Serve after dusting with powdered sugar.

Enjoy.

NOTES

Apple puree is made by grinding the apples. If finding difficulty in making puree, add a bit of water. However no issues if there remains few chunks of apples.

VEGAN GERMAN APPLE CAKE RECIPE – RECIPE CARD