German Apple Pie

Our german apple pie is a delicious twist on the traditional apple pie. This pie recipe has a light sponge with the burst of sweet apples. And the buttery, crunchy topping makes it truly unforgettable.

This recipe is specifically for times when you want to experience the warm, comforting scent of freshly baked pie, but you lack time to cook for several hours. This german apple pie has both flavor and texture, made with basic ingredients that people usually keep in their homes.

Scroll down if you prefer to watch the full step by step recipe video...

The apple filling sits inside the airy sponge while the buttery topping provides a delicate, crunchy texture. This pie demonstrates that impressive desserts can be made in a fast and simple way, making it perfect for unexpected visitors, family celebrations, and casual afternoon tea parties.

No doubt, your kitchen will smell absolutely delicious, and once you get the taste of the German apple pie, you can’t go back!

Ingredients’ Breakdown

For Sponge Batter

Eggs: Eggs in cakes work as a binder and a leavening agent. It helps in making the cake sponge soft, airy, and moist.
Sugar: Sugar is a key ingredient for making the sponge sweet and irresistible. It also caramelizes slightly during baking, adding flavor and color.
Butter: Butter gives the sponge a buttery, rich flavor. It also helps with cooking the sponge evenly. We are using melted butter for better mixing throughout the batter.
Milk: Milk helps with the consistency of the batter and adds moisture as well.
All-purpose flour: Flour provides structure for the sponge. We highly recommend using good-quality flour for the best result.
Baking powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent and makes the sponge light and airy.
Apples: We are using fresh Red apples, sliced, for the juicy filling. Apples add natural sweetness, moisture, and flavor, perfectly complementing the soft sponge. You can use Granny Smith apples as well.

For Streusel & Apple Topping

Sugar: Sugar in the filling not just tenderizes the apples but also helps them caramelise when baked.
Flour: Flour will help hold the structure for the filling.
Cold butter: Cold butter over the filling slowly melts and makes the top of the pie golden and slightly crisp. Just make sure to cut cold butter into small pieces to spread out.

Instructions

We highly recommend reading the recipe’s instructions thoroughly before starting. Make sure you have all of the ingredients measured out for every step in advance to make the recipe easier.

See the full preparation in the recipe card below with the complete instructions on how to prepare your kitchen and the ingredients, and then make this delicious german apple pie.

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Rest Time 10 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: European

Courses: Dessert

Difficulty: Advanced

Cooking Temp: 350 F

Servings: 9

Calories: 238

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Looking for a fast, soft, and airy dessert that everyone will love? This apple pie is the perfect solution! With simple ingredients, a tender sponge base, and a flavorful apple filling, this recipe turns everyday kitchen staples into a dessert that’s both comforting and impressive. Ideal for busy days.

Ingredient

For Sponge Batter

4 Eggs
180 g Sugar
100 g Melted Butter
200 ml Milk
370 g All-purpose Flour
10 g Baking Powder
2 Apples (sliced or cut in chunks)

For Streusel & Apple Topping

60 g Sugar
60 g Flour
45 g Cold Butter (cut into small pieces)
Powdered Sugar for Dusting (Optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Cake

1
Crack 4 eggs into a mixing bowl.
2
Add 180 g sugar Pour 100 g melted butter and 200 ml fresh milk. gently whisk 2–3 minutes until creamy and pale yellow.
3
Sift together 370 g flour and 10 g baking soda,then fold gently into the wet mixture.
4
Take 2 fresh red apples. Cut into even slices or small chunks.
5
Save about 1/3 cup of apple chunks for topping and add rest of them into the batter.
6
Line an 18 × 18 cm tray with parchment paper.
7
Grease the sides with butter or oil.
8
Pour the batter slowly into the tray and spread evenly.

For Streusel & Apple Topping

9
Blend 60 g sugar and 60 g flour to make crumbly streusel.
10
Sprinkle streusel evenly on top of the batter.
11
Arrange the remaining apple chunks on top, either randomly or in a pattern.
12
Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C.
13
Bake the pie for 28–33 minutes.
14
Test with a toothpick in the cake batter, avoid apples.
15
Let cool slightly, remove parchment paper, slice, and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 9

Amount Per Serving
Calories 238kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g19%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 50mg17%
Sodium 75mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Sugars 18g
Protein 5.5g11%

Calcium 60 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Pro Tips

Use room-temperature eggs and milk for a smoother, more stable batter.
Whisk gently, not aggressively — over-mixing can make the cake dense.
Always sift flour and baking powder to keep the cake light and airy.
Cut apples evenly and slowly so they bake soft and release flavor naturally.
If apples are very juicy, pat them dry before folding into the batter.
For extra crunch, keep the streusel butter cold before blending.
Spread batter evenly in the tray to ensure uniform baking.
Check doneness with a toothpick, avoiding apple pieces.
Let the cake cool slightly before slicing to maintain clean layers.
This cake tastes even better after resting for 30 minutes.

Substitutions and Variations

You can easily adapt this apple pie based on preference or theingredients you have on hand:

Fruit variations: Replace the apples with pears or peaches for a different fruity flavor.
Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the apple filling for extra warmth and aroma.
Nuts: Add chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds) to the filling for an extra crunch.
Sugar alternative: Use brown sugar instead of white sugar in the filling for a deeper, caramel-like taste.
Flour alternative: Swap some of the flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly nuttier, wholesome texture.

Keywords: German Apple pie, pie, apple pie, Apple, fruit pie, sweet pie, dessert pie

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Pair with vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert combo.
Enjoy with hot tea or coffee for a perfect tea-time treat.
Drizzle lightly with caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Add a spoonful of whipped cream for a soft, creamy contrast.
Serve chilled for a firmer texture and deeper flavor.
Perfect for family gatherings, brunch, or celebrations.

Storage

For longer storage, keep it refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Bring to room temperature or warm slightly before serving for the best taste.

Final Remarks

We always recommend checking out the entire recipe and making sure you have all the required equipment and ingredients before you start preparing it.

The quality of the ingredients we use is very important, so we've listed them above and linked them to where you can get them. The same applies to the equipment.

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