German Apple Cake with Toffee Bits
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German Apple Cake is an old-fashioned dessert that makes your house smell wonderful while it bakes. This easy apple cake uses plenty of finely chopped apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and English toffee bits for little pockets of caramel-like sweetness throughout.
Looking for more apple recipes and fruit recipes? Be sure to browse the dessert category and Fresh Apple Cake, Amish Apple Bread, Apple Date Nut Bread, and game day favorites on Call Me Pmc for even more easy party food recipes.
German Apple Cake
And here’s my favorite part: you don’t have to frost it. It has a crusty top much like a pound cake. I made this cake intending to frost it. But it was delicious and sweet enough without frosting. If you prefer a
cake, I’ve included an optional
Why You’ll Love This German Apple Cake
There are plenty of apple cake recipes out there, but this one has a few things that make it especially good.
- It uses 4 cups of fresh apples. You get apple in every bite.
- The apples are finely chopped. This keeps the cake easy to slice and gives you apple throughout instead of large pieces.
- Toffee bits add extra sweetness and texture.
- It bakes in a 9×13-inch pan. No special cake pan is required.
- The frosting is optional. The cake is sweet enough to serve without it.
- It keeps well. Store it in an airtight container for several days.
This is a great cake for fall, but you certainly don’t have to wait for apple season to make it.
What Kind of Apples Are Best for German Apple Cake?
The best apples for baking are tart apples such as Granny Smith. The tartness works well with the sweetness of the cake and toffee bits.
You can also use other firm baking apples if that’s what you have. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, and Jonathan are all useful options for baking. Firm apples are especially helpful because they hold their texture better in the oven.
For this recipe, peel the apples and finely chop them rather than slicing them.
Do I Have to Frost German Apple Cake?
No! In fact, I didn’t frost mine.
The cake has 2 cups of sugar, 4 cups of apples, and English toffee bits, so there is plenty of sweetness without frosting. I like serving it plain for an easy dessert, snack, or afternoon coffee cake.
However, if you want a creamier finish, the optional
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list is straightforward.
For the cake:
- Large eggs
- Granulated sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon
- Nutmeg*
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Fresh apples
- English toffee bits
Freshly ground nutmeg can be strong; adjust this spice to your liking or omit it completely.
For the optional frosting:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Half-and-half or milk
- Powdered sugar
How to Make German Apple Cake
The full, printable recipe is at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the pan and oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cake release or cooking spray.
- Combine the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla until well combined. Using room-temperature eggs helps them blend easily with the other ingredients.
- Combine the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- Make the batter
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined.
Don’t overmix the batter. - Add the apples and toffee
Fold in the finely chopped apples and English toffee bits. The batter will be thick.
- Bake
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Bake at 350°F for 50 to 55 minutes.
Tips for Making This Apple Cake
Chop the apples finely. This is one of the most important details in the recipe. Finely chopped apples distribute throughout the batter and make the cake easier to cut.
Use room-temperature eggs. Room-temperature eggs mix more easily with the oil and sugar.
Don’t overmix. Once you add the flour, stir only until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tougher.
Check the center before removing it from the oven. Because this cake contains 4 cups of apples, the center needs enough time to bake completely. Start checking around 50 minutes, but don’t remove it until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let it cool before frosting. If you’re making
Can I Make German Apple Cake Without Frosting?
Absolutely. I served it with a dollop of whipped cream.
The cake is sweet, moist, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and has toffee bits throughout. It doesn’t need frosting to be a good dessert.
You can dust the cooled cake lightly with powdered sugar for a simple finish, or serve each piece with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Optional Cream Cheese Frosting
If you want to frost the cake, beat softened
Spread the frosting over the completely cooled cake.
Because the frosting contains
Can I Use a Different Apple?
Yes. Granny Smith is my first choice because the tart flavor balances the sweet cake, but other firm apples work well.
Try Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, or Jonathan.
Avoid apples that become very soft when baked if you want the apple pieces to retain some texture.
If you have an abundance of apples, you may want to make my Caramel Apple Cobbler, Mini Apple Pies, or Potluck Apple Cake.
Can I Leave Out the Toffee Bits?
Yes, although they are one of my favorite parts of this cake.
The recipe will still work without them. You’ll have a traditional apple-and-spice cake with plenty of fresh apple flavor.
If you leave them out, you could serve the cake with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream.
How Should I Store German Apple Cake?
If the cake is unfrosted, store it tightly covered or in an airtight container at room temperature for a short period.
If you’ve added the
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I Freeze Apple Cake?
Yes. For the best texture, freeze the cake without the
Allow the cake to cool completely, then wrap it well and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Thaw it in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then frost it after thawing if desired.
What to Serve with German Apple Cake
This cake is good on its own, but you can serve it in several easy ways.
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
- Caramel sauce
- Coffee
- Hot tea
- A glass of cold milk
German Apple Cake FAQs
German Apple Cake is a moist apple dessert made with fresh apples and warm spices. This version also includes English toffee bits, which add sweetness and texture.
Firm, tart apples such as Granny Smith are a great choice. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, and Jonathan apples can also work well.
No. This cake is sweet and moist enough to serve without frosting. Cream cheese frosting is completely optional.
Yes. Bake the cake, allow it to cool completely, then cover it tightly. If you’re adding cream cheese frosting, refrigerate the finished cake.
When stored properly, the cake can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
I don’t recommend it. This recipe was developed using fresh, finely chopped apples, and their texture and moisture are important to the finished cake.
Final Thoughts
This German Apple Cake is the kind of recipe I like to keep on hand during apple season. It’s easy to make, bakes in a simple 9×13-inch pan, and has plenty of apples in every slice.
And don’t feel like you have to make the frosting. I didn’t. The cake is sweet, moist, warmly spiced, and dotted with toffee bits all on its own.
If you want to dress it up, add the cream cheese frosting. For something simpler, serve it plain with coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Either way, this easy apple cake is worth making.
German Apple Cake
Items in blue & underlined below can be clicked for more detail or to purchase.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups apples peeled & finely chopped, tart like Granny Smith
- 1 cup English Toffee Bits, Bits O' Brickle like Health brand Bits O' Brickle
Frosting
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon half-and-half or milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar (aka confectioners)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9×13-inch pan with Wilton cake release or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until completely combined.3 large eggs, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- Add dry ingredients to wet and stir to combine.
- Fold in apples and Bit O' Brickle. Pour batter into prepared pan.4 cups apples, 1 cup English Toffee Bits, Bits O' Brickle
- Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool before frosting.
- Make frosting. Place cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer until smooth.8 ounce package cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter
- Add vanilla extract, half-and-half, and confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon half-and-half, 2 cups powdered sugar (aka confectioners)
- Spread on top of cake. Store leftovers in refrigerator.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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