Description
Rhenish Apple Cake (Apfelriemchen) is a traditional German apple cake made with a yeast-based dough, layered with spiced apples and topped with a crumbly streusel for a comforting homemade dessert.
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 50 g granulated sugar
- 7 g active dry yeast
- 125 ml warm milk
- 60 g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 50 g granulated sugar (for apples)
- 100 g all-purpose flour (for streusel)
- 75 g cold butter, cubed (for streusel)
- 75 g granulated sugar (for streusel)
Instructions
- In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, egg, remaining sugar, salt, and flour. Knead until a soft dough forms.
- Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a rectangular baking pan.
- Press the risen dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Toss apple slices with lemon juice, cinnamon, and sugar, then arrange evenly over the dough.
- For the streusel, rub flour, sugar, and cold butter together until crumbly.
- Sprinkle streusel evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Best served slightly warm or at room temperature.
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith for best flavor.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German