German Apple Cake
Author: 
 
A vegan recipe for the classic German Apple Cake featuring a layer of moist cake topped with tart apples and smothered with sweet, toasted almonds.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup nondairy milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds (preferably golden flax) mixed with 6 Tablespoons of water
  • ¼ cup oil (any neutral oil--I used sunflower)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 large apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin (grannysmith, fuji, or golden delicious are all good)
For the Almond Topping:
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons nondairy milk
  • 4 Tablespoons vegan butter or coconut oil
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the nondairy milk, sugar, flax seed mixture, oil, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt until completely blended. Set both bowls aside and peel, core, and slice the apples.
  3. Now that everything is ready, combine the flour mix into the wet mixture and whisk until combined (The batter is a bit thick). Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan. Scatter the sliced apples evenly over the top of the batter and bake for 20 minutes.
  4. After the cake has been in the oven for 15 minutes, make the almond topping by combining the sugar, nondairy milk, vegan butter or coconut oil, and sliced almonds in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Stir it occasionally and let it simmer on low until the the cake timer rings.
  5. Gently remove the cake from the oven and place on the counter. Pour the very hot almond mixture evenly over the top of the apples and immediately put it back in the oven for another 25 minutes.
  6. After 25 minutes, the topping should be golden brown and bubbling. Insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into the cake to test the doneness. The cake has now had a total bake time of 45 minutes. If you think it needs more time, leave it in for another 5 minutes.
  7. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on the counter completely before slicing and serving. It's even better the next day.
Notes
-This cake has a classic flavor but it also comes out great if you add your favorite spices. You could add some cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, or allspice.

-If you use coconut oil instead of vegan butter for making the topping, you may notice that the oil may slightly solidify the next day, especially if you're in a cold environment. This doesn't affect the taste but if it bothers you, throw the cake under the broiler for a few minutes right before serving to guests. It will look like you just baked it again.
Recipe by Lands & Flavors at https://www.landsandflavors.com/german-apple-cake/