Apfelkuchen Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• For the apple filling:
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 large apples (I like to use Honeycrisp), peeled, cored and diced
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• For the streusel topping:
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the melted butter and sugar until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Add the vanilla extract, sour cream, and milk and mix until smooth.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and set aside.
6. In a medium skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon and cook until the apples are softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
7. Spread the apple mixture over the batter in the pan and set aside.
8. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the melted butter and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apple mixture.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before slicing.

Interesting Facts

• Apfelkuchen is a traditional German apple cake that is often served as a dessert or afternoon snack.
• The name of the cake comes from the German words "apfel" meaning apple and "kuchen" meaning cake.
• The streusel topping is a combination of butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon, and is what gives the cake its signature crunchy texture.