German Apple Cake
German Apple Cake has chunks of fresh apple, lots of fall spices, crunchy pecans, and a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.
- Prep20 min
- Cook50 min
- Total1 hr 10 min
- Serves16
- Rating4.9

German Apple Cake has chunks of fresh apple, lots of fall spices, crunchy pecans, and a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. This is one of the most delicious apple desserts you will ever taste so get ready for some fall baking!!

This is one of my favorite apple recipes along with Easy Apple Dumplings, Caramel Apple Quesadillas, and Apple Crisp Coffee Cake.
I know it’s not quite fall yet, but I’m ready for it to be here. This past week I helped both my kids get moved into their apartments for the school year. My daughter in Charleston and my son in Atlanta. And now I’m ready for the seasons to begin to change and the fall baking to commence. (Note: Originally published August 17, 2017.)
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *Email *Apples, along with sweet potatoes and pumpkin are what fall baking is all about for me. I’ve never been a huge apple pie fan but I love apples in other types of desserts like Caramel Apple Pound Cake, Crockpot Butterscotch Apple Crisp, and Frisky Apple Fritters.
This German Apple Cake is everything you could want in a fall apple dessert. The cake batter, with lots of chunks of apple, cooks up super moist with just the right amount of spice flavoring. But undoubtedly the best part is the icing!!
How To Make German Apple Cake
(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)
- Prepare oven and pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.

- Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until combined.
- Fold in apples and pecans.

- Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes.

- Make frosting and spread on cooled cake.
- Butternut Spice Cake with Bourbon Glaze
- Southern Sweet Potato Pie
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Praline Torte
- Pumpkin Cake Roll
- Butterscotch Pumpkin Trifle
- Fireball Apple Dumplings
- Pumpkin Lush
Measure The Flour Correctly
When baking a cake, it is so important to measure the flour correctly or you risk having a dry cake. To measure, first fluff the flour up some in the bag or container. Flour tends to get packed down over time. Then use a large spoon to gently scoop it into a dry measuring cup. Overfill it slightly and use the back of a knife to run across the top and get rid of the excess.
Recipe Tip
This recipe would be equally delicious with walnuts instead of pecans.
Storage
Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

★★★★★
OMG 🥰 My Mom always baked with spices, so this was right up my alley 😉 I inhaled my first piece 👌My husband says 5 🤩 Type of Apples To Use
I recommend using a tart apple like Granny Smith for this recipe. The cake itself is very sweet and a tart apple will help cut the sweetness a little.

More Fall Desserts
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
Ingredients
Frosting
Equipment 9x13-inch Baking Pan, Electric Hand Mixer
Steps
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until completely combined.
- 3
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
- 4
Add dry ingredients to wet and stir to combine.
- 5
Fold in apples and pecans. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- 6
Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool.
- 7
Make frosting. Place cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer until smooth.
- 8
Add vanilla extract, half-and-half, and confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth.
- 9
Spread on top of cake. Store leftovers in refrigerator.
Notes
Walnuts can be used instead of pecans.
Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store cake in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Calories474
- Carbs58
- Protein4
- Fat26
- Sodium212
- Fiber2
- Sugar44
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