Apple Cake with Almonds (Germany South)

The Southern German Apple Cake is a specialty from the South of Germany and is different than other apple cakes. This German apple cake is awesome for any "Kaffee and Kuchen" table, for the holidays, for birthdays and festive occasions. The apples are covered in a creamy filling and will be placed on a light dough. It is easy to make. Even baking beginners will succeed. I like to add raisins and cinnamon.

1½ sticks butter (200 g)
4 eggs
sugar (60 g)
all-purpose flour, unbleached (150 g)
¼ tsp. baking powder
1 lemon, freshly squeezed
1 (0.3 oz) pkg vanilla sugar
4-5 medium size apples
Monk Fruit Sweetener with Erythritol (Powdered) (70 g)
1 Tbsp. vanilla pudding powder (1 tsp. liquid vanilla and 1 Tbsp. cornstarch if you don't use the vanilla pudding powder)
butter and flour, for dusting the form
3 Tbsp. almonds and/or 3 Tbsp. raisins, chopped
ground cinnamon

Preheat an oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). Grease a spring form (10") and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

Melt 100 g butter, let cool off a bit (shouldn't be hot).

Separate eggs. Beat egg yolks with 60 g sugar until creamy.

Mix all-purpose flour, unbleached with baking powder, add to the egg cream, swiftly mix it, then add the butter.

Fill dough into the form, the best is with wet hands squeeze it evenly into the form. The dough consistency is not soft and not firm.

Place dough in the fridge for 15-30 minutes (dough needs to get firm).

Peel apples, remove core and cut in slices, mix with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Soften butter and mix with confectioners' sugar, pudding powder or starch, add vanilla. Beat egg whites until firm.

Add egg whites to the cream, mix gently with a spatula, add apple slices, mix gently.

Remove dough from fridge (the dough should be firm), create an edge of 1.5" and gently press the dough around the rim of the form.

Add the apple cream. Sprinkle with chopped almonds and/or add the raisins and cinnamon; mix well.

Bake for 55 minutes, cover with foil to prevent that cake gets brown.

Optional: Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Let cool off a bit before you release from the form. This cake tastes delicious if it is still warm.

Serve with whipped cream.