Apple Kuchen with Cream Cheese Topping
Apple Kuchen with Cream Cheese Topping
There are three steps in making this Apple Kuchen recipe. Even though there are three steps, none are difficult and the end result will leave you with a delicious 8 x 8 apple dessert. You can make the cream cheese topping for the apple kuchen or serve apple kuchen with cinnamon ice cream, my favorite way to eat an apple kuchen or any apple dessert for that matter.
Two Types of Apples
For the best results when making apple kuchen of any apple dessert recipe, I personally like to use at least two different kinds of apples. I feel that using two kinds of apples or even three or four different kinds of apples, adds so much more flavor and texture. Another thing I like to add if possible is a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries which give apple desserts a tart, sweet flavor. Thinly sliced pears are another option too consider.
What is a Kuchen?
Kuchen [KOO-khehn] is a fruit or cheese-filled yeast-raised cake, usually served for breakfast but also enjoyed as a dessert. It originated in Germany but is now enjoyed in many variations throughout much of Europe and the United States. The word Kaffeekuchen is German for “coffee cake.” A kuchen tends to be less sweet than what we know as a “coffee cake” with the emphasis on the fruit. So then, what is a coffee cake?
What is a Coffee Cake?
This rich, sweet, cake-like bread is usually eaten for breakfast or brunch. Coffee Cakes can be made with yeast, but those using baking soda or baking powder take less time and are equally delicious. Coffee Cakes can contain fruit, nuts and sometimes a cream cheese filling. They can be frosted or not and are usually best served slightly warm.

Apple Kuchen with Cream Cheese Topping
Ingredients
- Topping:
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cold butter
- Cake:
- 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast, make sure your yeast is fresh
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- Apples:
- 2 cups thinly sliced apples
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons quick cooking tapioca
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- Cream Cheese Topping:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup whipping cream
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Make Topping:Combine the flour and brown sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- To Make Cake:Grease an 8 x 8 inch square pan. Set aside.
- Combine 1/2 cup flour and the yeast.Heat the milk, sugar, butter and salt in a small saucepan. Heat until mixture reaches 120 º to 130 º F. Add the heated mixture and egg to the flour mixture. Beat on low to combine. Beat on high for 2 minutes, until mixture is smooth.
- Using a dough whisk or wooden spoon, add the remaining flour to create a stiff batter. Spread batter in prepared pan.
- To Make Apples:
- In a medium bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, tapioca, lemon juice and apple pie spice. Toss to coat apples. Spread apple mixture on top of the cake batter, then top apples with crumb topping. Allow to rise for one hour in a warm place.
- Preheat oven to 375 º F. Bake for 30 minutes or until top is browned and the apples are cooked through. Cool on rack for 30 minutes.
- To Make Cream Cheese Topping:
- Beat the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth.Beat in the remaining ingredients until creamy.Serve cream cheese topping with apple kuchen.
Do you like Kuchen?? We love it! Here’s a recipe you are going to want to make over and over again. German Apricot Kuchen


47 Comments on “Apple Kuchen with Cream Cheese Topping”
Welcome to SRC. I love apples but have never made a Kuchen before – it looks really good. Great SRC pick. Happy belated reveal day!
Thank you and Thanks for stopping!
Ah, I can't wait to go apple picking so I can make this cake!! It sounds amazing and perfect for fall. Great choice!
Hi~ Thanks for stopping by:) Fall and apples just seem to go together! Lynn
Hi Lynn, another interesting recipe. The topping look so good. Thanks for sharing the SRC link. Everything look awesome!
Best regards.
Hi Melissa!! I'm pretty sure I did the happy dance in my kitchen too:) So many great recipes today~ It's nice to meet you and I'll see you next time~Lynn
I know exactly how you feel. When I got the email from April asking if I still wanted to join, the composed, adult in me responded, "yes, that would be great". The kid and foodie and me jumped up and down with excitement–"I'm in! They like me!" A beautiful apple dessert. I'm sure I'll be coming how with a few bushels in a few weeks. This is a recipe to save.
Welcome to SRC! It's a great group of ladies and a great place to go to whenever you have any questions about blogging or food 🙂 This apple kuchen looks fabulous..great SRC pick!
Thank-you! I have been to so many new and wonderful blogs today! Thanks for stopping by:) Lynn
Welcome to the SRC! What a great choice for your first SRC post – YUM!
Hi Amy~ Thanks for the Welcome and for stopping by~ See you next month:) Lynn
Glad to meet another WI blogger! I can't wait for apple season! What a beautiful kuchen!
Hi Sarah~ Nice to meet you too:) Fall is fast approaching!! My favorite season~Lynn
There are a lot of newbies, me included. The recipe you choose from Karen's blog is so great Lyn, I just love crumb kuchen, and with apples too!
Hi Paula~ There are alot of newbies:) One of my favorite things is a crumb topping, on anything! Welcome to SRC!
Looks delicious! Thanks for joining us this week at the Let's Get Social Sunday party. have a wonderful week!
Thanks for co-hosting Let's Get Social Sunday! See you next time~ Lynn
Welcome to the group! What a delicious treat you've made. Great pick, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi Melissa~ Thank-you for the Welcome!
Welcome to SRC!!! I loved going through your blog this month and have bookmarked so many things I want to make, but first I might have to make another batch of your peanut butter cookies. And this apple kuchen is perfect as we roll into fall !!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by~ This has been a great first reveal day!!
Welcome to the club! I love the title of your blog. Too cute!
Hi Emily~ Thank-you for the Welcome and for stopping by today:)
Welcome to SRC!! This was a great first pick, it looks delicious! Can't wait til I have crisp Fall apples!
Hi Jess~ Thank-you for the Welcome! Fall means apples and pumpkins and there were some good recipes today for both:) Lynn
Such a great looking recipe! It would be perfect with vanilla ice cream.
Hi Tara! Vanilla ice cream and apples are a perfect combination:) Lynn
Great SRC pick! What a beautiful recipe you chose.
Thank-you!!
YUM! Great choice…it's always so hard to choose a recipe to make…
Hi Kirstin! Yes it is! This one was a winner:) Lynn
Oh my – that looks SO good! Fantastic SRC pick!!
Thank-you Rebekah and Thanks for stopping by today:) Lynn
WELCOME! What a GREAT 1st post and I know you will LOVE the SRC! Great recipe choice and lovely photos too! Karen
Thank-you Karen!! I am so glad to be part of The Secret Recipe Club:) Lynn
My husband would LOVE this! The pictures are just gorgeous! Happy first reveal day!
Thank you Janie:)
This looks and sounds delicious! Love the combination of cardamom, ginger and nutmeg. YUM!
Renee – Kudos Kitchen
Hi Renee~ Thank you! I love using Apple pie spice and Pumpkin pie spice, it gives a recipe that extra hmm?
This sounds like a perfect recipe for apple season!
Hi Beth~ I think a drizzle of warm caramel sauce would be great on this apple kuchen also:) I'll try that next time!! Lynn
Lyn, you did an awesome job on your first SRC post! Fall is my favorite time of the year, and your apple kuchen definitely took me there. I can't wait for apple season to begin. Welcome to the club. 🙂
Thank you April! Fall is right around the corner here in Northern WI, and I always look forward to it:) Thanks for stopping by~Lynn
Great choice for SRC this month!! Oh My!! This really looks delicious!! This would be a great addition to Thanksgiving dinner!!
Hi~ Thanks so much for stopping by! This would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner and a nice alternative to Pumpkin Pie, or should I say in addition to pie:) Lynn
Hey thanks! I've been following you for a while and love your blog. Glad to meet you!
Hi Karen! Thanks for stopping and thanks for a great recipe:) It's nice to meet you too~ Lynn