Apple Streusel Kuchen

My interest in cooking and baking originates from my German heritage. My first lessons in cooking and baking came from my German mother. Our family enjoyed many German specialties. My mother baked beautiful German cakes and tortes. My interest in cooking and baking grew into a passion for nutrition. One of my favorite deserts growing up was an apple streusel kuchen. Traditional German Streusel Kuchen is a butter cake made with a yeast dough that is covered with a sweet crumble or streusel. In my twist of the original recipe, I use a simple butter cake batter, adding a layer of cheesecake, sliced apples, and an oatmeal streusel topping.

Guten Appetit!

Apple Streusel Kuchen

Cake Batter

1 cup all-purpose white flour sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup half and half

Cheesecake Layer

8 ounces cream cheese softened
one large egg lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
1/4 cup white granulated sugar

Oatmeal Streusel Topping

1/2 cup all-purpose white flour
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces

3 medium apples (Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, or your favorite cooking apple), peeled, cored and sliced into thin slices

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 9 inch spring form pan and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Prepare the streusel topping. In a small bowl mix the flour, oatmeal, brown and white sugars, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two forks until topping resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

For the cake batter, in a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.In the bowl of your electric mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until creamy and smooth. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until well incorporated. Add the flour mixture alternately with the half and half, starting and ending with the flour mixture and beating only until combined. Spread the cake batter evenly onto the the bottom of the prepared pan.

To make the cheese cake layer, in a separate bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar and mix well. Blend in the beaten egg and vanilla. Spread cheese cake layer evenly over the cake batter.

Arrange apple slices evenly on top of the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle with the streusel topping.

Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out clean and the apples are soft and cooked through. Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing. Dust with powdered sugar.