Apple Chocolate Kuchen

Versión en español

Last night, I was missing my mom, wishing for her to live nearby and not 10.000 miles away. I was craving her baking: oatmeal cookies and strudels. I have one of her recipe books, and I found this lovely, forgotten, Apple Chocolate Kuchen that my mom used to make for me. It was just what I need to bring all the good memories. I love the smell of when the apples are cooking in the oven. My husband and children couldn’t wait to try it.

The chocolate and apple combination is delicious; the walnuts give contrast in the texture and the oatmeal also. Probably my favorite part is the crumbs on top. A fast and excellent recipe.

Recipe originally published in February 2009.

You may also be interested in the recipe: Apple Sheet Kuchen.

Apple Chocolate Kuchen

12 portions
Ingredients:

for the apples,

• ½ cup of sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
• 4 peeled and chopped apples in 1 cm cubes

For the kuchen,

• 1 cup of all purpose flour
• 1 cup of sugar
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ cup of unsalted butter, cold
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup of traditional oatmeal, not instant
• 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa or dutch cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon vanilla

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F or 180C.
2. Butter a 9″ springform pan.
3. Cook the apples with sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a small pot over medium heat for 5-8 minutes. Let boil gently. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the butter cut into pieces and work until crumbs form. Add the walnuts and oats, stir. Reserve a cup of this mixture.
5. Add the cocoa and the baking powder to the rest of the mixture. Add the eggs and vanilla, combine.
6. Spread the mixture in a buttered pan, place the apples on top and sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until browned.
8. Serve cold.