Apple Sour Cream Kuchen

acerast's Note:

Family and the folks from church love this cake from Ann Byrn (The Cake Mix Doctor). I've made it many times and experimented with different pan sizes. I've listed my results below so you can choose to make it "moist and gooey" or with a firmer cake base (my preference). Slicing the apples takes some time, but since the recipe uses a cake mix, it goes together faster than you think! This was a "hot item" when sold at a church bake sale (sold in disposable pans).

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 20

• 1 (18 1/4 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 4 -5 apples, large, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. Lightly grease the pan(s) of your choice according to how moist or firm you like your cake.
4. 9x13 inch pan for a moist, gooey cake.
5. 10x15 inch jelly roll pan for a firmer, sheet cake.
6. Or 2 8x10 disposable pans for firm cakes (that are great for bake sales.).
7. In a large mixing bowl, place the cake mix, sour cream, 4 Tablespoons butter and the egg.
8. Blend on low speed just until the mixture forms a thick dough (about 1 minute).
9. Gently press the dough evenly over the bottom of your chosen pan(s) so that it reaches the sides.
10. Bake for 10 minutes.
11. Meanwhile, toss the apple slices with the lemon juice in another mixing bowl.
12. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
13. Remove the cake from the oven but leave the oven on.
14. Arrange the apple slices in rows over the top of the cake.
15. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the apples.
16. Drizzle the remaining 4 Tablespoons of melted butter over the sugar mixture.
17. Return the pan(s) to the oven and bake the cake until it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (30 - 40 minutes for the firmer cakes), (Ann Byrn bakes her 9x13 for 30-32 minutes but this was too gooey in the center for me).
18. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes.
19. This is wonderful warm but also too good to resist when cool.
20. Store covered at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
21. I have not frozen this cake but it says you can wrap it in foil and freeze it.

Reviews

[gwynn]

This is a very good recipe. My family just loved it. I will be making this again soon. Thanks for posting.

[PubRat]

This is very easy and comes out tasting wonderful! Brought it to work and had many requests for the recipe. I used slightly less sugar over the top than called for and was perfect. Great easy fall recipe!

[kansbaker]

This is simple,fast,pretty and tastes wonderful.I made in a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan.I used pears in mine,but will try apples next time.