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Classic Italian Apple Cake Recipe
Italian Apple Cake, also known as Torta di Mele, is a simple and classic dessert made with just a few basic ingredients: fresh apples, lemon, butter, eggs, sugar, and flour.This traditional recipe is incredibly easy to make, making it perfect for a quick sweet treat, a light breakfast, or a delicious dessert after dinner.
Ingredients
- 250 g flour - 1 ⅓ cup
- 100 ml milk - ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon
- 2 eggs
- 100 g unsalted butter - ~1 stick, melted
- 14 g baking powder - 1 tablespoon
- 100 g granulated sugar - ½ cup
- 1 lemon - juice and zest
- 3 apples
- brown sugar - for decoration
Instructions
- First, set your oven to 180°C (350°F) so it's ready when the cake is. While the oven is heating up, prepare a 22 cm (9-inch) springform pan by lining it with parchment paper. Make sure to wet and squeeze the paper to fit it snugly into the pan. This will help prevent sticking and ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
- Wash and peel your apples. For this cake, you’ll need to cut half of the apples into small chunks and the other half into thin slices. The chunks will go inside the batter, while the slices will decorate the top. Once cut, squeeze lemon juice over the apple pieces and slices to give them a fresh flavor and to stop them from turning brown while you prepare the rest of the cake.
- In a large mixing bowl, crack your eggs and add the sugar. Using a hand whisk or an electric mixer, beat the mixture for about 5 minutes until it becomes light, fluffy, and frothy. This step adds air to the batter, making the cake soft. After that, stir in the melted butter and lemon zest for extra flavor.
- Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and milk to the egg mixture. Mix everything well until smooth and fully combined. Next, fold in the chopped apple chunks by hand, using a wooden spoon, so the apples are evenly distributed in the batter. Save the thin apple slices for the next step.
- Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan, spreading it out evenly. Then, take the remaining apple slices and arrange them neatly on top in a circular pattern. This will create a beautiful decorative top as the cake bakes.
- Before you place the cake in the oven, sprinkle a little brown sugar on top of the apples. This will melt and form a deliciously crunchy, caramelized layer while the cake bakes.
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden and the apple slices are lightly toasted. To be sure, you can also insert a toothpick into the center of the cake—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing it.
- For a special treat, serve the apple cake with a dollop of whipped cream, some rich pastry cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 100gCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 7gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 279mgPotassium: 218mgFiber: 4gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 577IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 187mgIron: 3mg
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