Italian apple cake is the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug from Nonna's kitchen. This rustic cake also knows as Torta di mele, is made with fresh apples, simple pantry staples, and a touch of lemon for brightness.
Moist, tender, with a gooey center and not overly sweet, it's perfect as a dessert, a snack with coffee, or even for breakfast. Not to mention that your kitchen will smell amazing while it bakes!
If you like apples, then you'll love my recipe for Homemade Apple Fritters, Easy Apple Strudel recipe or my Apple Crumble cheesecake.
Visit my recipe box for some more great recipe ideas inspired by Italian tradition!
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Here's Why You'll Love this Cake
Not only will you find the smell irresistible while it bakes, but you'll love this recipe for Italian apple cake because:
- classic Italian dessert made with simple ingredients
- moist, tender crumbs loaded with fresh apples
- not overly sweet which makes it perfect for any time of the day
- light and fluffy and comforting all around.
- gooey center is the perfect comfort food while still warm
Serve Italian apple cake after a meal like:
What Apples Work Well with Apple Cake?
Ideally a mix of two types of apples work best for apple cake. Here's a breakdown of apples types that are typically used in baking:
Granny Smith - tart, firm, and hold their shape beautifully. Great if you don't want the cake to sweet.
Honeycrisp - crisp texture, juicy, and naturally sweet; excellent balance for cakes.
Gala - mildly sweet and soft, works well when combined with a tarter variety of apple.
Fuji - very sweet and soft, works well when combined with a firmer apple.
Golden Delicious - sweet and mellow, with a tender bite when baked.
Braeburn - Sweet-tart with a firmer texture, perfect for rustic cakes.
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Did you know?
In Italy, apple cake is one of the most beloved homemade desserts, often called Torta di Mele. Unlike American apple pies or cobblers, Italian apple cakes are rustic, lightly sweetened, and make to highlight the natural flavor of apples.
Every region or family has it own version, often passed down from mothers and grandmothers. These cakes are traditionally enjoyed in the afternoon with an espresso or served simply at the end of a family meal.
Italian apple cake is so popular that it's considered a staple of nonna's kitchen.
Ingredients
For this Italian Apple Cake recipe you'll need: butter, flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, salt, olive oil, vanilla extract, milk, lemon, apples, cinnamon and walnuts.
For exact measurement details and directions see recipe card...
How to Make Italian Apple Cake
Torta di Mele is so easy to make. Start by prepping the ingredients you need, but don't slice the apples for the top until just before needed.
Prepare a 9" springform pan by greasing the sides with butter and flour. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350℉.
Peel, core and chop one of the apples into small cubes. Set aside
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
Combine eggs and sugar in a medium bowl using a hand mixer. Mix until the eggs are pale yellow.
Add olive oil, vanilla extract and lemon zest to the egg mixture and mix until combined.
Add flour mixture and milk alternating between the two. Continue to use a mixer to combine ingredients then switch to a spatula. Do not over mix.
Add cubed apples and mix with a spatula.
Pour into the springform pan.
Slice the second apple in half, then again to make four quarters. Remove core and slice into thin slices, about ¼" thick or less. It's not necessary to peel the apple.
Place sliced apples in a bowl and toss with cinnamon and lemon juice.
Start placing apples slices around the perimeter of the spring form pan. Sprinkle walnuts in empty spaces.
Continue to fill inner circle with apple slices alternating with pieces of walnuts scattered in empty spaces until the top of the cake is covered.
Bake for about 1 hour, 10 minutes. The center will be gooey because of the moisture of the cake. Check around the cake with a toothpick to see if it is cooked around various areas of the cake.
Remove from oven and let cool completely before slicing. The center will be gooey and creamy.
Storage:
Store Italian apple cake at room temperature covered for 2 to 3 days. You can also store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days covered.
Apple cake freezes really well. Slice in to individual pieces and wrap tightly before freezing.
Top Tips
Use firm apples like honeycrisp, gala or granny smith so they hold of their shape.
Don't cut the sliced apples used to top the cake until they are needed to avoid browning.
Don't overmix the batter - this keeps the cake tender.
Let the cake cool completely before slicing for the best texture.
Serve with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or ice cream/gelato.
Substitutions and Variations
Want to substitute an ingredient or change things up? How about one of these:
- Pears - use pears instead of apples and add some raisins too!
- Nuts - use pine nuts, slivered almonds or even peanuts
- Almond Flour - substitute almond flour for a gluten free version
- Pie Filling - use pie filling instead of fresh apples for more of an apple pie texture
The perfect recipe isn't that far away. I'd love to know how you substituted ingredients to fit your dietary needs. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
Yes, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop.
Store at room temperature, covered for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Yes. Cut into single servings and wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Main Dishes to Make
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe Details
Italian Apple Cake Recipe
https://easyhomemaderecipes.caEquipment
- spring form pan 9" diameter, 3" tall
Ingredients
- ½ tsp butter to grease pan
- 1 tbsp flour to grease pan
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cups sugar
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- pinch salt
- ⅔ cup olive oil light tasting olive oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk whole milk
- 1 tbsp lemon zest or orange
- 20 oz apples 2 large apples, 1 peeled, cored and cubed, 1 cored and sliced about ¼"
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Prepare a 9" ( and at least 3" tall) springform pan by greasing the sides with butter and flour. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350℉.½ tsp butter, 1 tbsp flour
- Peel, core and chop one of the apples into small cubes. Set aside20 oz apples
- Combine eggs and sugar in a medium bowl using a hand mixer. Mix until the eggs are pale yellow.3 large eggs, 1 cups sugar
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.3 cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, pinch salt
- Add olive oil, vanilla extract and lemon zest to the egg mixture and mix until combined.⅔ cup olive oil, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tbsp lemon zest
- Add flour mixture and milk alternating between the two. Continue to use a mixer to combine ingredients then switch to a spatula. Do not over mix.1 cup milk
- Add cubed apples and mix with a spatula. Pour into the springform pan.
- Slice the second apple in half, then again to make four quarters. Remove core and slice into thin slices, about ¼" thick or less. It's not necessary to peel the apple.
- Place sliced apples in a bowl and toss with cinnamon and lemon juice.1 tsp lemon juice, ¼ tsp cinnamon
- Start placing apples slices around the perimeter of the spring form pan. Sprinkle walnuts in empty spaces. Continue to fill inner circle with apple slices alternating with pieces of walnuts scattered in empty spaces until the top of the cake is covered.¼ cup walnuts
- Bake for about 1 hour, 10 minutes. The center will be gooey because of the moisture of the cake. Check around the cake with a toothpick to see if it is cooked around various areas of the cake.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving.
Notes
Top Tips
Use firm apples like honeycrisp, gala or granny smith so they hold of their shape. Don't cut the sliced apples used to top the cake until they are needed to avoid browning. Don't overmix the batter - this keeps the cake tender. Let the cake cool completely before slicing for the best texture. Serve with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or ice cream/gelato.Nutrition
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Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check the Government of Canada Food Safety Guidelines or see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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