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.
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 aside
20 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.
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.