Easy Italian Apple Cake (Torta Di Mele)

User Reviews

4.7

273 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    1 hr

  • Total Time

    1 hr 15 mins

  • Servings

    6

  • Calories

    506 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Easy Italian Apple Cake (Torta Di Mele)

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert that’s always a crowd pleaser, this easy Italian apple cake, or torta di mele, is it. You need just 6 ingredients and one bowl to make it, and it’s easy to make ahead or freeze.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 cup self-raising flour (Alternatively, use all-purpose flour and add 2 teaspoons baking powder.)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 lemon rind and juice
  • 3 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 4.5 ounces butter melted (½ cup or a stick - alternatively, use ½ cup oil)
  • 4 apples (Or 2.5 to 4 apples (see note below), depending on size, peeled & sliced thinly)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
  • ¾ cup pine nuts ½ cup in batter, ¼ cup on top - optional
  • Icing sugar for sprinkling at the end

to serve

  • icing sugar for sprinkling over the top
  • cream, ice cream or custard (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 355F / 180C (fan oven).
  2. Line an 8 inch round cake pan with baking paper and lightly grease with butter or spray with oil.
  3. Zest and juice the lemon and set the zest aside. Put the chopped apples in a small bowl and pour the lemon juice over them. 
  4. Combine the flour, sugar and lemon zest together in a large bowl, then add the eggs, melted butter, cinnamon & pine nuts (if using) and 2/3 of the apples. Stir until just combined.
  5. Tip the batter into the cake pan and smooth on top, then arrange the rest of the sliced apples on the top in a circle pattern (see photos in post and recipe video). Sprinkle over extra cinnamon (optional) and the rest of the pine nuts (if using).
  6. Bake for about 1 hour, or until a skewer pushed into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Check after 45 minutes, then every 5 minutes after that.
  7. Cool, then sprinkle with a bit of icing sugar before serving. Serve slightly warm or cold alone or with ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

  • Number of apples to use: I vary the number of apples I use to make this cake. If they're small apples, I'll use 4. If they're big e.g. Granny Smith apples, I usually use just two and a half apples. If they're medium apples, about 3 is right! Just eye-ball it. You can't really go too wrong!
  • If the cake starts to brown too much in the oven: If the apples start to brown a little too much, just cover the cake over with some aluminium foil for the last part of cooking. 
  • Cooking time: Based on reader feedback, if your oven runs a bit hot, your cake may be ready before 1 hour. The first time you make it, check after 45 minutes, then every 5 minutes after that! 
  • Freezing instructions: This cake freezes really well! If you’d like to freeze it, let cool completely then wrap in aluminium foil and/or a Ziploc bag before storing in the freezer.
  • When you want to serve it, let it defrost for a couple of hours, then warm slightly in the oven (if you like) by popping it into the oven on the ‘keep warm’ (or really low) setting for about half an hour.
  • Another Italian cake to try: When you're more in the mood for chocolate, you just have to try this torta tenerina, the most delicious Italian chocolate cake with its thin meringue-like crust and rich melty inside.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 506kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 52g (17%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 31g (48%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 127mg (42%) Sodium 185mg (8%) Potassium 306mg (9%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 30g (60%) Vitamin A 715IU (14%) Vitamin C 15.1mg (17%) Calcium 39mg (4%) Iron 1.8mg (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 506 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 506kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 52g 17%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 185mg 8%
Potassium 306mg 7%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 30g 60%
Vitamin A 715IU 14%
Vitamin C 15.1mg 17%
Calcium 39mg 4%
Iron 1.8mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.7

273 reviews
Excellent

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