4.7 from 273 votes
Easy Italian Apple Cake (Torta Di Mele)
This Italian Apple Cake features a tender crumb studded with thinly sliced apples and optional pine nuts, accented by lemon zest and cinnamon. The combination of self-raising flour, eggs, melted butter, and fresh lemon juice creates a moist and flavorful cake. Topping the cake with arranged apple slices and pine nuts adds texture and a decorative touch. It’s a pleasant balance of sweet and tangy, suitable for serving warm or cold with cream, ice cream, or custard.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
506 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 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 egg lightly beaten
- 4.5 ounces butter melted (½ cup or a stick - alternatively, use ½ cup oil)
- 4 apple 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 optional, or ice cream or custard
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 355F / 180C (fan oven).
- Line an 8 inch round cake pan with baking paper and lightly grease with butter or spray with oil.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Cool, then sprinkle with a bit of icing sugar before serving. Serve slightly warm or cold alone or with ice cream or whipped cream.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adjust apple quantity based on size: 4 small, 2.5 large, or 3 medium apples for balanced moisture and texture.
- If the cake browns too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil during the final baking stage to avoid excessive color.
- Freezing is suitable after cooling; wrap tightly and thaw before gently warming to preserve freshness.
Nutrition Information
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 506
% 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.