Have I ever told you my mom is a serial baker? She bakes bread, pizza, focaccia, and cakes of all kinds in such an effortless way it makes me doubt we share the same genes. Not long ago, her oven door broke and she had to send it out for repair. Needless to say, she was desperate. Like what-am-I-going-to-do-with-my-life kind of desperate. Baking for her comes so naturally that even during that time when she was “oven-less”, she put her usual auto-pilot baking mode on and made pizza dough, only realizing a little late she couldn’t bake it. Oh, how much I love her!
When it comes to cakes, she’s sneaky: as soon as one cake has been eaten up by whomever comes through her kitchen (cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, me), another freshly baked one reappears in the morning at breakfast time. I don’t know how it is in your family, but it’s impossible to say no to my mom’s cakes.
One of my all-time favorite recipes of hers is probably the most quintessential cake (at least for Italians!): a simple Torta di Mele, or Apple Cake. It’s delicate, moist, and heart-warming like few other desserts. It’s one that she’s been making for years and one that disappears way too quickly once it’s pulled out of the oven.
I may be a little bit biased, but this is the perfect breakfast cake in my book!
- 1 organic lemon
- 4-5 big apples (about 650 g or 24 oz)
- 3 large eggs
- 220 g (1 cup or 7.7 oz) granulated sugar
- 70 g (5 Tbsp or 2.5 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 230 ml (1 cup) whole milk
- 300 g (2⅓ cup or 10.6 oz) all-purpose flour
- 16 g (1 heaping Tbsp) baking powder
- Preheat oven to 360° F (180° C) . Butter and flour springform pan, then line bottom with a round of parchment paper.
- Finely grate the zest of your lemon and set zest aside.
- Peel the apples, cut them in wedges and place them in a bowl. Squeeze the lemon over the apples to prevent them from browning and mix well.
- In a deep container, beat egg whites with cleaned beaters until foamy. Then add about ¼ of the sugar (about 50 g) and continue to beat until the egg whites hold stiff peaks. Set aside.
- In a separate big bowl, beat together yolks and the remainder of the sugar. Add softened butter and keep mixing until all lumps are gone. Stir in milk, a little bit at a time. Add lemon zest and mix.
- Gradually stir in flour and baking powder until just combined.
- Gently fold in ⅓ of egg whites to lighten. Then fold in remaining whites.
- Gently stir in ⅔ of the apples.
- Transfer batter to springform pan. Arrange the rest of the apples on the top, in circle patterns.
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown. The cake is cooked when a wooden pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Leave cake in the pan for about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the inner edge of the pan and remove outer ring. This cake is best enjoyed when served a bit warm!
i am SO beyond glad i found your blog! your photos are stunning & your recipes sound wonderful…i cannot wait to try this apple cake this weekend! xo!
Thanks for dropping by, Jess! Let me know how the apple cake turns out for you 🙂
Made this today with my kids, and it is absolutely delish! Just returned from Italy and this recipe is just like the one at one of my favourite little places to go for a coffee. I had to bake it a bit longer because the centre wasn’t baked through, but that may have been the apples I used. This recipe is a keeper! Thank you!
Hi Suzanne! Thank you for trying this recipe! I’m so glad to hear you like it 🙂 Regarding the baking time, each oven is different. Poking the center with toothpick is always a good way to know when it’s ready! Thank you for your feedback 🙂
Amazing Recipe!! love it! In the oven right now for new year’s eve dinner!
My wife farah just made it and the house smells so goooood, another 15 min and we will dig in to it
I have been making this cake every time from an Italian cooking book and every 5ime it was too dense. Not fluffy for myou taste. I found your recipe and I just understood that in book they for got milk ! I will try to follow your recipe next time 🙂
Making this right now. For a second date! Hopefully it will be on point a delicious. Was skeptical because the dough was so tight but then I added the whites and apples and by it turned smooth and soft and almost creamy.
I am using Granny Smith because that’s what I had. And love love love the lemon. No vanilla or cinnamon is a nice change for apples!