Apple and Hazelnut Cake

The Apple and Hazelnut Cake is a tasty dessert that combines the sweetness of apples with the rich flavor of hazelnuts. Here is a version with an Italian twist on the recipe:

Ingredients

• 200 g of all-purpose flour
• 100 g of finely chopped hazelnuts
• 150 g of sugar
• 100 g of softened butter
• 3 eggs
• 2 large apples
• 1 packet of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 lemon (grated zest)
• Powdered sugar (for garnish)
• A bit of milk (if necessary)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with the sugar until fluffy.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, continuing to mix.
4. Stir in the chopped hazelnuts and the grated lemon zest into the mixture.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the previously sifted flour with baking powder and a pinch of salt.
6. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, blending well to avoid lumps. If the batter is too thick, you can add a bit of milk to reach the desired consistency.
7. Peel the apples, remove the cores, and slice them thinly.
8. Add half of the apple slices to the batter and gently mix to distribute evenly.
9. Grease and flour a springform pan and pour in the batter.
10. Arrange the remaining apple slices on top of the batter, creating a pattern of your choice.
11. Bake the cake and cook for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
12. Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling.
13. Before serving, dust the cake with powdered sugar.

Trivia

Hazelnuts are very loved in Italian cuisine, especially in Piedmont, where the renowned ‘Nocciola Piemonte PGI’, also known as ‘Tonda Gentile delle Langhe’ variety, is cultivated. These hazelnuts are appreciated for their rich flavor and their crunchy texture, and are an excellent ingredient for desserts and ice creams.