Apple Cake

The apple cake is a classic and comforting dessert. Here is a basic recipe with an Italian touch:

Ingredients

• 3 large apples (such as Golden or Renette)
• 250 g of flour type 00
• 200 g of sugar
• 3 eggs
• 100 g of melted butter
• 1 packet of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 lemon (zested)
• Icing sugar (for decoration)
• Cinnamon powder (optional for a spicy touch)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Peel the apples, remove the core and slice them thinly or dice them, as you prefer. Set aside. For an even more Italian flavor, you might add a splash of liqueur like Amaretto to the apples.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until you have a frothy and light mixture.
4. Add the lukewarm melted butter and the grated lemon zest to the egg and sugar mixture, mixing well.
5. Gradually add the sifted flour with the baking powder and a pinch of salt, blending carefully to avoid lumps.
6. Gently fold the apples into the batter.
7. Pour the mixture into a buttered and floured cake tin (or lined with parchment paper) and even out the surface.
8. For a final touch, you could sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top if you like it.
9. Bake the cake for about 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let the apple cake cool before sprinkling with icing sugar for decoration.

Did you know?

The apple cake is a dessert found in many variations throughout Italy, often enriched with local ingredients and family variations. It is not uncommon to find recipes that include raisins, pine nuts, or even pieces of chocolate to enhance the flavor.

Happy baking and enjoy your meal!