Light Apple Cake

The apple cake is a classic homemade dessert, and its light version is perfect for those wishing to limit calorie intake without sacrificing taste. Here is a recipe for a light apple cake, with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 3 large apples
• 150 g of type 1 or whole wheat flour
• 50 g of almond flour
• 100 ml of semi-skimmed milk or plant-based beverage
• 2 eggs
• 80 g of brown sugar or sweetener of choice
• 1 packet of baking powder
• 1 lemon (grated zest)
• 1 pinch of cinnamon
• 1 pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F) and line a round baking pan with a diameter of about 24 cm (9.5 inches) with parchment paper.
2. Peel the apples, remove the core and cut them into thin slices. In a bowl, spritz the apples with some lemon juice to prevent oxidation.
3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar (or sweetener) until they become light and foamy.
4. Add the grated lemon zest and milk, stirring gently.
5. Mix in the sifted flours, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, stirring everything until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
6. Fold the apple slices into the batter, mixing carefully to distribute them evenly.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, leveling it with a spatula.
8. Bake the cake for about 35-40 minutes or until the surface is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the cake to cool before removing it from the pan and serving.

Curiosity

Apple cake is one of the most beloved and widespread desserts in Italy, with regional variations ranging from the simple addition of pine nuts and raisins to more elaborate recipes. In some versions, to make it even lighter, sugar can be replaced with unsweetened apple puree, which will add sweetness and moisture to the cake without adding refined sugars.