Rustic Italian Apple Cake

Italian Apple Cake

It was a year ago today that we took off for several weeks on a trip that included a few adventures. Among them was booking our family into Fontana del Papa, a bed and breakfast that doubles as a cooking school in the countryside an hour north of Rome.

I was a little worried taking up two precious days of our holiday for a selfish little cooking side-trip. This was clearly for me more than anyone else. Plus, I was uncertain about the suitability of the place for kids, and knew nothing about it beyond a few photos viewed over the internet.

But two days of learning to cook Roman food in a rustic Italian setting? It was worth the risk. Every morning and afternoon, a bell rang calling us to the kitchen. It was time to cook.

The first day, we ambled down, coaxing our reluctant trio of girls along. After that, the kids were the first to come running; eager to cook alongside Mathilda, our wonderful teacher who spoke no English but was terrific with emotive hand gestures and encouraging smiles.

We loved it so much, we booked a third night.

Easy Italian Apple Cake

I hadn’t given much thought to the desserts we might bake, more focused on the simple pastas of the region. In fact, I’d never much cared for Italian sweets, thinking there wasn’t much to them beyond cannoli and amaretti cookies.

But that first class, Mathilda set us to work on this Torta di Mele, which I’m calling Rustic Italian Apple Cake, and my bias was corrected. We ate it after dinner that night and for the two breakfasts to follow.

This cake has basic ingredients and a simple technique, yet the results of this Italian Apple Cake will make you look like a professional. That’s my kind of baking.

It’s a mildly sweet, sturdy cake, studded with tangy apples that seems to get better on day two or three. It’s the perfect sort of dessert to bring to a potluck or serve as part of a brunch. In summer, I’ll try it with  “just ripe” plums or nectarines

Italian Apple Cake

Rustic Italian Apple Cake

This is a very simple cake that isn't too sweet. It's excellent for dessert, in the afternoon with a cup of tea, or even for brunch. The cake is made in a 9-inch spring form pan. You can also use a 10-inch pan if you increase recipe by 50 percent and expect it will take a bit longer to cook. Serve it plain or with freshly whipped cream or lightly sweetened Greek Yogurt.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 to 10 servings
Calories 284 kcal
Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

  • Butter and flour for dusting the pan
  • 3 Granny Smith apples
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (or canola oil)
  • 2 tablespoons Sambuca (see Notes)
  • 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
  • Confectioners' sugar to finish; whipped cream or Greek yogurt for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Coat a 9-inch spring form pan generously with butter. Lightly dust with flour. 

  3. Peel and core the apples. Slice into ¼-inch-thick wedges. Set aside.
  4. Crack the eggs into a medium bowl. Add the oil and whisk together until one even consistency. Add the Sambuca, flour, sugar, and baking powder, and whisk until smooth.

  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Set the apples in the batter in a circle around the edge of the pan, overlapping slightly. Gently press the apples into the batter. Lay an inside circle of apples into the batter as you did the first.
  6. Bake until the cake is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.
  7. Let cool for at least 30 minutes. 

  8. Remove the outside of the spring form pan. Lightly dust the top of the cake with confectioners' sugar, if desired.  Serve in wedges with whipped cream or Greek yogurt. 

Recipe Notes

Sambuca is an Italian liqueur that adds a wonderful anise flavor to this cake, so it's worth seeking out. If you don't have it, substitute 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice plus 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. It lends a pleasant, albeit different, sort of flavor. 

Reprinted with permission from Fontana del Papa

Comments

06.07.2012 at10:45 AM #

Pam Hochman

This reminds me of a relatively well known New York Times Plum Torte recipe that my mother has used as her go-to cake for years. But this sounds better as it has some brandy in it! I substitute apples when the plums are out of season, so your pictures resonated with me

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/21/dining/216frex.html

06.07.2012 at10:45 AM #

Katie Morford

Yes, very similar, and I imagine this would be delicious made with butter in place of oil.

06.07.2012 at5:34 PM #

Jane McKay

I love the thought of diving in at breakfast too. Great looking cake!

06.07.2012 at5:34 PM #

Katie Morford

Thanks Jane!

06.08.2012 at5:26 AM #

Jeanne McKiernan

Such a simple recipe,yet enticing and versatile. Can’t wait to try it with nectarines or peaches.

06.08.2012 at5:26 AM #

Katie Morford

Thanks Jeanne. Let me know if you do and how it is.

06.09.2012 at6:30 AM #

Elias

Sounds great! One question. Did the original recipe use canola oil or olive oil? Thanks!!

06.09.2012 at6:30 AM #

Katie Morford

Good question. The original recipe calls for vegetable oil. I’ve also made it with a combination of canola and olive oil as well. I find using solely olive oil creates too dominant a flavor.

07.17.2012 at8:53 AM #

christine

This looks amazing. Our Gravensteins are just coming into season so I’ll try it with those–let me know if you ever need any Gravensteins. As you know, we have more than we know what to do with.

07.17.2012 at8:53 AM #

Katie Morford

Perfect. My juicebox applesauce recipe is also a great way to use up loads of apples, and no peeling!
P.S. Thanks for the offer. I never say no to free, farm-fresh, organic fruit.

08.29.2012 at6:32 AM #

Olivia Zarnack

Hello! Love your page – finally someone who cooks for & feeds “a family” with appropriately sized recipes. One suggestion – increase your font to 12 & change to black ink – we would all love to browse but very difficult to read. Thanks so much & have a great day!!

08.29.2012 at6:32 AM #

Katie Morford

Thanks Olivia. I’ve been playing around with the text and appreciate the input.

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