Homemade Italian Apple Cake (Torta di Mele)
Ingredients
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3 large apples (Golden Delicious or Granny Smith), peeled & thinly sliced
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3 large eggs, room temperature
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¾ cup sugar
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½ cup whole milk
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⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
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Zest of 1 lemon
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tbsp baking powder
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¼ tsp salt
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1 tsp cinnamon (optional, traditional versions are often without)
Instructions
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Prep the apples
Toss sliced apples with a little lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside. -
Mix wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until pale and slightly fluffy.
Add milk, oil (or butter), lemon zest, and vanilla. -
Add dry ingredients
Sift in flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
Mix just until smooth. -
Fold in apples
Gently fold most of the apples into the batter, reserving a few slices for topping. -
Bake
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan.
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Pour batter into pan and arrange reserved apples on top.
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Bake 45–55 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
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Cool & serve
Let cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve.
Serving Suggestions
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Warm with espresso ☕
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A scoop of vanilla gelato
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Light dusting of powdered sugar (very Italian)
Pro Tips
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Slice apples thin so they soften perfectly
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The cake gets even better the next day
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Want extra richness? Add 2 tbsp melted butter on top before baking
If you want a yogurt-based version, ricotta twist, or gluten-free adaptation, just let me know 😌