If you are looking for an alternative to apple pie, ‘Tuscan Apple Cake‘ is the one to try! Sometimes called ‘Italian Apple Cake’, this rustic apple cake from Tuscany is unbelievably easy to make — and yet so DELICIOUS!
You will be surprised how DELICIOUS this cake is – especially once you realize how simple it is to make. The hardest part is probably the peeling and slicing of the apples (seriously!). Tuscan Apple Cake or ‘Torta di mele’ in Italian has become my go-to apple dessert since I discovered it during our Toscana vacation, back in summer of 2014.
You do not need fancy ingredients to prepare this cake either. Admittedly, I sometimes add liquor, but nowadays, I just stick to the base ingredients and then I drink my sweet wine with it – Vin Santo. 😀
As for the type of apple to use, I have always used red apples for Italian Apple Cake. I honestly don’t think the green ones would work in this case. Well, maybe you could add more sugar to balance the tangy flavor, but still, there is a vast difference in sweetness coming from sugar and sweetness coming from a fruit, right? (duh). Nah, call me ‘old school’, I will stick to my red apples. 🙂
Oh! One last thing, if your oven is one of those that’s only got heat coming from the top, make sure you place your baking pan on the lower part of your oven, not the middle. We used to have one of those and I would always forget until I notice how fast the sides are turning brown. Annoying.
Give this cake a try — especially if you like apple pie, this is a good alternative. To be honest, I have stopped making apple pie since I started making this cake. Tuscan Apple Cake is just easier to prepare and involves less waiting time, but just as YUMMY! 🙂
If you are looking for more autumn desserts, check out Tuscan Chestnut Cake — another treat from Tuscany!
Sometimes referred to as 'Italian Apple Cake', this traditional treat from Tuscany is so easy to make -- and yet so DELICIOUS! Recipe VIDEO below.
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup sugar (plus 1/2 tsp for dusting)
- 1 & 3/4 cup flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 lemon, grated zest
- 3 apples, peeled and cored
- 25 grams butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
- 1 tsp powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
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Cut one apple into small cubes and the rest into thin slices. Set aside.
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Preheat oven to 180 degrees-C (350 degrees-F). Grease and flour an 8-inch baking pan.
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Beat eggs and sugar together until the mixture turns pale yellow. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, milk and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly.
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Pour the mixture into the greased (and floured) baking pan.
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Add cubed apples on the mixture and arrange the thin slices of apple on top.
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Sprinkle the apples with ½ tsp sugar. Add the bits of butter randomly.
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Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes, until the top has slightly turned golden. The sides will be the first portion to turn dark, that is normal.
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Take pan out of the oven and set aside to cool.
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Sprinkle with powdered sugar (if desired). Serve.
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