Torta De Mele – Italian Apple Cake

Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Torta De Mele (Photo by Elizabeth Ann Quirino)

Filipinos love Italian food and love dessert. This Torta De Mele is a classic Italian cake recipe which uses apples of any variety. It is so easy to bake that one can make it anywhere in the world. I have baked this dessert in my American kitchen and when I visited family in the Philippines. Serve this warm with a side of vanilla ice cream. This is the perfect dessert to enjoy on a crisp, autumn day.

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter3 apples, peeled, cored, sliced2/3 cup flour½ tsp baking powder½ tsp salt2 whole eggs plus 1 egg yolk1 tsp vanilla extract1 cup granulated sugar½ tsp grated lemon zestConfectioners' sugar to sprinkle

Procedure

Preheat oven to 375° F degrees, grease a 9” round cake pan (or a rectangular 9 x 11 pan) with baking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
In a large skillet over low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter, reserve 6 tablespoons for later. Add the apple slices and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
In a small bowl mix together flour, salt and baking powder. In a large bowl, beat the whole eggs and egg yolks until blended. Add the butter, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest. Stir in flour and apples. Spoon into prepared pan, smoothing the top.
Bake until cake is browned, 30-35 minutes. Test for doneness by piercing the middle with a toothpick and if it comes clean, cake is done. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes.
Invert cake on a rack to cool completely. Remove the parchment paper. Invert cake on serving platter when it has cooled.
Before serving sprinkle with sugar. Serve cake topped with fresh whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.