Easy Italian Apple Cake (Torta Di Mele)

Ingredients

• 1 cup self-raising flour ((Alternatively, use all-purpose flour and add 2 teaspoons baking powder.))
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 lemon (rind and juice)
• 3 large eggs (lightly beaten)
• 4.5 ounces butter (melted (1/2 cup or a stick - alternatively, use 1/2 cup oil))
• 4 apples ((Or 2.5 to 4 apples that hold shape well, depending on size, peeled & sliced thinly))
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 3/4 cup pine nuts (1/2 cup in batter, 1/4 cup on top - optional)
• Icing sugar for sprinkling at the end
• icing sugar for sprinkling over the top
• cream, ice cream or custard (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Pre-heat oven.: Pre-heat the oven to 355F / 180C (fan oven).

2. 2

   Prepare pan.: Line an 8 inch round cake pan with baking paper and lightly grease with butter or spray with oil.

3. 3

   Pour lemon juice over chopped apples.: Zest and juice the lemon and set the zest aside. Put the chopped apples in a small bowl and pour the lemon juice over them.

4. 4

   Mix all ingredients together (reserving 1/3 of the apples) and stir until just combined.: Combine the flour, sugar and lemon zest together in a large bowl, then add the eggs, melted butter, cinnamon & pine nuts (if using) and 2/3 of the apples. Stir until just combined.

5. 5

   Empty batter into cake pan, arrange apples and pine nuts on top.: Tip the batter into the cake pan and smooth on top, then arrange the rest of the sliced apples on the top in a circle pattern (see photos in post and recipe video). Sprinkle over extra cinnamon (optional) and the rest of the pine nuts (if using).

6. 6

   Bake until skewer comes out clean.: Bake for about 1 hour, or until a skewer pushed into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Check after 45 minutes, then every 5 minutes after that.

7. 7

   Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve.: Cool, then sprinkle with a bit of icing sugar before serving. Serve slightly warm or cold alone or with ice cream or whipped cream.