Torta de Mele is a traditional Italian apple cake with a tender crumb and incredible apple flavor.

Italian apple cake, also known as torta di mele, is a comforting dessert that is not only deliciously sweet – but is shockingly easy to make. In Italian kitchens, this cake isn’t just a yummy treat, but a testament to the country’s heritage. It relies on local produce and traditional, no-frills baking for a truly divine finished product.

The best part is that making Italian apple cake is easier than you might think. If you’re ready to experience all the scents and flavors of the Tuscan countryside, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients for Italian Apple Cake 

The ingredients for making Italian apple cake are quite simple. To make one cake, you’ll need the following:

• 3 large eggs
• 140 grams (just over 1 cup) white sugar 
• 120 ml (½ cup) extra-virgin olive oil
• 200 grams (1 cup) all-purpose flour (sifted)
• ⅛ tsp sea salt
• 600 grams (2 ½ cups) Honeycrisp apples, peeled and cored (roughly 3 medium-sized apples)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or substitute half of a vanilla pod, scraped in)
• 1 tbsp confectioner sugar 

If you can’t find Honeycrisp apples, that’s okay, but they’re highly recommended for this recipe. They impart just the right amount of sweetness and tartness for the perfect combination in the cake. Pink Lady or Cox apples are the best runners-up if you can’t find Honeycrisp. Apples with the firmest texture and sweetest flavor work the best. 

Another substitution you can make is the oil. You can use any other vegetable oil you have on hand or butter. Just use the same amount.

For flour, you can use all-purpose flour or a mixture of all-purpose and whole-wheat. Make sure you sift the flour before weighing it.

And finally, if you’d like to impart an even richer, nuttier flavor to your cake, feel free to add some hazelnuts, pine nuts, almond flakes, or pistachios into the batter. You can also add cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.

How to Make Italian Apple Cake

Preheat your oven to 180C/360F and position a rack in the middle. Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper.

Then, begin by beating the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and pale. This can be done with a whisk or an electric mixer. Continue by gently whisking in the olive oil and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Gradually add the sifted flour to the egg mixture and mix until just combined. Overmixing will lead to a denser texture, so you need to handle the batter with care.

Sprinkle the sea salt and baking powder over the batter, then gently fold them in until just mixed.

Add the apples, lemon zest, and chunks to the batter and mix gently until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Arrange the apple slices on top in a decorative pattern.

Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Be sure to keep an eye on the cake, as the exact baking times may vary depending on your oven.

Once it’s fully baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Before serving, dust the top of the cake with confectioner sugar for a sweet, snowy finish!

Serving Italian Apple Cake 

Once it’s cooled, you can store your Italian apple cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To maintain its freshness and texture, avoid refrigerating the cake – this can dry it out. 

It also freezes exceptionally well. After it’s cooled, slice it into portions and place them in freezer-friendly bags or containers. Frozen slices of cake can be easily defrosted in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for just a few hours. 

Italian apple cake is delicious on its own, but is also the perfect after-dinner treat when served with a cup of coffee and a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream. It can also be eaten as a hearty breakfast or snack. Consider pairing it with a bowl of Greek yogurt and some fruit for a balanced meal that even your kids are sure to love!

Yield: One 8'' Cake

Italian Apple Cake (Torta de Mele)

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Torta de Mele is a traditional Italian apple cake with a tender crumb and incredible apple flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 140 grams (just over 1 cup) white sugar
• 120 ml (½ cup) extra-virgin olive oil
• 200 grams (1 cup) all-purpose flour (sifted)
• ⅛ tsp sea salt
• 600 grams (2 ½ cups) Honeycrisp apples, peeled and cored (roughly 3 medium-sized apples)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or substitute half of a vanilla pod, scraped in)
• 1 tbsp confectioner sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180C/360F and position a rack in the middle. Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Beat the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and pale. This can be done with a whisk or an electric mixer. Continue by gently whisking in the olive oil and vanilla extract until it's fully incorporated.
3. Gradually add the sifted flour to the egg mixture and mix until just combined. 
4. Sprinkle the sea salt and baking powder over the batter, then gently fold them in until just mixed.
5. Add the apples, lemon zest, and chunks to the batter and mix gently until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Arrange the apple slices on top.
7. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. 
8. Once it's fully baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes. 
9. Carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Before serving, dust the top of the cake with confectioner sugar.

Apple Cake Recipes

Looking for more tasty homemade apple cakes?

• Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake
• French Apple Cake
• German Apple Cake