My Torta di Mele is one of the best apple cakes you’ll ever have.
Today it gives me great pleasure to share with you a recipe taught to me by Mama Jeanette many years ago, it’s one of my favorite desserts, and it’s also one of the most reliable recipes I have.
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No matter who I share this recipe with; the results are always the same……Delicious, and every time I make this buttery apple cake, I think back to a simpler time and the days I spent with Mama Jeanette……
While we are making Italian desserts, be sure to try my delicious cannoli recipe and my cannoli cake. Soooo good.
The weather had changed that morning, it was the kind of day that really made you appreciate being alive. The air was cold and crisp, the cold wind held the scent of ripe apples from the nearby orchard, each breath felt like a gift from God.
Mama Jeanette said “Sonny Boy, let’s go pick us some apples” My mind went directly to a deep dish apple pie, but Mama Jeanette had other plans. As I peeled the Apples she explained we would be making a Torta di Mele, she went on to explain it was her mother’s recipe for an Italian Apple Cake that had been passed down through her family for generations, and now she was giving it to me.
That afternoon we sat by the fireplace, with a warm slice of apple cake and an espresso, it was a glorious day to be alive……and today my friends I’d like to pass along Mama Jeanette’s family recipe for Torta de Mele…….enjoy!
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Torta di Mele
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 large apples cut into slices
- ⅔ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large whole eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar to dust
Instructions
- preheat oven to 375, butter a 9” round cake pan
- In a large frying pan over low heat, melt the butter, reserve 6 tbs 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. Transfer to a wire rack to cool in pan for
- minutes. Invert cake onto plate to remove the pan and then invert again and return to rack to cool completely.
- Before serving dust with 10x sugar
Rebecca says
Chef Dennis…do you peel your apples for this dish? Would be nice to keep the nutritious skin intact…your suggestion?
Chef Dennis Littley says
I peel them, but you don’t have to. It’s a personal choice.
Donna Frey says
It was delicious. My husband said it tasted professionally made. I did make a few healthier modifications…I used only 2/3 sugar and 1 egg and 2 egg whites (instead of 1 egg and 1 yolk) along with only 4 tablespoons of butter in the mix (rather than 6). It was plenty sweet, moist, and buttery.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear your husband enjoyed the cake and you were able to make changes to suit your dietary needs.
Asha says
Sugar seems excessive in this recipe. Is that an error of 1 cup sugar when the flour is only 2/3 cup?
Chef Dennis Littley says
that is the correct amount for this recipe, but you can reduce it to 3/4 cup
Asha says
I finally got to make this recipe using 2/3 cup of sugar as I like desserts but not too sweet. It was absolutely delicious. I took it to an event and people commented that it tastes even better than it looks.
Thank you!
Mary B-MacL says
Dear Chef,
I recently discovered your site and I’m thrilled with all these wonderful looking recipes. today’s my birthday and I would like to make your torta do mele, however I would like to use sautéed pineapples is this a possibility? I like the fact that this recipe produce is such a beautiful and tall cake thanks again ,
Mary
Chef Dennis Littley says
absolutely Mary. Here is the same cake using pineapple https://www.askchefdennis.com/pineapple-butter-cake-and-ask-chef-dennis/
Elaine says
Chef Dennis – I fell in love with this recipe a year ago and it is great for small dinner parties. It is truly addictve and the cake is so much more than the sum of the individual components. My son is having a large gathering and we were wondering if 1. It could be made in a square pan or 2. A larger rectangular pan. Once again I seek your guidance. Thank you!
Ioana says
Mine was not this tall, but was absolutely delicious. Great, easy dessert for guests, or a snack with a cup of tea or coffee. Thanks for a great recipe.
Elaine says
I made this apple torte this afternoon for a last minute casual dinner with friends. I got it in the oven in about 15 minutes. It did not puff up much in the middle, and because I was in a rush, the bottom stuck to the pan. I decided to serve it right from the baking pan after dusting it lightly with sugar. It was so delicious and reminiscent of an apple cake from a fine French bakery, not too sweet and almost a custard like consistency. Next time I will be sure to grease the bottom of the pan better so I can serve it on a beautiful paper doily accompanied by some sliced strawberries or raspberries. Thanks for another wonderful recipe!
Julie says
This recipe sounds very good. What type of apples would work best in this cake? I was thinking of using Royal Gala apples. Thanks!
Chef Dennis Littley says
any firm apple will work well, Gala is a good choice
Kimby says
That’s great news, Dennis! (The chef hangout AND your guest post — plus a tasty cake, to boot.) Congrats on all of the above! (And thanks for your help w / G+!)