Published: · Modified: by Chef Dennis Littley
4.80 from 5 votes
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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.
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……
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
For one of the best apple cakes, you’ll ever have try my Torta de Mele! An apple butter cake will go perfectly with every meal or just as a snack!
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time35 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8
Calories: 243kcal
Author: Chef Dennis Littley
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
Nutrition
Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 92mg | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 445IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!
More Restaurant-Style Cakes
- Italian Cream Cake
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About Chef Dennis
Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home.For more details, check out his About page.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Asha
Sugar seems excessive in this recipe. Is that an error of 1 cup sugar when the flour is only 2/3 cup?
Reply
Chef Dennis Littley
that is the correct amount for this recipe, but you can reduce it to 3/4 cup
Reply
Asha
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
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 ,
MaryReply
Chef Dennis Littley
absolutely Mary. Here is the same cake using pineapple https://www.askchefdennis.com/pineapple-butter-cake-and-ask-chef-dennis/
Reply
Elaine
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!
Reply
Ioana
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.Reply
Elaine
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!Reply
Julie
This recipe sounds very good. What type of apples would work best in this cake? I was thinking of using Royal Gala apples. Thanks!
Reply
Chef Dennis Littley
any firm apple will work well, Gala is a good choice
Reply
Kimby
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+!)
Reply
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