Torta di Mele (Italian Apple Cake)

Torta di mele is a classic Italian homemade treat.

Use Golden Delicious apples; their flavor, consistency and moisture level are perfect for this cake.

INGREDIENTS:

• 700g Golden Delicious apples, peeled and sliced thinly.
• Juice of one lemon
• Zest of one lemon
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup (one stick) butter, softened
• 1 cup whole milk
• 200 g sugar (1 cup)
• 250 g flour (1 and 3/4 cup)
• 1 pouch Pane degli Angeli* (or substitute 1 teaspoon baking soda)

*Pane degli Angeli is an Italian leavening agent lightly sweetened with vanilla.

It is a common ingredient in many Italian baked goods.

If you decide to buy some, search Amazon or another online gourmet foods vendor for “Lievito Pane degli Angeli.”

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. Butter and flour a 9″ or 10″ round cake pan, preferably a springform pan. Set aside.
3. Core, peel and thinly slice the apples, and place them into a bowl.
4. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the apples. Stir and let rest.
5. Beat the eggs and sugar with a mixer on high speed for 5 minutes, until the mixture is light and airy.
6. Warm the butter until it is very soft but not melted and add it to the eggs and sugar, along with the milk and the zest of one lemon.
7. Stir in the butter, milk and lemon zest.
8. If you use Pane degli Angeli, pass it through a small strainer, such as a tea strainer, to eliminate any small clumps, and add it to the batter.
9. If you use baking soda, add it now.
10. Add the flour, and fold the dry ingredients gently into into the batter, taking care not to over-stir.
11. Add the apples and mix carefully until coated.
12. Pour the batter into your buttered and floured pan.
13. Arrange slices of apple around the top surface of the cake, and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
14. If you wish, turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end of cooking in order to give the top a golden brown color.
15. Serve warm or at room temperature for dessert, with afternoon coffee, or even for breakfast.

Source and pictures: http://duespaghetti.com/category/food/desserts-sweets/page/14/

BUON MANGIATA!