Easy Italian Apple Cake

Name: Italian Apple Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients: 2-3 medium apples ((chopped medium or large)); Juice from half a lemon ((or 1 tablespoon if you want less lemon taste)); 2 eggs; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup regular yogurt ((not flavoured)); 1/2 cup vegetable oil ((I use corn oil)); 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour; 2 tablespoons corn starch; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; pinch salt; zest 1/2 lemon; 2-3 tablespoons powdered / icing sugar ((for dusting on the cake))

July 24, 2019 By Rosemary 51 Comments

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Italian Apple Cake, a moist soft full of chopped apples anytime cake. A perfect Breakfast, Snack or even Dessert Cake. All it needs is a dusting of powdered sugar!

Italian Apple Cake

I once asked the Italian what in his opinion was National Cake of Italy. He promptly answered “Ciambellone”, with my kids nodding their heads in agreement.

What is an Italian Ciambellone?

If you translate the word Ciambellone you have “Big Donut”, or in other words a Bundt Cake. Simple as that.

So what does this Apple Cake have to do with a Ciambellone? Well this is basically a Ciambellone with apples. And believe me everyone knows how to make an Apple Cake in Italy.

How to make an Apple Cake

In a medium bowl add the chopped apples and sprinkle with the lemon juice.
In a large bowl beat the eggs and sugar until creamy and light approximately 3-4 minutes.
Then add the yogurt and oil, sift the flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda and salt directly into the bowl add the zest, then beat until combined.
Fold in the apples, spoon into the prepared cake pan, sprinkle with a couple of tablespoons of granulated sugar and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes.
Let cool completely before removing from pan.
Give it a real Italian touch and dust it with a little powdered sugar.

What makes this Apple Cake Italian?

I actually got this recipe years ago from a friend. So to start this is an Italian Cake because it’s an Italian’s Recipe!!

Most Italian cakes are made with oil instead of butter.
The flour is always sifted with the baking powder.
90 percent of the time lemon is an added ingredient. Just as it is in this Apple Cake. And because Italians cannot live without lemon!
The finished cake is rarely drizzled or frosted unless of course you are making a birthday cake or a Tiramisu.
Most Italian cakes are dusted with powdered sugar.
These types of cakes are often served at Breakfast and as a snack with an espresso.
The perfect cake to serve when a friend comes to visit.

This cake can be made with one bowl, just sift your ingredients directly into the batter like all Italians do.

Can the Apple Cake be Frozen?

Yes this cake can be frozen, just make sure to completely cool the cake and wrap it tightly in plastic then place in an airtight freezer bag. The cake will keep up to 3 months in the freezer.

How to make the best Apple Cake

Since I have a few extra people in the house this week, I decided to make the cake a couple of times. The first time I made it with 3 apples and chopped on the larger size and I used the juice of half a lemon.

My eldest daughter who is not a big lemon lover, only on her fish and in her water! And never in a dessert, decided she could taste too much lemon.

So I decided to make a second cake with only two apples and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. She obviously preferred the second where the rest of us preferred the first.

So you decide more apples and more lemon juice or less? Enjoy!

How to Store a Homemade Apple Cake

The apple cake should be stored in an airtight container in a cool area, it will keep for two to three days. Or you can store it in the fridge for up to five days.

If your house is warm then it is best stored in the fridge, just remove the cake from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.

The best apples for baking

I personally like to use either a Fuji or Royal Gala although a Granny Smith if you like a tartness, or how about a Jonathon or Jonagold, Cortland or Honeycrisp, any of these apples are perfect for baking. Just make sure they are fresh and crisp.

More Delicious Apple Recipes

Apple Crumb Bread with Maple Caramel Sauce

Cinnamon Applesauce Cookies

Homemade Italian Apple Crostata

Homemade Apple Pie Cookies

So if you are looking for a delicious Fall Apple Cake then I hope you give this a try and let me know what you think. Enjoy!