Apple Cake Italian-Style — Moist, simple, great for dessert or snack | Total time: about 1 hour 15 minutes (includes baking and cool)
Short introduction
This Apple Cake Italian-Style is a soft, moist cake full of apple pieces and warm cinnamon. It is an easy home-style cake you can make without special tools. The cake is inspired by simple Italian torta di mele — it tastes fresh, tender, and not too sweet. You can make it for family dessert, tea, or a breakfast treat.
Why you’ll love it
- Simple ingredients you likely have at home.
- Soft crumb with juicy apple bits in every bite.
- Easy to mix by hand or with a mixer.
- Great for kids, guests, or potlucks.
- Keeps well and reheats nicely.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups peeled and diced apples
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Substitutions & key variations
- Flour: Use half whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor (may make cake denser).
- Sugar: Swap 1 cup granulated sugar for 1 cup brown sugar for more moisture and deeper flavor.
- Butter: Use equal amount vegetable oil for a lighter, moister cake (reduce milk by 2 tablespoons).
- Milk: Substitute with almond milk or oat milk for dairy-free option.
- Apples: Use firm baking apples like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala. Bartlett pears also work.
- Spices: Add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom for a different aroma.
- Add-ins: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or raisins for texture.
Step-by-step
Step 1 — Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Peel and dice the apples and set aside.
Step 2 — Cream butter and sugar; add eggs
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
Step 3 — Mix dry ingredients
In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Step 4 — Combine batter
Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
Step 5 — Add apples and bake
Fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.
Success tips (temperature, texture, common mistakes)
- Butter temperature: Use room-temperature butter. Too cold and it won’t cream; too warm and the batter will be greasy.
- Mixing: Do not overmix once you add flour. Overmixing makes the cake tough.
- Apples: Dice apples evenly so they bake at the same rate. Shake off excess juice if apples are very wet.
- Oven temp: Preheat fully to 350°F (175°C). Use an oven thermometer if your oven runs hot or cold.
- Toothpick test: Insert in center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Cooling: Let the cake cool at least 15–20 minutes before slicing so it sets and slices cleanly.
How to serve
Serve slices plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A drizzle of honey or a lightly sweetened whipped cream also pairs well. For breakfast, spread a little butter or ricotta on a slice.
Storage & reheating
- Room temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep wrapped or in a container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm slices in the microwave for 15–25 seconds or in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 8–10 minutes until just warm.
introduction
why make this recipe
how to make Apple Cake Italian-Style
Ingredients :
3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 4 cups peeled and diced apples, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions :
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan., 2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy., 3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla., 4. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture., 5. Fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed., 6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top., 7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean., 8. Allow to cool before serving.
how to serve Apple Cake Italian-Style
how to store Apple Cake Italian-Style
tips to make Apple Cake Italian-Style
variation (if any)
FAQs (minimum three FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use different apples?
A: Yes. Use firm apples like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala for best texture. Softer apples may make the cake more moist.
Q: Can I freeze the cake?
A: Yes. Wrap slices or the whole cake tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Q: How do I know when the cake is done?
A: Insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Q: Can I make this in a round pan instead of 9×13?
A: Yes. Use a 9-inch round pan and check baking time sooner; it may need less time (about 35–45 minutes).
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Nutrition notes / equivalents (optional)
- This recipe is a home-style cake and does not list precise nutrition per serving here. For lighter option, reduce sugar to 1 1/2 cups and use low-fat milk.
- Equivalents: 1 cup butter = 227 g; 1 cup flour ≈ 120 g; 1 tablespoon baking powder ≈ 14 g.
Conclusion + CTA
This Apple Cake Italian-Style is a simple, comforting cake that works for dessert, snack, or brunch. Try it once and you’ll find it easy to change with your favorite apples and spices. For a variation and an Italian take on a moist apple cake, see this recipe for more ideas: Italian Apple Cake – Torta di Mele. Make it this weekend and share a slice with someone.
Links to related recipes
- Classic Coffee Cake
- Simple Pear Upside-Down Cake
- Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
Apple Cake Italian-Style
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Bring butter to room temperature.
- 2 cups granulated sugar Can substitute 1 cup for brown sugar.
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup milk Can substitute with almond or oat milk.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit
- 4 cups peeled and diced apples Use firm baking apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Peel and dice the apples and set aside.
Mixing Batter
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
Baking
- Fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool before serving.