This to me is THE Apple Cake. It is the one I grew up with and it is delicious. It is also healthy, has it has no butter or oil or any added fat. Italian readers might have already guessed, it comes from an old recipe book that my grandmother owned: le ricette di Petronilla.
Petronilla was an Italian doctor that used to write about cooking and nutrition. The book is interesting not only because some of the recipes, like this apple cake, are truly delicious, but also because it is a window on another lifestyle. For example, in this cake the butter is omitted to make the cake cheaper rather than to make it healthier.
Anyway, hope you will try it!
Ingredients
- 3 apples
- 2 eggs
- 2.75 oz. all purpose flour
- 2.75 oz. whole wheat flour
- 5 oz. sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 drop vanilla extract
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup milk
- pinch of salt
Directions
- Beat the eggs with the sugar until they puff up and double in volume.
- Add the flour, the baking powder, the vanilla extract and enough milk to make the batter smooth, but not quite fluid.
- Add 1 apple cut in small slivers to the batter.
- Pour half the batter in a buttered cake pan and layer with apple slices.
- Cover with the rest of the batter and top with more apple slices.
- Bake in the oven at 375F for about 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through (toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean).
- By the way, I substituted half the flour with whole wheat one, but the original recipe is made with just AP flour.
Notes
adapted from Petronilla's recipes
Hi! I'm PolaM, the Italian cooking in the Midwest.
I am in love with this cake! I am overrun with apples right now, this is perfect.
Dara recently posted..Chicken Apple and Cranberry Salad
I’ve never made apple cake before but thinking of making it this year for the first time as I know my son really loves apples. Thanks for your inspiration and I love the top of the cake – so cute having apple decoration!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Clam Soup | Clam Miso Soup あさりの味噌汁
Ciao, Bella e sana questa tua torta di mele!
Mila recently posted..Polpo in crema di ceci e salsa al rosmarino
Even though I grew up in Italy, I had never heard of Petronilla before. How interesting, thanks for the good and healthy recipe.
Nuts about food recently posted..Happy Halloween and what to do with leftover chocolate: milk-chocolate cornflake brownies
Love it! And I love the light in your picture.
Paolo @ DisgracesOnTheMenu recently posted..Pasticcini, Italian Fine Pastries
Ooh I have never heard of this cake before but I have a feeling I am going to love making and eating it.
Great recipe Pola!
I love how those apples beautifully decorated the cake. Made it look delicious. Have a good weekend, Pola!
wok with ray recently posted..Pork Menudo
Hello Pola,
I love the fact that the recipe has no butter or oil. I like to use apple puree or apple butter for natural sweetness and that also helps to moisten the cake. Loved your healthy recipe.
Vijitha recently posted..Kid’s lunch box meal : Brown rice – Chicken cakes / patties with chilli mayo
This looks really lovely. I’ve got a surfeit of apples at the moment, so I’ve bookmarked this post for future reference!
Frank @Memorie di Angelina recently posted..On Authenticity
That is one beautiful apple cake!! I love your presentation.
Ramona recently posted..Chocolate and Peanut Butter Frosted Rice Krispies Treats
Perfetta !
complimenti ciao
stefania recently posted..pork belly Italian style
How interesting! I hadn’t heard of Petronilla before, I assumed that it was a girl’s name
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Nine Layer Nachos Sliders!
It is a girl’s name. The real name of Petronilla was Amalia and was one of the first woman doctor in Italy.
That is such a beautiful cake! I really love this recipe and the simplicity of it. I could easily make this with rice milk for my SIL as a great dairy free dessert too!!
The Farmers Wife recently posted..Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Bars
I love the fact that this recipe has no butter or oil. Interesting that was done to make a cheaper cake. I bought tons of apples from a farm stand this past weekend on the way back from a drive to Shenandoah for fall foliage. Guess who’s making this cake soon…
Hyosun Ro recently posted..Hobak Gochujang Jjigae (Korean Spicy Zucchini Stew)
I made this cake today for my niece and nephew who were visiting. It was really easy to make and turned out great. The kids loved it!
Hyosun Ro recently posted..Slow Cooked Pork Belly with Bulgogi Sauce and Giveaway
I’m so glad to hear it! I loved this cake as a kid and still do!!
Perfect – beautiful and simple.
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