Buttery Apple Torte

Buttery Italian Apple Torte! This light single layer cake is filled with apple slices that have been cooked in butter.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated May 04, 2023
Elise Bauer
Buttery Apple Torte
Elise Bauer

This Italian apple torte is easy to make, and delicious! It's light and springy and loaded with apple slices.

The key is to first cook the apple slices in butter before adding them to the batter. Not only do the apples get infused with buttery flavor, pre-cooking them helps remove moisture, so the cake doesn't get soggy.

Here's a tip, don't leave out the zest! The lemon zest, although only a half teaspoon is used, is an essential ingredient—it helps brighten the flavor of the cake.

Buttery Apple Torte

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 60 mins
Servings 8 servings

Adapted from Savoring Italy by Michele Scicolone.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons, 1 stick, 4 ounces, or 125g) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 3 Fuji, Jonagold, or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into slices 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick

  • 2/3 cup (3 1/2 ounces or 105g) all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 3/4 cup (6 ounces or 185g) granulated sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

    Generously butter an 8- or 9-inch (23cm) round cake pan with 2 inch (5cm) sides. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and butter the top of it as well.

    Elise Bauer
  2. Cook the apple slices:

    Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Pour 6 tablespoons (3 ounces or 90ml) of it into a small bowl or cup and set aside.

    Add the apple slices and the remaining butter to a large frying pan and cook on medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

    Elise Bauer
  3. Make the batter:

    In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the whole eggs and egg yolk until blended.

    Add the 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the vanilla, the granulated sugar, and the lemon zest.

    Stir in the flour mixture and the apples.

    Elise Bauer
  4. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan:

    Smooth out the top.

    Elise Bauer
  5. Bake:

    Bake at 375°F 30 to 35 minutes. The cake is done when it is browned, and when you press into the top, it bounces back. After about 20 minutes of baking or so, if the top is getting well browned, tent the cake with aluminum foil.

    Elise Bauer

    Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes.

    Invert the cake onto a plate and lift off the pan, then invert the cake again onto the rack and let cool completely.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
333 Calories
16g Fat
44g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 333
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 20%
Saturated Fat 9g 44%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 193mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 32g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 42mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 126mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.