This Italian Apple Cake (torta di mele) is tender, buttery, and studded with soft apple pieces and a hint of cinnamon. Made with creamy yogurt and a recipe handed down from my nonna, it’s perfect for a cozy breakfast, afternoon coffee, or a simple dessert. Warm, nostalgic, and easy to make—every slice tastes like home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Italian Apple Cake is a family favorite I grew up with. The aroma of cinnamon and apples instantly brings back memories of my nonna’s kitchen. It’s simple to prepare, soft in texture, and full of tender apple pieces that keep every bite moist and satisfying.
Kids and guests always ask for seconds, and it’s one of those reliable recipes that looks special despite being easy to make. I’m happy to share it with you—I hope it becomes part of your collection too.
Made With AmorE,
”This apple cake is so moist and delicious — a real crowd pleaser. It’s quick and easy to make, and you’ll want to bake it again and again!”
– LINDA
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Italian Apple Cake
- Recipe FAQ’s
- Serving Italian Apple Cake
- Expert Tips
- More Italian Dessert Recipes
- Italian Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- Apples: Use a firm baking apple that holds its shape when baked, such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Jonagold. For small apples use 4; for medium to large apples use about 2½–3.
- Yogurt: Full-fat plain yogurt gives the best texture and moisture. If you use low-fat, choose a good-quality brand without stabilizing fillers.
- Cinnamon: A touch of cinnamon enhances the apples; Ceylon or Saigon cinnamon both work well.
See recipe card for full ingredient quantities and details.
Substitutions and Variations
- Low-fat yogurt: It can work if the brand doesn’t contain stabilizers or fillers—full-fat yields the best result.
- Lemon twist: Swap some cinnamon for lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice for a fresh flavor.
- Other fruit: Try pears or bananas for a variation; the cake adapts well to different fruits.
- Gluten-free: Replace the flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
How to Make Italian Apple Cake
With a few simple steps and just one bowl, you can make a wonderfully moist Italian apple cake. The recipe card below contains exact measurements and timing.
- Cream the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Stir in the yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt, then add to the wet ingredients.
- Fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet ingredients until smooth, then fold in the diced apples.
- Transfer the batter to a prepared pan and bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack, dust with confectioner’s sugar, slice, and serve.
Recipe FAQ’s
Torta di mele is a classic, simple Italian apple cake—light, moist, and filled with apple pieces. It uses basic ingredients, takes only minutes to prepare, and always makes a lovely presentation.
Choose a firm baking apple such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Jonagold. These keep their texture in the oven and provide a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Dicing the apples gives small pockets of fruit in every bite. Slicing works too if you prefer larger pieces or want to arrange slices on top for decoration. Peeling is optional—apple skins add color and flavor.
A 9½–10 inch round pan or a springform pan works well. Let the cake cool completely before removing and slicing so it sets properly.
Common causes are underbaking, excessive leavening, inaccurate flour measurement, or opening the oven door during baking. Avoid opening the oven until the cake is nearly done and measure ingredients carefully.
Serving Italian Apple Cake
When the house fills with the scent of cinnamon and apples, this cake makes a perfect afternoon treat. It doesn’t need frosting—simply dust with confectioner’s sugar or cocoa powder and, if desired, serve slices with a spoonful of freshly whipped cream.
This cake often tastes even better the next day, making it ideal to bring to a gathering or a potluck. It pairs nicely with other Italian desserts and travels well.
My expert Tips
Expert Tips
- Don’t skip the yogurt. It keeps the cake moist and helps the cake rise tenderly, contributing to a soft crumb.
- Bring ingredients to room temperature before mixing for smoother incorporation and better texture.
- Pick a firm baking apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Jonagold. Dice for even distribution or slice for a decorative top.
- Adjust baking time by up to 10 minutes if the apples are very juicy—check with a toothpick for doneness.
More Italian Dessert Recipes
Italian Cream Crumb Cake (sbriciolata alla crema)
Pistachio Cream Crumb Cake (Sbriciolata)
Easy Strawberry Tiramisu
Lemon Tiramisu Recipe with Lemon Curd
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Italian Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large baking apples, peeled if desired, diced or sliced
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- ½ cup butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Line a 9½-inch round baking pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the sugar and eggs until pale and fluffy, about 5–8 minutes.
- Stir in the yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth using a spatula or fork.
- Sift the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt together, then add to the wet ingredients.
- Mix gently until combined, then fold in the apples. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 10 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack, dust with confectioner’s sugar, slice, and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Yogurt is essential. It keeps the cake moist and tender and helps with the cake’s structure.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more evenly and improve texture.
- Pick a firm apple so pieces hold their shape while baking.
- Juiciness of apples may affect baking time—add up to 10 minutes if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 257 kcal • Carbohydrates: 40 g • Protein: 4 g • Fat: 9 g • Sugar: 22 g
Nutrition information is an approximation.