Italian Apple Cake

Takes 60 minutes | Serves 8 |

Ingredients

125 g all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
0.25 teaspoon salt
115 g unsalted butter
130 g granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons Amaretto
3 apples baking apples
1 optional powdered sugar

Steps

Cake Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and position an oven rack in the middle. Grease a 23-cm (9-inch) springform or regular cake pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. If using a regular pan, line the bottom with parchment paper and grease it again.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 130 g of granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Mix in the vanilla and Amaretto.
• Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Fold in the chopped apples using a rubber spatula.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
• Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool on a rack in the pan. Once cool, run a blunt knife around the edges. If using a springform pan, remove the sides. For a regular pan, carefully invert the cake onto a rack, remove the parchment, then flip the cake right-side-up onto a platter.
• Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired. The cake can be served warm or at room temperature, plain or with lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.