Nigella Italian Apple Cake is a moist cake made with apples, lemon, eggs, and olive oil. This sweet and tangy cake takes about 55 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 16 people.
What Is Nigella Italian Apple Cake?
Nigella Italian Apple Cake is a delicious dessert featuring a moist cake filled with both diced and grated apples, enhanced with lemon zest and juice. This baked delight balances sweet and tart flavors, commonly topped with powdered sugar for added sweetness.
What Type Of Apples Are Best For Nigella Italian Apple Cake?
The type of apples that are best for Nigella Italian apple cake are firm and tart varieties such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Honeycrisp. These apples hold their shape during baking and provide a delightful balance of sweetness and acidity to the cake.
Nigella Italian Apple Cake Ingredients
- 3 medium apples
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup milk (2% or whole)
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups flour (455 grams)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for sprinkling)
- powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
How To Make Nigella Italian Apple Cake
- Set oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Prepare a regular-sized bundt pan by greasing it with butter or cooking spray and setting it aside to cool.
- Get three apples, peel them, and core them. Cube two apples to about half an inch in size. Take a box grater and use the larger holes to grind one of the apples. Toss the apples in a medium bowl with the lemon juice and zest (about 2 tablespoons for the juice and 1 teaspoon for the zest), then set aside.
- Eggs and sugar should be mixed together in a big bowl. Beat with a hand mixer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until frothy. The color of the combination should be very light. Mix in the olive oil, milk, and vanilla until everything is well distributed. Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt until everything is well combined.
- Mix in the apples by folding them into the batter. The cake batter should be poured into the ready baking dish. Two tablespoons of sugar should be scattered over the cake.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes on the oven’s middle rack. When the cake begins to separate from its sides, you’ll know it’s ready. A toothpick put into the center of the cake should come out mostly clean, with the exception of a few crumbs. After 10 minutes, turn the cake out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling it in the pan.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top of the cake once it has cooled fully.
Recipe Tips
- Use a variety of apples: To enhance the flavor and texture of the cake, use a combination of different apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. This will add depth and complexity to the overall taste.
- Don’t skip the lemon zest and juice: The addition of lemon zest and juice adds a bright, citrusy note to the cake and helps to balance the sweetness of the apples. It brings a refreshing element to the dessert.
- Fold the apples gently: When incorporating the diced and grated apples into the batter, fold them gently to avoid overmixing. This will help maintain the texture and prevent the apples from becoming mushy.
- Grease the bundt pan thoroughly: Ensure the bundt pan is well-greased with butter or cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking. This will make it easier to remove the cake from the pan once it’s baked.
- Sprinkle sugar for added crunch: Sprinkling sugar on top of the cake before baking creates a delightfully crunchy crust. It adds a pleasant texture contrast to the softness of the cake.
- Allow the cake to cool before serving: After removing the cake from the oven, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. This will prevent the cake from breaking apart and allow it to set properly before serving.
What Goes Well With Italian Apple Cake?
Italian Apple Cake pairs well with a variety of accompaniments. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast. A warm cup of coffee or a fragrant cup of tea also complements the cake beautifully.
What Is The Best Way To Keep Leftover Italian Apple Cake Fresh?
- In The Fridge: Refrigerate any leftover Italian Apple Cake for 4 to 5 days. Seal it in plastic wrap or an airtight container to keep it fresh.
- In The Freezer: Leftover Italian Apple Cake keeps well in the freezer for 4 months. Put it in a freezer-safe container or wrap it in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. The cake needs to defrost in the fridge overnight before it can be served.
How To Reheat Italian Apple Cake?
- Microwave: Place a slice of Italian apple cake on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it for 20-30 seconds on high power.
- Oven: Turn on the oven to 350°F (175°C). Put Italian apple cake on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil to keep it moist, and heat for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 320°F (160°C), place Italian apple cake slices in a single layer in the basket, and heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until warmed through.
FAQs
What is the difference between Italian apple cake and Italian apple pie?
The main difference between Italian apple cake and Italian apple pie is the crust. Italian apple cake typically has a soft and moist cake-like texture, while Italian apple pie has a flaky pastry crust encasing the apple filling.
How long to bake Italian apple cake?
Italian apple cake usually takes around 40 to 50 minutes to bake. However, baking times may vary depending on your oven, so it’s important to check for doneness using a toothpick.
Can I use a different type of pan instead of a bundt pan for Italian apple cake?
Yes, you can use a different type of pan for Italian apple cake such as a round cake pan or a square baking dish. Just ensure that the pan is well-greased and adjust the baking time accordingly as different pans may require different baking times.
Can I serve the Italian apple cake warm?
Yes, you can serve the Italian apple cake warm or at room temperature. It is delicious when served fresh from the oven, but also holds up well for serving later.
How to make moist Italian apple cake?
To make a moist Italian apple cake, ensure to use a combination of diced and grated apples, incorporate them gently into the batter, and don’t overmix. This helps retain moisture and texture in the cake.
Why is the Italian apple cake dense?
The Italian apple cake may be dense due to overmixing the batter, using too much flour, or not incorporating enough air during the mixing process.
How do you fix dry Italian apple cake?
To fix a dry Italian apple cake, you can brush it with a simple syrup or glaze to add dampness. Alternatively, serve it with a sauce, whipped cream, or ice cream to enhance its moistness and flavor.
Why did my Italian apple cake fall?
Your Italian apple cake may fall due to opening the oven door during baking, underbaking, or using too much baking powder or baking soda.
Italian Apple Cake Nigella Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 210.4
- Total Fat 2.0 g
- Saturated Fat 0.6 g
- Cholesterol 61.8 mg
- Sodium 245.3 mg
- Potassium 75.0 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 46.7 g
- Dietary Fiber 3.7 g
- Sugars 27.0 g
- Protein 3.9 g
- Vitamin A 2.7 %
- Vitamin C 5.5 %
- Calcium 1.7 %
- Iron 2.9 %
Are You Looking For Best Nigella Lawson Cookbooks ? Here Are Top 5 Best Seller Nigella Lawson Cookbooks You Should Have:
- At My Table: A Celebration of Home Cooking
- Nigella Express: 130 Recipes for Good Food, Fast
- Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes, and Stories (recommended)
- Nigellissima: Easy Italian-Inspired Recipes
- Nigella Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home
Italian Apple Cake Nigella
Description
Nigella Italian Apple Cake is made with apples, lemon, eggs, and olive oil. This sweet and tangy cake takes about 55 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 16 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Set oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Prepare a regular-sized bundt pan by greasing it with butter or cooking spray and setting it aside to cool.
- Get three apples, peel them, and core them. Cube two apples to about half an inch in size. Take a box grater and use the larger holes to grind one of the apples. Toss the apples in a medium bowl with the lemon juice and zest (about 2 tablespoons for the juice and 1 teaspoon for the zest), then set aside.
- Eggs and sugar should be mixed together in a big bowl. Beat with a hand mixer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until frothy. The color of the combination should be very light. Mix in the olive oil, milk, and vanilla until everything is well distributed. Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt until everything is well combined.
- Mix in the apples by folding them into the batter. The cake batter should be poured into the ready baking dish. Two tablespoons of sugar should be scattered over the cake.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes on the oven’s middle rack. When the cake begins to separate from its sides, you’ll know it’s ready. A toothpick put into the center of the cake should come out mostly clean, with the exception of a few crumbs. After 10 minutes, turn the cake out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling it in the pan.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top of the cake once it has cooled fully.
Notes
- Use a variety of apples: To enhance the flavor and texture of the cake, use a combination of different apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. This will add depth and complexity to the overall taste.
- Don’t skip the lemon zest and juice: The addition of lemon zest and juice adds a bright, citrusy note to the cake and helps to balance the sweetness of the apples. It brings a refreshing element to the dessert.
- Fold the apples gently: When incorporating the diced and grated apples into the batter, fold them gently to avoid overmixing. This will help maintain the texture and prevent the apples from becoming mushy.
- Grease the bundt pan thoroughly: Ensure the bundt pan is well-greased with butter or cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking. This will make it easier to remove the cake from the pan once it’s baked.
- Sprinkle sugar for added crunch: Sprinkling sugar on top of the cake before baking creates a delightfully crunchy crust. It adds a pleasant texture contrast to the softness of the cake.
- Allow the cake to cool before serving: After removing the cake from the oven, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. This will prevent the cake from breaking apart and allow it to set properly before serving.