Soft and Delicious Simple Italian Apple Cake (one bowl)- torta a le mele, a simple moist dessert, breakfast, or served as an afternoon tea cake. It's made with creamy yogurt, butter, and fresh apples with a bit of cinnamon for spice.
This is a recipe the entire family will love. Every Italian Nonna has a recipe for apple cake, and here is my nonna's recipe for you!
You will also love these easy and simple cakes Soft Italian Chocolate Cake (torta al ciocolato), Easy Italian Pear Cake (Torta di Pere), and Easy Almond Sponge Cake with Italian Cream.
Simple Italian Apple Cake (one bowl)
After years of making this family recipe, this is a tried and true recipe everyone loves. Italian Apple Cake, also known as Torta di Mele, or torta alle mele is a moist and slightly cake that is perfectly sweetened.
You will also love these Italian desserts- Chiacchiere di Carnevale Recipe (Italian Fried Pastries), Zeppole Recipe (Easy Italian Donuts), and Traditional Panettone Recipe (Italian Christmas Cake).
Classic Italian Dessert- Simple Italian Apple Cake (one bowl)
Italian desserts are made with simple ingredients. They aren’t too sweet and make the perfect sweet bite indulgence without the guilt.
Rarely will you see frosting or ice cream served with any authentic Italian cake. Occasionally, you will see a dusting of powdered sugar or cacao and a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
This cake is fluffy, lightly sweetened, and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth craving without leaving you feeling too heavy. Enjoy!
Simple Ingredients
- Apples
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Sugar
- Eggs (room temperature)
- Yogurt
- Butter
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon
- Salt
See the recipe card for quantities.
You likely have all of these ingredients to make this cake today!
How to make Simple Italian Apple Cake (one bowl) Step by Step
With a few simple steps and only one bowl, you are on your way to enjoying the most delicious Italian apple cake!
When the kids come home from school and the house smells of cinnamon and apples they know what's coming! It is a perfect afternoon snack. It is simple to make and easy to enjoy!
What’s a 'torta di mele'?
Torta di mele is an easy Italian apple cake that my nonna and many other nonnas make all the time! Why everyone loves this recipe:
- It’s light and fluffy and packed full of apple slices.
- There are only a few ingredients and very simple ingredients.
- It only takes 10 minutes to prepare, but it looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
- It is always a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t like apple cake?
What Apples are Best for Cakes?
- Honeycrisp, the crisp texture is guaranteed to hold firm.
- Pink Lady balanced between sweet and tart. It will retain its distinct shape when used in this cake.
- Granny Smith apples are always a safe bet as far as a baking apple.
- Jonagold tart with a honeyed sweetness; Jonagolds hold up exceptionally well in the oven.
The number of apples changes a bit depending on the size.
- Small apples about 4.
- Medium apples, about 3.
- Large apples, about 2 ½.
Cutting apples for Simple Italian Apple Cake
I love to dice my apples into small pieces. I like to get plenty of apples in every bite, and this gives the best apple-to-cake ratio! You can certainly cut them into slices if you want bigger pieces.
You can also decorate the top with pretty apple slices to show the cake has an apple in it. I sometimes take this extra step when taking it to a neighbor or friend. I use the diced apple pieces to make it just for us at home.
It is also easier for the children to eat it this way since the apples are already cut small. Either way, it is delicious!
The secret to Adding Yogurt to Italian Cakes
What does yogurt do in a cake? Yogurt adds moisture and fat to a cake batter, making the cake moist. A cake baked with yogurt is never dry. It's always so soft, moist, and absolutely delicious. That is one secret to this super moist Italian apple cake.
Another bonus to adding yogurt to cakes is the acidity of the yogurt works with the baking powder to leaven the cake and make it extra tall and super fluffy.
You don't taste the yogurt at all! It is a secret weapon to add moistness and help your cake rise!
Substitutions for this Simple Italian Apple Cake
Low-Fat Yogurt
It depends! Low-fat dairy products are often filled with "junk" to stabilize the texture. As long as the brand of non-fat yogurt doesn't have any fillers, it will work fine. One brand I recommend is Chobani nonfat yogurt as an alternative.
Gluten-Free Option
If you are making this simple Italian apple cake gluten-free, you can use this flour, and it will turn out delicious!
Cake pan recommendation
I like to use a springform pan so it is easy to take out the cake. You can use a regular 9.5/10-inch round pan as well.
Make sure to let the cake cool completely after baking and before slicing. It is worth the wait to let the cake set! This cake is even better the next day.
Go ahead... let your guests think you spent all day making this apple cake. It will be your go-to for bringing to a dinner party since it is easy to transport.
Cake Baking Question: Why Do Cakes Sink in the Middle?
Let me explain this to the baking scientist out there who has come up with all the possible reasons why your cake might sink in the middle! This is something that is far too common, and there are a variety of reasons for this baking disaster. These reasons are explained by, Chelsey from this post on ChelSweets:
- UNDER BAKED. The most common reason why cakes sink in the middle is that they're underbaked. If a cake isn't fully baked through, the center doesn't have a chance to set and it will sink. This creates a doughy, dense texture in the center of your cake layer.
- TOO MUCH LEAVENING. Too much leavening agent like baking soda or powder can cause a cake to rise too high too quickly. The gas from the leavening agents builds up and escapes before the cake bakes through in the center.
- This causes the center to collapse and makes your cake layers sink in the middle. Another reason is- the leaving is expired and the cake couldn't rise properly.
- NOT WEIGHING THE FLOUR. A gram is always a gram, but a cup is not always a cup. When in doubt, measure your ingredients by grams to ensure the correct ratios.
- OPENING THE OVEN DOOR. If the oven door is opened and slammed after it’s opened, it can cause partially baked cakes to sink in the middle.
- If the center isn’t set as the oven door is slammed, it can collapse and won’t be able to rise properly again. Opening the oven door will also cause a draft and decrease in the temperature in inside of the oven.
Source: ChelSweets.
From my cucina to your table... Mangia! Mangia! (Eat!)
Made with Amore, Elena
More Italian Desserts you will love
- Kefir Honey Panna Cotta Italian Recipe (Easy)
- Italian Crostata Recipe (Jam filled Tart)
- Easy Almond Sponge Cake with Italian Cream
- Vanilla Cake Roll with Cream and Berries
- Italian Crumble Cake with Jam Filling
- Puff Pastry filled with Italian Cream
- Easy Italian Pear Cake (Torta con le Pere) Easy
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I know you will love this Easy Italian Apple Cake Recipe! It is one we make often at home!
Make sure to leave a ⭐️star rating on the recipe card and comment below if you make the recipe. I love to connect with you through my recipes.
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Print
Simple Italian Apple Cake (one bowl)
Easy Italian Apple Cake (torta a le mele), a simple moist dessert, breakfast, or served as an afternoon tea cake. Made with creamy yogurt, butter, and fresh apples with a little cinnamon for spice. This is a recipe the entire family will love. Every Italian Nonna has a recipe for this recipe and here is my nonna's for you!
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 large peeled (if desired) apples, cut into pieces
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons (14 g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon (pinch) kosher salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- ½ cup (113 g) butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon (2 g) vanilla extract
- Confectioner sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Line a 9.5 inch round baking pan with parchment paper, or spray with cooking spray. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F
- In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the sugar and eggs until you obtain a creamy and fluffy texture. About 5-8 minutes.
- Stir in the yogurt, butter, and vanilla extract. Use a fork or spatula to combine until smooth (not the electric mixer).
- In a separated bowl mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until well combined. Add the apples and mix gently. Place the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean*. If the cake starts to brown too much on top tent with the top with foil during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Cool and dust cake with confectioner sugar. If desired, serve with freshly whipped cream. Enjoy!
Notes
*The moisture of the apples may vary the cooking time a bit. You may need to add 10 minutes depending on how juicy the apples are.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Sweet
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: apple, cake, easy cake, one bowl cake, yogurt, butter, cinnamon, Italian cake, Italian recipe, apple cake, dessert
Ekaterina Parkinson says
This was so delicious and easy! I usually mess things up and am stuck eating it alone but everyone wanted more apple cake! Thanks for sharing your recipes 🙂
★★★★★
Elena says
So happy you and the family loved it!
Barbara says
Delicious and very easy to make. Looked fabulous and was gone in a flash. I added a bit of whipping cream on top … yum!
I used a slightly smaller pan as it was all I had and I should have cooked it just as bit longer. No one complained!
★★★★★
Elena says
I am so happy you love this easy and delicious apple cake
★★★★★
Elena says
This is a tried and true recipe that we make often. The kids love it and I hope you will too!
★★★★★
Katrina+Smith says
Such a great, simple cake! I made it gluten free and it turned out perfect! Thanks so much, Elena.
★★★★★
Elena says
I love that you made it gluten free! It is a staple in our home. The kids also love the pear cake version.
Patty says
Use the parchment paper. Mine did not loosen from the pan with just cooking spray.
Patty says
I take it back. It will come out of the pan with cooking spray. Just wait till almost cooled, about an hour.
🙃
Elena says
Happy it went well for you!
Mary says
I love making the simple yet delicious cake. It’s so moist and yummy and the house smells so good when it’s baking. Love love love this recipe ♥️♥️🍎🍎
★★★★★
Elena says
We love this recipe to for the same reasons! I think you will like the pear version as well! Enjoy.
Roberta says
I tried another recipe like this with 3 teaspoons of baking powder and it was so salty we had to throw it away. Why so much baking powder? And where is the lemon? Traditional Italian Apple Cake has a lemony flavor
Elena says
Ciao Roberta, you should try this recipe with the recommended baking powder. It acts as an leavening agent with the acid in the yogurt. It is one of the most popular cake recipes. I am from Sardegna, and we use a lot of lemon in desserts, but I've never had lemon with apple. If you like it, you are welcome to add it. You may also like the lemon loaf cake. Enjoy, Elena.
Danielle Gaeta says
Simple and unbelievably delicious! Whole family loved it! Definitely will make this again!
★★★★★
Elena says
It is simple, yet super delcious. Happy everyone enjoyed it!
Danielle V. Gaeta says
So simple and so delicious! The whole family loved this cake. Definitely will make again!
★★★★★
Elena says
It is an easy one to make often! Enjoy.
Saroj Corr says
LOVED this recipe ! So simple yet so moist and delicious 💚🍏
Elena says
Thank you! Happy you loved it.
lauren says
such a yummy cake! it makes a great breakfast too! love that it’s not overly sweet
★★★★★
Elena says
It makes a great breakfast cake! Happy you loved the recipe.
Tae says
Delicious and easy recipe! You really can’t mess this up. I did. I don’t think I mixed the sugar and eggs enough but it still turned out amazing. Kids and husband approved!! Going on the regular dessert rotation.
★★★★★
Elena says
Happy you loved it! This cake is on rotation in our home as well. Enjoy.
Katherine says
Love this cake recipe, simple and yummy! My toddler loves to help make it in the kitchen!
★★★★★
Elena says
It is a great one to make with kids since it is so simple!
Andrew Sobel says
awesome recipe. worked up and cooked up exactly as Elena said. i used some almond flour and it worked great. super light, moist and not too sweet. perfect fall recipe.
★★★★★
Elena says
Happy you loved it, Andrew. It is a recipe we make often!
Lisa says
I made this for my family this weekend for dessert and followed your recipe exactly and it was amazing. Definitely a keeper. I didn't have a round cake pan (or spring form pan) so I used a 8 x 8 square glass baking pan and it came out perfectly with the temperature and time listed for baking. So good! Only regret is that I didn't double the recipe so I would have leftovers for the week - the family wiped me out! Next time. Ha. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Elena says
This is one of our family favorites! No leftovers here either, ha!
Cecilia says
Easiest and most delicious cake! I love all of Elena's recipes and I'm trying a couple for Thanksgiving dinner.
★★★★★
Elena says
I'm happy you loved the recipe! I hope to bring many more to your table.
Andrea DiGiovanni says
I discovered this recipe about a month ago. It has already become a favorite of my friends and family. I have made it 3 times. The ingredients go so well together with a touch of sweetness. This is by far the best tasting cake and can be brought to any occasion.
★★★★★
Elena says
Andrea- I am thrilled you loved the recipe. It is a family treasure. I hope you can share it with friends and family for years to come.
Cheryll says
Could you use sour cream instead of yogurt?
Elena says
Yes, make sure there are no fillers or it will change the consistency. Enjoy.
Aud says
Oh my gosh so good! Takes me longer than stated due to food prep but my family and I are now obsessed. I’ve made it three times!!
★★★★★
Elena says
So happy you loved it! It is a family favorite.
Sania says
This was amazing!!! I didn't have all purpose flour on me so instead I used white whole wheat and used about 1.25 cups instead of the full 2 to avoid it from becoming dry. I baked it for around 50 minutes and it's just amazing! probably the best cake I ever made
★★★★★
Elena says
Hi Sania, happy you loved it. It is a family favorite here too!