Apples, Vegetarian

No butter apple cake – Torta di mele senza burro

Is there anything better than a delicious apple cake made without butter? Yes! The same cake made with the only use of one 1/2 cup! Read the recipe and find out how to make what in my family we call the "small jar apple cake" as the ingredients can be measured with the same small jar (equivalent to 1/2 cup)!

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 hour and 10 min

$3-5 total*

6-8 people

Ingredients

3 x 1/2 cup (200 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled-off
2 x 1/2 cup (I know, this is 1 cup 🙂 – 220 g) granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling over cake
1/2 cup (110 g) safflower oil
1/2 cup (120 g) plain yogurt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 eggs, room temperature
3 apples
1/2 lemon, juiced

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.

Peel, core, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 of the 3 apples. Peel, core and cut into slices the other apple. This latter will serve as a decoration on top of the cake. Set aside and sprinkle with some lemon juice (this will prevent the apples from turning dark).

Separate the egg whites from the yolks and place the whites in a mixing bowl. With electric beaters or a standing mixer, beat the egg whites at medium speed until they become stiff (do not overbeat them). Gently place the egg whites in another container.

In the same mixing bowl, add the egg yolks and sugar, and mix them for about 2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the mixing bowl to incorporate all the sugar and eggs. The batter will look very grainy at this point.

Add the yogurt and oil to the batter. Beat well for about 2 minutes.

Add the flour and the baking powder, and mix on low speed until just combined.

With a spoon or spatula, fold in the 2 chopped apples.

Add the egg whites to the batter and fold gently, making movements from the bottom of the bowl and then up and over the batter. Do not stir the batter as this would ruin the beaten egg whites.

Grease a 9-inch (22 cm) springform or regular cake pan with oil or nonstick cooking spray, line the bottom with parchment paper, and grease again on top of the paper.

Scrape the batter into the pan and even the top. Place the slices of apple as a decoration and sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.

Bake for 50 min or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool the cake on a rack and then remove it from the springform or cake pan by running a knife around the edges of the cake. Place on a platter and serve.