Apple-Fig Cake (Torta di Mele)

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Torta di Mele, or Apple-Fig Cake, is a dessert that's easy enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for parties. Top the apple cake recipe with a mascarpone-honey mixture for a rich, Italian-inspired finish.

Apple-Fig Cake (Torta di Mele)
Photo: Kritsada Panichgul
Prep Time:
30 mins
Bake Time:
35 mins
Cool Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
12

Ingredients

  • 2 medium tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (2 cups)

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped crystallized ginger

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup butter, melted

  • 3 egg yolks

  • 2 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

  • 3 egg whites

  • cup honey

  • 6 fresh figs,* thinly sliced

  • ½ cup mascarpone cheese

  • 2 tablespoon honey

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan; set aside.

  2. In a medium bowl combine apple slices, the 1 tablespoon sugar, the lemon juice, and ginger. Set aside.

  3. In a large bowl combine the 1/2 cup sugar, the melted butter, egg yolks, and vanilla; beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed about 2 minutes or until thick and light yellow. Add flour, baking powder, and salt, beating just until combined. Set aside.

  4. Wash beaters thoroughly. In a separate medium bowl beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed just until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Stir about one-third of the beaten egg whites into the flour mixture to lighten. Fold the remaining egg whites into flour mixture. Drizzle the 1/3 cup honey over batter; fold in until combined.

  5. Spoon half of the batter into the prepared springform pan, spreading evenly. Top with half of the apple mixture. Spoon the remaining batter over apples, spreading to cover apples. Top the batter with the remaining apple mixture (discard any lemon juice remaining in bowl). Arrange fig slices over apples.

  6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until top of cake is evenly golden brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes (center may dip slightly). Loosen and remove sides of springform pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

  7. In a small bowl stir together mascarpone cheese and the 2 tablespoons honey. Serve cake with mascarpone mixture.

*

If you can't find fresh figs, use dried Mission figs instead. In a small saucepan heat 1 cup brandy or apple juice just until simmering. Remove from heat. Add dried figs; let stand for 20 minutes. Drain well, discarding liquid. Slice figs.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

281 Calories
13g Fat
39g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 281
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 79mg 26%
Sodium 255mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 2.4mg 12%
Calcium 101mg 8%
Iron 1.1mg 6%
Potassium 131mg 3%
Folate, total 28.2mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.1mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.1mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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