GRANDMA ROSA'S APPLE CAKE (Lidia Bastianich)

By zircon50

Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pan
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Pinch kosher salt
• Zest of 1 lemon, grated
• 3 baking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (I used Granny Smith)
• 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (I used pecans)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8- or 9-inch springform pan.

In electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and white sugar until pale and light, about 1 minute. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until light and fluffy, another minute or two. Beat in vanilla.

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Pour dry ingredients into mixer with the lemon zest, and mix until just combined. In medium bowl, toss together apples, brown sugar and nuts. Scrape batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and then sprinkle with the apple mixture.

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake, about 35 to 40 minutes. (My cake took 45 minutes.) Let cool on a rack, then unmold and cut into wedges.

Serves 8.