Torta Della Nona Apple Cake

Creator:

Lorenza de’Medici

In Advance:

Preheat oven to 350º

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 6 TB unsalted butter at room temperature plus one for the pan
  • 1 extra large egg
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 cup ground almonds
  • 2 cups flour
  • 4 golden delicious apples, peeled, cored, and grated ( processor)
  • 1/3 cup raisins soaked in white wine for 30 minutes and drained
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 1/3 cup blackberry or blueberry jam ( or other dark jam)
  • 18 amaretti (large cookies in red Lazzaroni tin)

Recipe:

  1. Using food processor fitted with metal blade, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
  2. Add egg, baking powder, ground almonds, and flour. Process with brief pulses until crumbly.
  3. Coat an 8 inch springform pan with the tablespoon of butter. Cover the bottom and sides with two-thirds of the crumbled dough, patting it firmly and evenly
  4. In a large bowl combine the apples, raisins, pine nuts, and amaretti.
  5. Fill the shell with the apple mixture and sprinkle the remaining crumble on top.

Notes: 

  • Bake for 1 hour or until the crust is golden and the filling is set. If the crumble starts to brown too much, cover with aluminum foil.
  • Let cool.
  • To serve remove sides and carefully slide onto plate. Serve warm or at room temperature. Not too sweet – good for breakfast
  • Make sure that the butter is not too soft.
  • This can be made with any fruit you like. Apple is common because it has so little juice.