True Taste of Italy » dessert http://www.truetasteofitaly.com Authentic Italian Recipes Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:38:11 +0000 en hourly 1 Apple Cake http://www.truetasteofitaly.com/apple-cake-2/ http://www.truetasteofitaly.com/apple-cake-2/#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:22:41 +0000 admin http://www.truetasteofitaly.com/?p=236 Apple Cake (Torta di Mele) is a family favorite and is usually whipped up by mamma several nights a week when she comes to visit.  It is usually gobbled up immediately after dinner with only a few crumbs left behind.  We often like to enjoy it with a side of whipped cream either homemade or store bought.

Ingredients for Apple Cake:

  • 1¾ cups flour
  • ½ cup milk
  • 3 eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
  • ¼ teaspoon grated lemon rind
  • 1 tablespoon cake yeast
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
  • Powdered sugar

Directions for Apple Cake:

  • Combine flour, milk, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.  Add butter and stir to mix well.
  • Add lemon rind and cake yeast.  Mix until all ingredients blend well.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare round cake pan or bundt cake pan with non-stick spray.  Pour in cake batter and spread evenly in pan.  Place apple slices over batter and push some slices into batter.
  • Place in oven and bake about 40 minutes.  Insert toothpick into center of cake.  If it comes out clean, the cake is done.  If not, continue to bake until cooked completely.
  • Remove from oven and cool before removing from pan.  To enhance presentation, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Serves 4 to 6.

]]> http://www.truetasteofitaly.com/apple-cake-2/feed/ 3 Cinnamon Pear Tart http://www.truetasteofitaly.com/cinnamon-pear-tart/ http://www.truetasteofitaly.com/cinnamon-pear-tart/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2010 19:08:58 +0000 admin http://www.truetasteofitaly.com/?p=234 This Cinnamon Pear Tart (Torta di Pere alla Cannella) uses a key ingredient, cinnamon, that was treasured in ancient times.  It was used for medicinal purposes and flavoring for beverages and was considered to be more precious than gold.  In medieval Europe, cinnamon was a staple ingredient and the demand for it drove many explorers to travel to distant lands in search of it.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Pear Tart:

  • ½ cup flour
  • ¼ cup unsweetened apple juice
  • 2 tablespoons corn oil
  • 4 Bartlett pears
  • 4 sticks cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar, divided

Directions for Cinnamon Pear Tart:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Combine flour, a little salt, apple juice, and oil in a mixing bowl.  Stir to mix well until smooth, elastic texture appears.  Pour mixture onto parchment paper.  Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from refrigerator and roll out on lightly floured surface.  Place in buttered 9-inch tart pan.  Work dough so it covers bottom and sides evenly.
  • Place in oven about 15 minutes.  Remove and set aside.
  • Peel and slice pears.  Place slices from 2 of the pears in small pan with cinnamon sticks and sprinkle half of brown sugar.
  • Cook and stir over medium heat for 10 minutes or until pureed.  Remove cinnamon sticks and discard.
  • Fill crust with pear puree.  Arrange remaining sliced pears on top of puree.  Sprinkle with remaining brown sugar.
  • Place back in oven about 20 minutes.  Serve warm or cold.

Serves 4 to 6.

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