La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life)

After a three-week-long voluntary boycott of our heavenly neighborhood Sicilian bakery (our heart rates were screaming from all the sugar) we decided it was time to create some of our own treats at home. At first it was simple, we did the common Nutella on toast, but this weekend it was time for something bigger and better.

After remembering an apple torte desert we had at a trattoria back during our TEFL course weeks I decided to do some internet research and see if I could find a recipe that sounded like it would be close. Bingo! Not only did I find an easy recipe, but it is delicious and tastes very near to the torte we had a few months back. While my first attempt turned out pretty good, I have some adjustments to make due to the measurement conversions (check out the pics), but I thought I’d share the recipe with everyone.
Let me know how you like it if you give it a try:

This Italian apple torte is easy to make, and delicious. Cooking the apples first helps concentrate the flavor and remove moisture, so the cake doesn't get soggy. The lemon zest, although only a half teaspoon is used, is an essential ingredient - you can really taste it in the apples.

1/2 cup (4 oz or 125 g) plus 1 Tbsp of unsalted butter
3 Renette or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into slices 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick
2/3 cup (3 1/2 oz or 105 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 whole eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (8 oz or 250 g) granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
confectioners' sugar (optional)

1 Preheat an oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously butter a 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan with 2 inch (5 cm) sides.

2 In a microwave, melt the butter. Pour 6 Tbsp (3 fl oz or 90 ml) of it into a small bowl or cup and set aside. Add the apple slices and the remaining butter to a large frying pan and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

3 In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the whole eggs and egg yolk until blended. Add the 6 Tbsp of melted butter, the vanilla, the granulated sugar, and the lemon zest. Stir in the flour mixture and the apples. Spoon into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.

4 Bake until browned, 30-35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Invert the cake onto a plate and lift off the pan, then invert the cake again onto the rack and let cool completely.

5 (Optional) Just before serving, place confectioners' sugar in a small sieve and dust the top of the cake.