Apple and cherry pie .... what memories! When I was a kid I used to spend summers with my grandparents in Slovenia, where my grandmother used to make me find this fabulous cake for tea! It is easy to prepare and tastes of fresh fruit. Just what we needed during a hot summer! Have you noticed that at this time of year, in markets and supermarkets, as well as on street corners, it's easy to find baskets full of delicious red cherries for just a few euros a kilo? How can you resist? Just yesterday I came across one of these baskets overflowing with cherries and I took home a good kilo of fruit, full of excitement about the cake I’m going to describe to you today. Making it together with my grandmother Fani was even more exciting: we relived all those memories and, while waiting for the cake to finish cooking, we laughed and joked together just like the old days. Those memories will always be with me, as well as the unique flavour and aroma of this cake which will always be really special.
* approximate values per serving
Stone the cherries and, with 3 tablespoons of sugar, cook them in a saucepan over a low heat. With an electric hand whisk, beat the sugar with the softened butter. Add in sequence the lemon zest, rum, baking powder, eggs and vanilla sugar. Now, a tablespoon at a time, add the flour to the mixture. Peel an apple and cut it into cubes, then add it to the cake mixture. In a buttered cake tin, spread out a layer of the batter with a spoon and cover with half the cherries. Now make a second layer of dough and cover again with cherries. Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes and your apple and cherry cake will be ready!
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Stone the cherries
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Caramelise the cherries in a saucepan with a little sugar
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Beat together the butter and sugar with an electric whisk
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Grate some lemon zest into the butter and sugar
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Add a drop of rum
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Add a little baking powder
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Add the eggs to the cake mix
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Add a teaspoon of vanilla to the cake mix
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Add the flour a tablespoon at a time
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Peel the apples and dice them
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Our chef and his grandmother cook together
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Add the pieces of apple to the cake mix
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Transfer half the cake mix to a well-greased cake tin
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Add a few caramelised cherries to the cake mixture
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Cover the cherries with the other half of the cake mix
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Decorate with a few cherries sprinkled over the top
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Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes
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Here is the cake just out of the oven. Leave it to cool and then sprinkle over some icing sugar.
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This fabulous cake is ready!
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To give a crunchy and flavorful touch to the Cherry and Apple Cake, the batter can be enriched with raisins or chopped nuts. These ingredients not only add a new dimension of flavor but also a pleasant texture. To use raisins, simply soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the batter. If you opt for nuts, it is advisable to lightly toast them in a pan to enhance their flavor. This variation is perfect for those who love rustic cakes and want a dessert that combines the sweetness of fruit with the crunchiness of dried fruit. Don't forget to adjust the amount of sugar according to your personal taste, as the nuts can contribute to a more intense flavor.
The Cherry and Apple Cake in its original Friulian version is a simple yet rich-flavored dessert. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, this preparation is often served on special occasions and during festivities. The traditional recipe calls for the use of local apples, which give a unique and authentic taste. Another distinctive feature is the addition of a pinch of cinnamon in the batter, which enriches the aroma and flavor of the cake. In this variation, fresh seasonal cherries can also be used, making the cake even juicier and more inviting. Served with a dusting of powdered sugar, the cake becomes a perfect dessert to conclude a meal beautifully.
For those seeking a lighter version of the Cherry and Apple Cake, it is possible to replace the butter with a healthier alternative, such as seed oil or Greek yogurt. This light preparation maintains the softness and flavor of the original dessert while reducing the caloric content. Using yogurt, the cake will also be moister and fluffier. Additionally, the amounts of sugar can be reduced, taking advantage of the natural sweetness of cherries and apples. This variation is ideal for those following a balanced diet but who do not want to give up a good dessert. The Light Cherry and Apple Cake is perfect for a healthy snack or as a dessert after a meal, without guilt.
The Cherry and Apple Cake is not only a delicious dessert but also a relatively healthy option thanks to the beneficial properties of these fruits. Cherries are rich in antioxidants, which help combat cellular aging and keep the immune system healthy. They are also a good source of vitamin C and potassium. Apples, on the other hand, are famous for their fiber content, which promotes digestion and helps keep cholesterol levels in check. A serving of Cherry and Apple Cake contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used. Incorporating these fruits into the diet can contribute to a healthy eating pattern, making each bite not only a pleasure but also an opportunity to take care of one's well-being.
Yes, it is possible to freeze the Cherry and Apple Cake to preserve it for a longer time. To do this, it is advisable to let the cake cool completely before wrapping it in plastic wrap or placing it in a freezer-safe food bag. This way, frost formation is avoided, and the organoleptic characteristics of the dessert are preserved. The cake can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you want to enjoy it, simply take it out of the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours. Alternatively, it can be warmed in the oven for a few minutes to restore its softness. This solution is ideal for those who love to prepare desserts in advance and always have a treat ready for any occasion.