Apple Cake with Orange Cream

The Apple Cake with Orange Cream is a delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of apples with the fresh, citrusy aroma of orange. Here is the recipe with the ingredients and the procedure:

Ingredients

• 3 apples (Golden or Renette, depending on preference)
• 200 grams of 00 flour
• 120 grams of granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 100 grams of melted butter
• 1 packet of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 orange (juice and grated zest)
• 200 ml of fresh liquid cream
• 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar

For the orange cream:

• 2 egg yolks
• 50 grams of sugar
• 20 grams of flour
• 150 ml of orange juice (preferably fresh)
• Grated zest of 1 orange
• 50 ml of milk
• 1 tablespoon of butter

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the orange cream: in a saucepan, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until you obtain a light and frothy mixture.
2. Add the sifted flour, stirring to avoid lumps.
3. Gradually incorporate the orange juice, milk, and grated zest.
4. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and cook the cream, stirring continuously until it thickens.
5. Remove the cream from the heat, add a tablespoon of butter, and mix well. Let it cool, covering with plastic wrap in contact to prevent a skin from forming.

For the cake base:

1. Preheat the oven to 180° C and butter and flour a cake pan.
2. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until you obtain a puffy and frothy mixture.
3. Add the melted butter, the juice, and the grated zest of an orange, continuing to mix.
4. Combine the sifted flour, baking powder, and the pinch of salt, mixing carefully so as not to deflate the mixture.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Peel and slice the apples into thin wedges, arranging them on the surface of the cake.
6. Bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool.

For the finishing:

1. Whip the fresh cream with the 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar until it reaches a firm consistency.
2. Spread the cold orange cream on the surface of the cooled cake.
3. Decorate with the whipped cream using a piping bag.

Trivia

This cake is a perfect marriage between Italian cuisine and a love for citrus flavors. The combination of apple and orange makes the dessert ideal for every season, thanks to the freshness of the orange and the comforting texture of the apple cake. Additionally, the orange cream can also be used in other desserts such as cream puffs or tarts.